PixInsight - Master Calibration Files

Master Flat Calibration Frames Part I

updated: updated: 2021-08-20

Purpose

Master flat frame generation is a two-step procedure. First we must calibrate each flat frame with the IC tool. Then we have to integrate the calibrated flat frames to generate the master flat.

Flat frame calibration requires bias and dark subtraction. After selecting our flat frames as target frames in IC, we'll enable the Master Bias and Master Dark sections.

In the Master Dark section, be sure to enable the Optimize checkbox. This will rescale the master-bias-subtracted master dark to fit the thermal noise of each flat frame. Don't worry if your master dark has 1000 seconds of exposure and your flat frame is only 10 seconds: IC will multiply the thermal noise of the master dark by 0.01.

Activation

Process 🡺 All Processes 🡺 Image Integration

Input

Flat calibration frames (folder e.g.: "\_Astro\ASI294 Calibration\Config 3\20191022_Flat ASI294 -10C"

Output

Calibrated flat files (folder: e.g.: "\_Astro\ASI294 Calibration\Config 3\20191022_Flat ASI294 -10C\Calibrated Flats"

calibrated flat files will get a "*_c" postfix

Previous Step

Image Integration

Next Step

Master Flat Generation II

Tutorial

PixInsight — Master Calibration Frames: Acquisition and Processing

Step

Description

Action

1

Open the Image Calibration module

2

Add Flat frames

Take care to use the same exposure, temperature and optical configuration as used for the light frames.

3

Section Output Files

use subfolder "\Calibrated Flats" from same path of the flat frames

4

Integrate the Master Bias frames

  • use the master bias frame from the previous step
  • Do no check the Calibrate box, this is for old CCD cameras.



5

Integrate the Master Dark frames

  • use the master bias frame from the previous step

6

Uncheck the Master Flat box

7

Run the Calibration Step I

Click on the (Apply Global) or hit F6


8

Calibrated Flat Files

  • are stored in the path defined in step 3


9

Next Step: Master Flat  Generation II

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