Tried stacking 50 shots versus 100 on the Andromeda Galaxy

I used my 8-inch scope from my backyard in Phoenix last month. The 50-shot stack looked okay, but the 100-shot version brought out way more detail in the spiral arms with less noise. The extra time collecting light made the faint outer parts actually visible. Has anyone else found a sweet spot for how many frames to stack on deep sky objects?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantnelson13d ago

Yeah, that "faint outer parts actually visible" thing is the dream. My sweet spot is usually "however many I can get before clouds roll in or my battery dies." My last attempt looked like a fuzzy potato. More data is always better, if you have the patience for it.

max_schmidt7713d ago

That fuzzy potato look is honestly part of the charm for me. I see these perfect galaxy shots online and wonder how much of that is just crazy processing. My own pictures are always a bit of a blurry mess, and I'm fine with it. The hobby is about being outside, not winning a contest. Chasing more data for a slightly better picture feels like turning a fun night into a second job.

lucashenderson13d ago

Spot the same thing with home cooking. People stress over perfect plating when the real joy is just making a tasty meal for yourself.