Beginner Deep Sky Astrophotography Processing

Have you ever admired amazing deep sky astrophotography images and wondered if you could even begin to create similar images? Now you can! With raw data provided fromtelescopes at the Robert Ferguson Observatory, in this class series of three sessions you will have the opportunity to learn the basics of how to process and edit your own deep sky images. Please note, this workshop is meant as a 3-class series. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets for all three days.Please note, this is a virtual class. A Zoom link will be sent to participants prior to the class.What you will learn in this class:- The fundamentals of Deep Sky Astrophotography- An overview of image capture techniques (a dedicated, hands-on class on Deep sky image capture using your own equipment will be held later in Spring 2026)- Robert Ferguson Observatory Image capture techniques - how we captured the data that will be used in this class.- An overview of image processing techniques- An introduction to Siril, a free and open-source Astronomical Image Processing Program- A session where you will personally process data collected at the Robert Ferguson Observatoryon your own computer- A wrap-up session where you will have the opportunity to share and discuss your images with other class attendeesClass Prerequisites:- A reasonably new desktop or laptop computer (the newer the better), loaded with the latest operating system.(Windows 8.1 or newer, MacOS 10.15 Catalina or later).A computer with 2 screens is ideal so that you can follow the Zoom class on one screen, while using Siril on the other screen.Alternatively, you could use two computers – one for following the Zoom class and the second (the more powerful one) for using Siril.- At least 8MB of RAM (more is better)- At least 100GB of free disk space (preferably a solid-state disk drive.More storage is better)- Reasonably “savvy” with your computer.Familiarity with creating directories, moving files between folders, setting folder and file permissions, and accessing cloud drives.Familiarity with basic photo editing techniques.Familiarity with Zoom.(If you are unclear whether your skill-level or your computer is adequate, please contact the instructor at [email protected] prior to the class)Session 1 via Zoom:Introduction to AstrophotograhpyAstronomy Observation Methods:Optical Astronomy *, Solar Astronomy*, Radio Astronomy, Infrared Astronomy, X-Ray, Gamma-Ray and extreme UV astronomy, Occultation Astronomy*, Spectroscopy(* Practiced at RFO)Optical Astronomy:Real-time visual astronomy versus astrophotographyTypes of Astrophotography:Wide-field (Milky Way, nightscapes), Planetary, Deep sky, Comet, Meteor Showers, Solar, Lunar, Eclipse (solar and lunar), OccultationThe fundamentals of Deep Sky AstrophotographySetting Expectations! Is Deep Sky Astrophotography an Art or a Science? The role of color. The Hubble Palette.Overview of Image Capture Techniques (Adetailedclass covering Astrophotography capture techniques will be held in Spring 2026.This will include a hands-on session)Deep Sky Image Software Processing techniques - Noise - Calibration - “Stacking” and “stretchingSIRIL OverviewPost-processing of astrophotography imagesPreparation required for the next class - Download and test Siril version 1.2.3 - Download the .zip file at the link provided - Ensure you have sufficient free hard disk spaceQ+ASession 2 via Zoom:Hand-on Astrophotography Processing Techniques- Introduction to Siril- Layout of Siril- Siril Directory Structure for user data- Siril Scripts- Siril Image Processing- Siril Recommended Beginner workflow- Loading Robert Ferguson Observatory Data into Siril- Image Processing- Image enhancement- Advanced techniquesSession 2 HomeworkBetween Session 2 and Session 3 you are encouraged to do further work on your images in your own time.RFO Instructors are available to answer questions via email between Sessions 2 and 3.Session 3 via Zoom:Sharing of Images and discussion- Class attendees will share their images (if they so choose!)- Discussion of images, techniques and other questions- An overview of sites with publicly accessible data for processing- RFO instructors will give a preview of the Spring class on Image capture using your own equipment