AF7JQ wrote:Hello,
I have a ZWO asi1600mc-pro connected to a LX600 12" F8 (or F4.95 w/reducer), so I am dealing with some pretty long focal lengths. I use Sequence generator Pro as my imaging control software. We have wonderful dark skies, but unfortunately we are also on the LEE side of a mountain range about 20 miles to our South. The mountains can cause upper air turbulence that affects seeing. I have been having pretty good results using the binning option in Startools to help. In SGP I have the option of setting the binning (software) for the imaging session. Is it better to image with the full resolution, and plan on using Startools binning, or bin the image from the start at SGP (2x2, or 3x3). Which would be the preferred method for best results?
Thanks,
John
If SGP's binning method uses software, then keep using StarTools's Bin module, since ST's bin module allows for fractional binning (e.g. you're not stuck with 2x2 or 3x3 values). This allows you to gauge
after capture exactly how much binning is required. You will never start losing real detail this way, whereas with 2x2x or 3x3 it may be a gamble.
If your hardware supports binning, you may get better results in
some cases by using hardware binning. Hardware binning usually (depends on implementation) cuts down on read noise. However, your CCD wells may overexpose faster - often dynamic range is cut down. Hardware binning is especially recommended when imaging extremely faint objects under very dark skies. E.g. hardware binning is best used in situations where the read noise is the dominant noise contributor, rather than shot noise from, say, light pollution or sky glow.
If stack is of good quality, try binning bit
less than the thershold where 1 pixel equals 1 unit of detail. This allows you a bit of headroom to experiment with deconvolution, which can be quite effective in converting seeing-related blur into actual detail.
The point is, doing this all post-capture, will allow you much more room to experiment and postpone such important decisions as binning your data.
