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.