New to AP seek advice

[admin]

Congrats on the new purchase Marco!
Excellent colors on M42.
Could you post the log?

[MarcoS]

Hi Ivo,

please find here below the logs.

one question:
when I open a new picture, I get the screen with the four choices, I always import directly from DSS without any corrections.
do I have to use the first button on the left, or the second? I cannot understand the difference between the two...

here the log

File loaded [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-04\Orion-light\Autosave.fts].
---
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [876 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [264 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [3877 pixels (-701)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [2917 pixels (-396)]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 35.38%)/(798.89%)/(+3.00 bits)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [8.6 pixels]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [28 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [24 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [9.7 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [478 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [98 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness & Color]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Equalize]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [1.87]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [146 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [22 %]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [15 %]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [357 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.10]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.64]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [92 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [3]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [8 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [12.25 %]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Fractal Flux
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Add Detail]
Parameter [Negative Flux] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Positive Flux] set to [25 %]
Parameter [Detail Filter] set to [2.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Radius] set to [12.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File saved [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-04\Orion-light\Autosave3.tiff]

[MarcoS]

And this is the log for Bode's

StarTools 1.3.5.279
Fri Mar 07 18:06:28 2014
-----------------------------------------------------------
File loaded [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-06\Autosave.fts].
---
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [120 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [613 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [4141 pixels (-742)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [3155 pixels (-714)]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 35.38%)/(798.89%)/(+3.00 bits)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [26 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [28 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [450 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [99 %]
Undo.
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [1153 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [851 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [101 pixels (-1321)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [95 pixels (-804)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [5.8 pixels]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [19 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [25 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [381 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [98 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Optimize Soft]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [Full]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [21 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [200 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.30]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.52]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [3.35]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color Only]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Precision] set to [128 x 128 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [0 %]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Reveal DSO Core]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [Full]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [64 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [17 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [24 %]
Undo.
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Brown]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [1.50]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [3.30]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [277 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.30]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.49]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [2.86]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [92 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [52 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [2]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [10 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [7 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.1 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [7.50 %]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Fractal Flux
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Modulate Unsharp Mask]
Parameter [Negative Flux] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Positive Flux] set to [500 %]
Parameter [Detail Filter] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Radius] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Amount] set to [200 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File saved [C:\Users\MarcoPictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-06\bode-galaxy.tiff].
--- Life
Parameter [Detail Preservation] set to [Linear Brightness Mask]
Parameter [Compositing Algorithm] set to [Multiply, Gamma Correct]
Parameter [Inherit Brightness, Color] set to [Off]
Parameter [Output Glow Only] set to [No]
Parameter [Airy Disk Sampling] set to [128 x 128 pixels]
Parameter [Airy Disk Radius] set to [8 pixels]
Parameter [Glow Threshold] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Detail Preservation Radius] set to [20.0 pixels]
Parameter [Saturation] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Strength] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
File saved [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-06\bode-galaxy2.tiff]

greetings
Marco

[admin]

Thanks Marco.
Good workflow. I'd suggest caution when using the Fractal Flux module to synthesize plausible detail with, especially when using wide fields.
The way Fractal Flux works is by analysing the image larger scale structures and gas flows and then tries to apply what it has learned about the larger structures to the smaller structures.
In wide fields, the gaseous structures start behaving/looking materially different than at smaller scales (kind of like how cloud patterns seem to look different from the surface of the earth than they look from high up in outer space where you can see swirls and distinct low/high pressure areas, cloud fronts, etc.), so using very large structures (thousands of light years across) to base smaller structures on when the difference is big, starts becoming harder. Therefore the results will start looking less plausible.

