PixInsight 
Linear Image Quality Enhancements

Step 6: Optional: Separating Stars and DSO Objects

 

updated: 2026-02-15


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.

This can best be achieved by separating the stars and DSO objects (nebulae, galaxies) into two separate images and processing them separately.

PixInsight Release:

newer than version 1.8.9-2 / build 1604

Previous Step

Step 5: Noise Reduction

Enhanced Linear Image from previous step

The noise reduced image from the previous step

Process Alternatives

Both alternatives generate similar results:

Output

Two separate images:

Output 1: Starless Image (identifier: Cloud, postfix: *_Cloud)

Output 2: Star Image (identifier: Stars, postfix: *_Stars)

Set the image identifier to e.g. Cloud:

Set the image identifier to e.g. Stars:

Next Step

Step 7: Enhancing the DSO (Cloud) Image






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