Live stacking with the AstroDMx Capture camera simulator

We have been experimenting with 'live stacking' with the AstroDMx Capture camera simulator and the new auto-stretch function with some M45 data that we captured almost two years ago. The data comprise 20 x 3 minute exposures of the Pleiades. The simulator reads a folder containing the images captured by the camera. It can use monochrome, RGB colour images or RAW colour files. The camera simulator treats each image in the folder as if it has just been captured and these data can be processed by the live stacking engine. The camera simulator is required for testing new functionality in AstroDMx Capture as well as allowing an imager or EAA observer, to revisit data already captured. As each image is added to the stack, the image becomes clearer, more detailed and less noisy. For us, this represents a paradigm shift for imaging as we obtain more satisfying previews during a capture session.

Live stacking is a work in progress and will not be released until V-3 of AstroDMx Capture

This animation condenses a 3 minute exposure into 2 seconds, so the whole show plays in about 40s. 

AstroDMx Capture camera simulator 'live stacking' 20 x 3 minute exposures of the Pleiades

Steve Wainwright and Nicola Mackin