hartley_test2

When processing a long exposure multiple sub frame shot of a fast moving comet you are usually faced with the decision of either stacking and aligning the sub frames on the comet and getting trailing stars or stacking/aligning on the stars and getting a trailing comet. The free software Deep sky stacker (DSS) has a star freeze method that will attempt to give you non trailing stars and comet but it may not always work out.  So in this case you are faced with a processing challenge. Below I briefly outline my method. The Comet Hartley image comprised of 29x 3min subframes totalling 1hr and 27min. with the QHY-8 and Astro-Tech 8in RC. To start the process, you will have to create two stacked images with DSS. 

 

hartley_beforeDBE

 

 

This is a result of getting DSS to stack on the stars using sigma clip. Basically it is stacked as though it's a typical astro image ignoring the fact that a comet is in the field. The stack is then stretched and colour corrected in Photoshop.

 

hartley_CometStack

 

 

This is the result of a DSS stack that was run using the comet stacking mode and Sigma Clip option. In DSS you may have to manually locate the comet in each frame. The resulting stack will show a comet that is sharp and a background field that is blurred with obvious banding from star trails. The stack is then stretched and colour corrected in Photoshop. Side note: 3 min sub frames was too long for this focal length so the core of the comet was elongated. I minimized it's appearance by using the "shift darken" technique. 

 

hartley_afterDBE

 

 

Now Stack 1 and 2 will be combined and processed together but both images need some further cleaning up. After processing Stack 1 you are left with a green fuzzy patch. To get rid of that simply run it through Pixinsight using the dynamic background extraction tool (or use whatever method you prefer) in order to get rid of gradients and the remnants of the comet. The result of it is seen above. Then clean up Stack 2 by applying noels horizontal or vertical banding removal action to remove the blurred star trails. If the trails or banding happens to not be vertical or horizontal simply rotate to either orientation and run the appropriate banding removal action. After running the action and the background is free of banding or trails, rotate it back to the original orientation when done. 

 

 

To combine Stack 1 and 2 simply add them together in screen mode in Photoshop. Providing you make sure they are in their original orientation and didn't crop the image  they should line up accurately. If not, overlay a reference frame to nudge the comet frame into the accurate position. Finally create a new layer with the merged stacks and apply your finishing touches to the image. 

 

hartley_test2