Deep Sky Image Stacking: What approach is best?

[umasscrew39]

Hi All

Given the next 2 weeks of anticipated clouds, I wanted to ask a question about stacking. I've done 60s live stacks for 1 hour and then saved the stack as unstretched, exported it into PI for some post-processing and it seemed to work well. I've read a few posts here about other ways to save images to be stacked:

1. One way seems to save multiple live stacks, like my 60s stacks for 1 hr, then stack those in another program like PI.

2. Another way is to save individual frames (not live stacking) of a certain exposure, say 5 minutes using guiding, and then stack those in PI.

Not sure if I am being clear but if I am correct in my description, does one work better than the other or is there a better way to use SC for image captures to be exported for stacking and further post-processing?

Bruce

[turfpit]

Bruce

This is my favourite viewtopic.php?t=561by Minos.

5x30min live stacks using 30s exposures, gain upped to 74%, unguided. The image validates the technique.

Dave

[umasscrew39]

Thanks, Dave

That sounds like option 1 in my original post. And agree, image does validate the technique. Very nice.