From starlight to stunning images

Discover the meticulous journey of capturing the cosmos, from the initial setup under dark skies to the intricate dance of processing that brings out the universe's hidden wonders. Join me as I reveal the workflow behind every breathtaking astroimage.

The journey begins: Capturing the cosmos

The magic of astrophotography starts long before the shutter clicks. Proper preparation is paramount. I dedicate time as dusk falls to meticulously set up my equipment, ensuring no vital component or step is missed. Having a rig mostly pre-assembled and ready to be placed on the mount significantly streamlines this process. Crucially, I balance the tubes and perform an accurate polar alignment. Before every session, I always check that all software communicates seamlessly with the hardware. A quick tip: between imaging sessions, ensure all necessary computer and software updates are run, and periodically verify connectivity. Once everything is calibrated, I locate and frame the target, take a few test exposures, and then begin the sequence of exposures. It is vital to capture all necessary calibration frames to ensure the best possible raw data for processing.

Unveiling the universe: The art of processing

For me, the most exciting part of the entire process is seeing an image begin to take shape. Switching to PixInsight from Photoshop in 2026 was a game-changer, greatly expanding my processing options and abilities. I extensively use the Russell Croman suite of tools, which are, in my opinion, an absolute must for enhancing images. It's incredibly rewarding to watch an image form, from the initial photons captured in each subframe to the final, combined image. I've drawn immense inspiration from the workflows of Adam Block and Lukomatico, whose techniques have profoundly influenced my approach to bringing out the intricate details of the cosmos.

My dedication, your inspiration

For new astroimagers, my hope is that this page inspires you to persevere. Astrophotography is a journey of patience (especially in the oceanic climate of Cornwall) and continuous learning, and the rewards are truly out of this world. For all visitors, I want to demonstrate the immense effort and time that goes into each image, from the careful acquisition of data under the night sky to the intricate final processing. Every image represents hours of dedication, and it is my pleasure to share this passion and the process behind it with you.

Software and Resources

Polar Alignment: QHY Polemaster 

Planetarium Software: The Sky X Serious Edition

Image Sequencing and Acquisition: N.I.N.A, ASI Studio

Autoguiding: PHD2

Component Software: Pegasus Unity, ASCOM drivers

Processing: Pixinsight

Plugins: RC Astro: BlurXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, StarXTerminator tools