Introduction to PixInsight

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

PixInsight

software made by astronomers for astronomers

growing community
no painting
masks are heavily used and you build your masks using the original data
processes highly tunable
the development team will implement function based on research papers if
needed
works almost anywhere
not a good idea to use it for planetary imaging pre-processing / mosaics

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

By the way what is that FITS thing ?

FITS: Flexible Image Transport System

Open Standard defining a digital file format

specifically designed for a scientific usage
most common file format used in astronomy
the header contains the scientific information

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

PixInsight: where to find help ?

Pixinsight online resources page

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

PixInsight: Where to find help ? (2)

PixInsight forum : a lot of information, examples etc ...

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

PixInsight: where to find help ? (3)

inline help

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: main interface

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: Process Console

All the system operations are logged here

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: View Explorer

Information about currently available views (any workspace)

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: Process Explorer

shortcuts for the processes (i.e. operations available)

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: File Explorer

File browser with integrated preview, histogram and info

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: Script Editor

a script editor

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

UI: tab: History Editor

Allows you to view the process history for a particular view

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

PixInsight workspaces

There are 4 workspaces available

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with images: change image identifier

changing the name of the view

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with images: previews

creating a preview

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with images: previews (2)

preview properties

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with images: duplicate an image

left click, drag&drop

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with images: duplicate an image (2)

End result

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

readout mode

Pixel location and values per channel

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

A word about histograms and linear images

horizontal: left to right = black to white

vertical: number of pixels with the same value
very good introduction here

A linear image is an image where values of its

pixels follow a linear function of the source
intensities : needed for enhancement
non linear transformations are applied at the end

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

STF autostretch

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

STF autostretch

based on the histogram, so you need a clean picture

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Dynamic crop

removing parts you dont want/need

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

STF autostretch again

using a clean picture this time

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Saving processes

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Saving processes (2)

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

reinjecting a process

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

reinjecting a process (2)

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Working with masks

Extract Lightness = work
on the structure
Invert it and work on the
background

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

mask selection: red is preserved !

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

mask selection: show (or not) mask

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

applying process on a masked picture

The process is applied only on certain regions

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

applying process on a masked picture (2)

in our case we exposed details in the core of the galaxy

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

not using masks

bad idea: the process is applied on both the structure and background

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

using masks: background work (1)

example: using the inverted lightness mask and Histogram transformation

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

using masks: background work (2)

trying to remove high intensity pixels from the background

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

using masks: background work (3)

final result

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

Commonly used processes

ScreenTransfer Function (AutoStretch)

Dynamic crop
Dynamic Background Extraction
Background neutralisation
Sample format conversion
Histogram Transformation
Channel Extraction
Channel Combination
HDR multiscale transform
curves transtormation

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com

ACDNR
Color Saturation
ATrousWaveletTransform

Ready to go !

Mehdi Bozzo-Rey: mehdi@exploresciences.com