Live Stacking with SharpCap Pro (version 4)

Jeff Lepp, a member of the Fort Bend Astronomical Society, Houston Astronomical Society, and Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society, renders a tutorial on using Sharp Cap Pro (the minimally priced paid version Sharp Cap) to demonstrate what is called Live Stacking. This can be done in real time when viewing through the scope, but can also be practiced with data files in an off line manner. This is when numerous short exposure are stacked or assembled, and then color adjustments are made to correct the color of the image. What is done here to produce an image in a short amount of time is EAA or Electronic Assisted Astronomy. Images can be presented as is, or further refined in various software such as PixInsight and Photoshop. An addendum is included using the dark and flat frames. There is no "tour" of SharpCap and presumes the user is familiar with the software and has a working knowledge of Sharp Cap's feature but may not have done live stacking. Live stacking can be done in real time through the telescope. In this case, Jeff is using previously acquired FITS files from an imaging session using EAA.
OBS was used for the recording by Jeff Lepp and David Haviland assisted in editing using Corel VideoStudioX10.

[@gregkushner9214]

I loved the straightforward nature of your presentation. Much appreciated and very informative. Reminded me of the old TV show, Dragnet. Just the facts mam, just the facts. Thank you.

[@lawrencesaville3345]

Very clear and concise. I use EAA/Live Stack as my primary astronomy but good guides and how to are few and far between. Definitely one I'll be sharing to the rest of the astro club!

[@nadaadeclarar1979]

Thank you for the video. It was very useful for me. The Orion Nebula turned too green and I didn't know how to solve it because I'm a beginner. Now I understand how to improve the image.

[@raueugen9047]

You explained well, I'm glad that I begin to understand little by little, eg how working (on) histograms.

[@AntPDC]

Extremely helpful Jeff. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@nightskyimaging]

Well done! Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@kennethlim6449]

Jeff - This is very helpful video for beginners to learn. Specially, the presentation (11:00-14:00) is good for learning how to use all the Histogram sliders. Thanks. Ken

[@michaelfrazier9537]

Last night, I used SharpCap with my QHY 5 III 462 C to capture Jupiter. However, I only used the 1 star aligment which I won't do again, LOL. Jupiter kept drifting. The other thing I did was in my excitement was I forgot to save the image. So, it was the first time trying SharpCap. I did get a clear view of Jupiter though, but rookie mistakes cost me the video file. Great video!

[@billblanshan3021]

Good job Jeff!

[@brown9962]

Thank you. One question - What is the file extension of the flat and dark calibration files? PNG? FITS?

[@primoroy]

OK, for rank first time beginners, is there a default setting for the histogram color adjustments?

[@lsa168]

Not a bad presentation at all. Thanks!!

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Nice. Thanks.

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

Good video. I have started to use, but a good job reinforcing how to use live stack. A question for you - if you want to capture raw frames whilst you use Live Stack (this is an option) to later stack in Deep Sky Stacker - is it a good idea to pre-process with dark/flats? I understand that SharpCap will include the dark/flat adjustments in each one of the raw files. Is this better or worse than letting DSS deal with the dark and flats? Many thanks.

[@JSCAstronomicalSociety]

You can capture raw frames will live stacking.

[@roymixon]

Hello Jeff, Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. do have a video for capturing Dark and Flat frames ? I'm new at this, which is a huge learning curve for me. I'm using a Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT, 650MM, F/5. I purchased a ZWO-ASI120mc-s camera. Using SharpCap 4.0. Would appreciate if you could guide me to a link in reference using SharpCap taking dark and light frames. Thanks Jeff.

[@JeffLepp-qm9lb]

Sorry I don't have a video for taking darks and flats. I found these videos when searching TH-cam. darks: th-cam.com/video/LhvQ6Cn5DVE/w-d-xo.html flats: th-cam.com/video/4cbWKDctaps/w-d-xo.html

[@roymixon]

jeff, Question, how do you configure the folder monitor camera option? When I click on that option, it doesn't default to my folder directory. instead, i see a picture pops up dark sky with stars, pulling a file from somewhere other than a folder, my guess, however It will not default to folder directory, do i need to configure this option?

[@JeffLepp-qm9lb]

It opens the last folder that was selected. To select a different folder go to camera controls - source folder and click on the browse button. Yes the first image loaded will be black because it had not been stretched yes with the historgram.

[@SKYST0RY]

What is the F ratio of your club's 18" Newtonian?

[@JeffLepp-qm9lb]

The native F ratio of the Newt is 4.5. We are now using a coma corrector that reduces to F3.3.

[@peterdguru]

OK a silly Question; at 9:14 where did he click in the app to open that dialog?

[@JeffLepp-qm9lb]

When reviewing my video I noticed that got covered up. At the end of the video we added a segment to explain how to select the calibration frames.

[@raueugen9047]

Why you not pointing the telescope to the sky, why not make then live stacking, and explain by short? As a beginner this is I am waiting for.

[@benburden9323]

How is do you sharpin up the live stock what galaxy is that what number

[@JeffLepp-qm9lb]

The Galaxy is M33. On the livestack tabs there is an Enhancement tab that will allow for some sharpening but I have found it to be not too useful.