Software Resources

Auto-Guiding Software
  • PHD2
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • https://openphdguiding.org/
    • Can be used as a stand-alone app
    • More often, embedded in other systems
      • Kstars/Ekos
      • NINA
      • ASI Air
      • Astroberry
      • Stellarmate
  • MetaGuide
  • MGEN3 (€999)
    • Hardware solution, including camera
    • Standalone 
    • Works with ASCOM
    • INDI drivers in-development
Planetarium Software
Planetary Capture Software
  • Firecapture
    • https://www.firecapture.de/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux, Raspian
    • Major cameras supported, more complete under Windows.
    • DSLR support through ASCOM/INDI
    • Will “auto-guide” on a planetary feature or edge
    • Has an automation feature
    • Automated time-lapse feature
  • Sharpcap
    • https://www.sharpcap.co.uk/
    • Windows
    • Most major cameras supported
    • DSLR support through ASCOM
    • Excellent LiveStacking (EAA) feature
    • Has an automation feature
    • Quirky interface makes for a longer learning period
    • Standard version is free; Pro is £12/year ($15.35/year)
Pre-Processing

This would be software to use after capturing and before stacking….yeah, quite a niche!

Post-Processing: Stacking
  • Autostackert (planetary)
    • Versions 3 (2018) and 4 (beta in 2024!)
    • https://www.autostakkert.com/
    • Windows, but runs fine under WINE in Linux and MacOS
    • Simply excellent, although has a puzzling interface
  • Registax 6 (planetary)
  • waveSharp
    • The successor to Registax’ wavlets (from same author(s))
    • https://github.com/CorBer/waveSharp
    • Beta 1.0 now available for Windows and Linux!
    • OK, but only provides 3 levels of wavelets. See Siril’s “`A Trous Wavelets Transform” feature in the “Image Processing” menu, which provides you with as many levels as you like. Frankly, 5 or 6 is about right.
  • Deep Space Stacker (DSO)
  • GraXpert (Gradient removal)
    • https://graxpert.com/
    • Easy removal of gradients from optics, lack of flat calibration images, light pollution, etc.
    • Windows, MacOSX and Linux
    • NOTE: Siril’s “Background Extraction” tool provides a nearly identical interface and controls to do the same thing, included in the package.
  • PixInsight (planetary and DSO)
    • https://pixinsight.com/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • Complex, but it does EVERYTHING
    • €300, 45-day free trial
    • See hardware requirements!!
  • Siril (planetary and DSO)
    • https://siril.org/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • As close to a “Free Pixinsight” as you’ll get
    • There are LOTS of tutorial videos online. Just preface your Google query with “siril” and it’ll find lots of good tutorial material.
  • Astro Pixel Processor (DSO)
  • PlanetarySystemStacker
Post-Processing: Final Massaging
  • Registax 6 – Sharpening
  • PixInsight (planetary and DSO)
    • https://pixinsight.com/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • Complex, but it does EVERYTHING
    • €300, 45-day free trial
    • See hardware requirements!!
  • Siril (planetary and DSO)
    • https://siril.org/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • As close to a “Free Pixinsight” as you’ll get
    • There are LOTS of tutorial videos online. Just preface your Google query with “siril” and it’ll find lots of good tutorial material.
  • Astro Pixel Processor (DSO)
  • Siril
    • https://siril.org/
    • Windows, MacOS, Linux
    • As close to a “Free Pixinsight” as you’ll get
Post-Processing: Photo Programs

Books