From: Ray Byrne <ray@in4media.co.uk>

Date: April 16, 2007 5:25:17 AM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Does this advice apply

Hi Guys,

I'm still on the ToUcam Yahoo Group and one of the members posted the message below does the "wavelets" bit of Astro IIDC work in the same way?

Regixtax wavelets are not too complicated once you understand them.

They are basically similar to unsharp masking, but with one big

difference. The slider bars allow you to sharpen the image by

detail size. The #1 slider bar sharpens the finest details. The #2

slider sharpens details a bit bigger. And so on. The #6 slider bar

sharpens only the largest details.

When you record a really high quality avi in excellent seeing

conditions with perfect focus and good optics....the larger details

are already imaged well. Only the finest details at the limit of

the scope's capability are blurry. In my experience, these images

look best using only the #1 slider bar and the #2 slider 1/8 to 1/2

as much as you slid the #1 slider. Use none of the others. On

Saturn, the #1 slider brings out tiny details like the Encke

division or small storms and sharpens the stairstepping sub-ring

boundaries in the B-ring. It also sharpens the boundaries in the

delicate globe cloud bands. Too much #1 slider makes the image look

noisy or grainy. Back off then. A bigger stack allows more #1

slider. Then slide the #2 slider a bit to see if it looks better.

Too far, and the planet looks fake.

For Jupiter, the #1 slider really enhances small details like wisps

within blue festoons, detail within the red spot, and countless tiny

spots and small ovals. The #2 slider enhances slightly bigger

details.

If the large details need sharpening, either the seeing or focusing

was not very good. From my yard in Kentucky, I estimate maybe 10

good nights a year for planet imaging.

Remember, the goal is to produce sharp planetary images that look

natural color and appearance....not overprocessed or oversaturated.

The best processing results in an image that doesn't even look

processed at all. Using these imaging and wavelet guidelines, these

are a few examples of my better images of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars

over the last two years (using my 10-inch reflector).

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ToUcam/files/planetcombo.jpg

Rick Schrantz

ATB

Ray Byrne

in4media | graphic and website DESIGN

T: 01793 435704