Astrophotography processing and the underlying workflow play a significant role in the final image. Of course, good data is always the foundation – and data that doesn’t exist cannot be created by any workflow or software in the world.
This becomes especially evident when I revisit old data. This time as well—I reprocessed the data of the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula from 2021.
Specifically, I loaded the integrated data from the 2024 processing into PixInsight again and ran it through my “standard RGB workflow.”
Detail comparison
I find the gain in detail incredible and worth a comparison. In my workflow, which is primarily optimized for RGB images, significantly more details and stars become visible without making them appear bloated.
My OSC/RGB Workflow in PixInsight
Processing in PixInsight is by no means rigid – it is more of an experimentation with various tools and methods. That’s why I don’t want to promote a fixed recipe for the perfect image here. Not to mention that I wouldn’t be the right person for that anyway.
However, I would like to list the truly relevant tools and improvements from the past few months in my PixInsight process here and say a few words about them.
Background Extraction / Gradient Removal
For gradient removal, I have been using the version of GraXpert that is now available as a PixInsight process for quite some time.
Color Calibration
For color calibration, I have been using the PixInsight process “Spectrophotometric Color Calibration” since its release.
It is important to select the appropriate filters when using this process. This is particularly crucial when using Duo-Narrowband filters.
As a prerequisite for this color calibration, an astrometric solution is required. The quality – or success – of the astrometric solution can be positively influenced in advance by using BlurXTerminator with the ‘Correct only’ option.
Deconvolution
In recent years, BlurXTerminator from Russell Croman has been THE absolute game-changer in this area.
This addon alone justifies the reprocessing of older astrophotos.
Star Removal
In my opinion, an important step toward better astrophotography processing is the separation of star and nebula data to allow for independent editing.
I use StarXTerminator and have had extremely good experiences with it. StarNet++ would probably work very well too.
Noise Reduction
NoiseXTerminator is definitely another addon by Russell Croman that has revolutionized the astrophotography world. The AI has just been released in its latest and further improved version—producing incredible results!
Enhancing Details
For the past few weeks, I have added the “Local Histogram Equalization” process to my PixInsight RGB workflow, and I’ve become truly enthusiastic about it.
I often use this three times in a row, each time with finer detail settings.
Sharpening Details
For sharpening details, I use a combination of the “UnsharpMask” and “Multiscale Linear Transform” processes, applying them to the luminance component.
Stretching the Stars
I now stretch the stars using the SetiAstro script “Star Stretch”. I’m impressed with the results. In rare cases, I combine this script with the “StarReduction” script by Mike Cranfield.