Cheers,

Ivo

Hi Ivo,

please find here below the logs.

one question:
when I open a new picture, I get the screen with the four choices, I always import directly from DSS without any corrections.
do I have to use the first button on the left, or the second? I cannot understand the difference between the two...

here the log

File loaded [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-04\Orion-light\Autosave.fts].
---
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [876 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [264 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [3877 pixels (-701)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [2917 pixels (-396)]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 35.38%)/(798.89%)/(+3.00 bits)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [8.6 pixels]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [28 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [24 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [9.7 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [478 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [98 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness & Color]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Equalize]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [1.87]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [146 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [22 %]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [15 %]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [357 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.10]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.64]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [97 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [92 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [3]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [8 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [12.25 %]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Fractal Flux
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Add Detail]
Parameter [Negative Flux] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Positive Flux] set to [25 %]
Parameter [Detail Filter] set to [2.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Radius] set to [12.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File saved [C:\Users\Marco\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-04\Orion-light\Autosave3.tiff]

[MarcoS]

Hi Ivo, thanks for the tip, I was using an inverted star mask to protect the stars in the Fractal flux.

I need a bit of advice on the next pic that is giving me troubles
it is M-106 1h54 minutes of 40sec frames DSS stacked.
The moon was shining from the right side and i get all that yellowish halo there.
I cannot get neither the colors nor the background as it should be.

M-106-new-try2.jpg (224.07 KiB) Viewed 7289 times

This is the link to the fit file https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6oGP3 ... sp=sharing

Can you please check and advise what am I doing wrong and how to improve?

thanks and clear skies
Marco

This is the log.
File loaded [C:\Users\Marco.\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-12\M106\M-106.fts].
---
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [367 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [148 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [2385 pixels (-85)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [1545 pixels (-152)]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [5 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 50.00%)/(400.00%)/(+2.00 bits)]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Equalize]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [6.19]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [255 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Reveal DSO Core]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [Full]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [64 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [212 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- Deconvolution
Parameter [Image Type] set to [Deep Space]
Parameter [Mask Behavior] set to [De-ring Mask Gaps, Hide Result]
Parameter [Radius] set to [2.6 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [6]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [1.00 (optimal noise and detail)]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [247 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.18]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.04]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Life
Parameter [Detail Preservation] set to [Linear Brightness Mask]
Parameter [Compositing Algorithm] set to [Multiply, Gamma Correct]
Parameter [Inherit Brightness, Color] set to [Off]
Parameter [Output Glow Only] set to [No]
Parameter [Airy Disk Sampling] set to [128 x 128 pixels]
Parameter [Airy Disk Radius] set to [8 pixels]
Parameter [Glow Threshold] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Detail Preservation Radius] set to [20.0 pixels]
Parameter [Saturation] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Strength] set to [50 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [3.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [2]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [20 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [17 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [5.19 %]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [78 %]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [No]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [9.90]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [9.90]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.01]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.02]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
File saved [C:\Users\Marco.\Pictures\1-Telescope\Canon\APT\Camera_1\2014-03-12\M106\M-106-new-try2.tiff].

[admin]

This is dificult data to work with indeed, with many gradients and unevenness obscuring the true signal (which is very faint).
Did you take flats?

The biggest change to your posted workflow would be to crop a bit more aggressively, bin your data (to gain a bit more signal fidelity) and, most importantly, use the Vignetting preset in the Wipe module.
Also mask out the galaxy while you're wiping the gradients. This will let you bump up the aggresiveness a little. Additionally, increase 'precision' a little . The latter is usually only needed in the face of extreme variations/gradients in the image, which is the case here.

Doing all this should get you close to a nice neutral background (see below). The Isolate preset in the Life module (which you already use) can further help push back any background problems.

M-106.jpg (33.57 KiB) Viewed 7276 times

[Rowland]

Hi Marco. Your flat frame is too dark. Make sure that the live view preview histogram is 70 - 75% to the left, that is closer to the right side. A good even light source, such as a white computer screen dimmed down is quite OK. Remember to focus at infinity.

You may also need to stop down your lens to reduce vignetting and chromatic abberation around your stars. Focus in the last image is very close.