In this tutorial, Ron Brecher, Co-Founder of Masters of PixInsight, introduces the powerful ColorMask process in PixInsight. This process, though not included in the standard PixInsight installation, allows for precise control over color adjustments in your astronomical images. Ron walks you through the following steps: Installing the ColorMask Process: -Learn how to add the necessary repository and install the ColorMask process from the PixInsight forum. Using ColorMask to Target Specific Hues: -Explore multiple methods to select hues, including clicking on the color wheel, manually entering values, or selecting directly from the image. -Understand how to adjust hue range, chrominance, and lightness to refine your color mask. Applying and Modifying the Mask: -Apply the mask to your image and make adjustments using tools like curves to enhance specific colors. -Learn how to control mask strength and blur to achieve the desired effect.

In this detailed tutorial series, Telescope Live Co-Founder Alexander Curry walks you through the process of manually pre-processing astronomical data in SIRIL. Alex provides an in-depth guide for pre-processing and stacking data using manual techniques, perfect for situations where standard scripts may not apply. This tutorial looks at a narrowband dataset, however this workflow can be applied to any dataset. The tutorial is divided into three focused parts: Part 1: Manual Pre-Processing Setup -Learn how to set up symbolic links for your data sequences. -Start by organizing and preparing H-alpha and OIII data for manual processing. Part 2: Calibration, Registration, and Data Analysis -Dive into manual calibration and global star alignment for accurate data registration. -Analyze your dataset for any frames that may need exclusion based on full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) readings. Part 3: Stacking, Compositing, and Final Alignment -Perform manual stacking using advanced algorithms. -Create an RGB composite and ensure proper RGB channel alignment for your final image. Alex’s clear and methodical approach ensures that you can confidently apply these techniques to produce stunning astrophotography results, even when standard workflows fall short.

In this tutorial, Telescope Live tutor Nik Szymanek explores the powerful sharpening tools available in Affinity Photo to enhance astronomical images. While Affinity Photo lacks true deconvolution capabilities, Nik will demonstrate how to use the Unsharp Mask, High Pass, and Clarity filters to simulate convolution and improve image sharpness effectively. Using a stunning image of the galaxy NGC 5128, he will guide you through each tool's settings, showing how to bring out fine details and contrast. Nik will also explain how to integrate RC Astro's Star Exterminator to remove stars before applying sharpening filters. By combining these techniques, you can achieve impressive results, enhancing details like the jet from the galaxy's nucleus and the star shells from a galactic collision.

In this tutorial, Telescope Live tutor and Masters of Pixinsight presents a creative solution for recovering astrophotography images lacking flat field calibration. When faced with dust motes and other issues, Warren demonstrates using Pixel Math in PixInsight to apply a different master flat to a master light after initial calibration. Through a specific Pixel Math expression, he shows how to reduce star artefacts and correct gradients, turning an unusable image into a viable one. Warren’s method provides a practical tip for handling emergencies in astrophotography processing.