Official StarTools support forum

I recently upgraded my iMac to an Apple Studio, using an M1 Max processor. So far, no problems of any kind with StarTools.

Russ

Hi Ivo, I was delighted to read your comments. Until now, I haven't been able to find any useful advice on how to achieve Rector's recommendations: balancing scientific accuracy with aesthetic appeal. In fact, among amateur imagers I've found zero interest in accurate documentation of the chemical c...

These images and text were uploaded to Astrobin this morning. NGC 1955: An LMC Nebula Revealed This is an experiment, so comments are welcome! *************** Actually, NGC 1955 is the name of the open cluster associated with the emission nebula in this image. They are located in the Large Magellani...

Hi Stefan, Please excuse this tardy reply. This approach to narrowband processing is experimental, so all my thoughts are subject to revision! I've attached an example of a palette comparison produced in PixInsight. These images are just simple channel combinations with temporary screen stretches--t...

Hi Mike in Rancho, As always, your thoughts are really interesting. I did not use the matrix. Instead I loaded the narrowband images into their appropriate channels in Compose, and did not modify the hues in the Color module. I did use Wipe--Hope that didn't introduce unanticipated hue shifts in the...

I’m not sure that anyone in astro-land will appreciate this, but I just posted a different approach to narrowband processing. Here it is: https://www.astrobin.com/vgosdd/ ************************ NGC 2359: Thor’s Helmet Revealed This unusual and highly detailed interpretation of Thor’s Helmet was in...

Hi Ivo,

As usual, a thorough and thought-provoking reply. I feel I'm on a firmer foundation now. Thank you.

Russ

Ivo, I could use your help. I am frequently asked to explain why StarTools processes stars (especially fat stars) differently. In general, astro imagers are used to bloated stars with undifferentiated profiles. They believe that StarTools stars are either a processing error, or an inherent flaw in t...

Mike, what excellent detective work! Sometimes, I wonder if I over-use Super Structure. It's a great tool, but maybe I'm accidentally nuking some really interesting things in the background. In fact, when my fellow members of Sonora Desert Astro Imagers look at StarTools pics, they often remark on t...

This image and text were just uploaded to Astrobin. https://www.astrobin.com/qctfjj/ ******************* NGC 1291 and its Dwarf Companion NGC 1291 is a well-known ring galaxy that has an unusual inner bar and outer ring. It has been imaged and described many times, but its elusive dwarf companion ha...