====== Before 'n After ======

{{ :image-1.jpg.jpeg?nolink&200|}}The Seestar is an amazingly capable instrument that can produce in seconds images of deep sky objects (aka DSOs).

However, the nature of almost invisible celestial objects, and thanks to sensitive modern CMOS digital cameras such as the Sony IMX462MC in the Seestar, means that the data we collect is mostly dark signals. Indeed, an unprocessed image can look almost completely black.

Happily, the Seestar can dig the details out of the dark end of the histogram and do the work to present us with surprisingly good images right out of the camera (images on the left). But with [[:post-processing|post-processing]] software and [[https://youtu.be/lMoSAHOgbD4?feature=shared|clever techniques]] we can transform that image into something spectacular (images on the right) that you can have professionally printed and hang on the wall ((COSTCO has a deal with Shutterfly that gives you 51% off listed prices and free shipping)).

Here is a collection of before and after images that demonstrate how surprisingly good images right out of the Seestar are, and how, with knowledge, effort, and talent they can be turned into treasures.

Upload your own before n' after images! See step by step guide [[image_upload|here]]

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M42 by Patrick Jandard\\
61 minutes, 10s subs\\
Stacked and post processed with PixInsight, minor touch up with Photoshop
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Moon by Scott Bass\\
Captured with Hestia, processed with AstroEdit.   
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Dumbbell Nebula (M27) by Oliver Hext\\
953 x 10 Subs (158 minutes). Bortle 7..\\
Siril>GraXpert>Siril>LightRoom.   
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Sombrero Galaxy (M104) by Tom Harnish\\
22 minutes, very tight crop to emphasize noise\\
Processed with [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/astroedit-simple-and-quick/id6478158736|AstroEdit]]'s new AI Denoise
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The Leo triplet (M66) by Patrick Jandard\\
120 minutes of 10s subs\\
SeeStar stacked with PixInsight\\
Processed with PixInsight. Minor touch with PS
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The Hercules Cluster (M13)) by Patrick Jandard\\
50 minutes of 10s subs\\
SeeStar stacked with PixInsight\\
Processed with PixInsight. Minor touch with PS
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Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) by Ian Hagan\\
30 minutes of 10s subs\\
SeeStar stacked fits file\\
Processed with PixInsight and ON1PhotoRaw 2024
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Trifid Nebula (M20) by Matthew McPherson\\
357 X 10s (32 min)\\
Stacked and stretched in Siril
Processing in Photoshop
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Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) by Matthew McPherson\\
57 minutes\\
Stacked and stretched in Siril\\
Curves, denoise, and starmask processing in Photoshop\\
Additional curves (luminosity) in Snapseed for mobile posting
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Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396) by Patrick Jandard\\
96 minutes, 10s subs\\
Stacked and post processed with PixInsight, minor touch up with Photoshop
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The Hercules Cluster (M13)) by Tom Harnish\\
40 minutes of 10s subs\\
Stacked in PixInsight + StatisticalStretch script
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