Step 5: Noise Reduction

PixInsight
Linear Image Quality Enhancements

updated: 2025-10-26

Purpose	Light frames typically contain a lot of noise from the sensor electronics, as well as from atmospheric and interstellar dust. The aim of this step is therefore to reduce noise and smooth the background in particular, without degrading the structures and details of, for example, the clouds or galaxies captured.
PixInsight Release:	newer than version 1.8.9-2 / build 1604
Input	The deconvoluted image from the previous step
Output	A color calibrated image
Previous Step	Step 5: Noise Reduction
Alternatives	There are several noise reduction and background enhancement alternatives available in PixInsight. The AI-based tool NoiseXTerminator is recommended for its ease of use and excellent noise reduction capabilities. NoiseXTerminator (NX) GraXpert Denoise (GXDN) Automatic Background Extraction (ABE) Dynamic Background Extraction (DBE) Background Neutralization (BN) Multiscale Linear Transform (MLT) Background Improvement with Histogram Transfer (BIHT) Topaz Labs DeNoise AI Noise Reduction
Next Steps	Step 6: Separating Stars and DSO Objects or De-Linearize the Image

Created with the Personal Edition of HelpNDoc: Produce online help for Qt applications