CaLIGHTs v3.1.5 Released

[wols...@gmail.com]

Latest Revision 3.1.5.00

-Changed how the statistics are calculated for the Image Viewer. In the March 2021 edition of the Event Horizon, published by the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers, Bill Tekatch wrote an article detailing how to calculate the Signal to Noise (SNR) ratio for astrophotos. I was able to work with Bill and successfully incorporate his SNR method into CaLIGHTs. This allows CaLIGHTs to give complete statistics for every image displayed in the Image Viewer. I think it’s a great improvement. See the Image Viewer section of the help file for the specifics.

-There are two new functions added to the Image Viewer. Besides the “Show Dust Motes” function, there is now a “Show Color Cast” and “Show FLAT Gain” functions. See the help file for detailed explanations of these new functions.

-Changed how the Noise Filter deals with the green pixels. Up to this point the green pixels located beside the red pixels(Gr) were filtered separately from the green pixels that are located by the blue pixels(Gb). I have long suspected that separately filtering these two sets of green pixels increases the risk that they are significantly different down at the pixel level. Locally, the Gr pixels could all be slightly brighter than the Gb pixels. If that happens it will result in a faint green checkerboard pattern visible at the pixel level. I have seen this green checkerboard pattern a few times so I had my suspicions. I believe that row noise can also cause green checkerboard patterns so there is good justification to dig deeper.

Once you decide to take advantage of the fact that Gr and Gb pixels are just G pixels it becomes obvious that there is a lot of luminance detail information in all these G pixels and the filtering can be optimized to eliminate noise while salvaging more detail. I burned up a fair number of brain cells re-writing the noise filtering for green pixels. I believe the result is a noise filter that is just as effective eliminating noise, preserves more of the luminance detail that is traditionally dominant in the green pixels and avoids the possibility of a faint green checkboard pattern in the darker pixels.

[Scott Kuchma]

Hi Peter ,

Thanks for the alert on the latest version of CaLIGHTs . I was about to check in with you to see what you've been up to and now I know .

I am wondering if you are getting closer to a series of Videos on using CaLIGHTs now that you have the AstroHobby Web Site .

I've acquired a Focus Motor for the OTA so I'm looking forward to using it this Season . Just hoping for some good weather now .

Cheers ,

Scott................

[wols...@gmail.com]

Scott,

I know that making videos will dramatically increase the number of amateur astrophotographers willing to try CaLIGHTs.  I did a series of videos for a program I wrote 10 years ago and it was a lot of work.  I just need to stop programming and switch to making videos.

Peter

[Scott Kuchma]

Hi Peter ,

May I make a request/suggestion ? Could you post the CaLIGHTs Help File , for each new Software release , here on this Forum and also on your AstroHobby Web Site ?

I think people might be interested in reading those details first without having to download the Software and extract it and then Install it . Just a thought .

Scott.............

[wols...@gmail.com]

Scott,

Good Suggestion!  Having the Help file available to read is a good idea while I start making videos

Peter

[Scott Kuchma]

Hi Peter ,

Well , that didn't take you very long ! LOL . Can you believe you're at 46 pages now for your Help File ! Fantastic stuff .

Scott............

[Scott Kuchma]

Hi Peter ,

I've just been re-watching some older Astro Photography You-Tube Videos and I'd like to make a suggestion for your future video efforts .

Since these will be Software Instructional Videos you will probably be showing/sharing your screen and using your mouse . You may know where I'm going with this .

There are quite a few Software Videos with people who insist on moving the mouse all over the screen constantly , while they talk , and rapidly as well . It's enough to cause an Epileptic Seizure .

They also insist on playing with all the windows and are constantly moving them all over the screen and/or resizing them ad infinitum . I usually bail at that point .

Some use variations on the mouse pointer applying large circles and coloured spheres and even certain personalized icons which in the end is simply distracting .

I have a feeling that you are already aware of these things . I just wanted to toss my 2 cents-worth into the mix .

Scott.................

[wols...@gmail.com]

Scott,

All good points. I hope to keep my hand off of the mouse while I am talking.  Even though CaLIGHTs is specific to image calibration there is a lot to talk about. I need to write out what I am going to say and keep the videos relatively short.

Peter

[Scott Kuchma]

Hi Peter ,

This Video , from Astrofarsography , appeared today and it is about how-to Tips and Tricks on starting an Astro Themed You-Tube Channel and videos .

There are Links in the Description for the little microphones they use and also a Script that some use in setting up their Programs . Pretty nice .

Enjoy !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AL_VyO9tjY

Scott................

[wols...@gmail.com]

Good Video.  Right now my time is focused on troubleshooting my astrophotography set-up.  Lots of changes over the winter and I am finally able to get outside to verify things still work.

Peter