Comet Academy
$120.00 14 Sections 88 Lessons
Course Description
Comet Academy is the most comprehensive and unique course of its kind—dedicated entirely to the art and science of comet image processing. As one of the most complex challenges in astrophotography, comet imaging demands specialized techniques, and this course delivers detailed, step-by-step workflows you can follow using included data. From sidereal- and comet-tracked processing to DSLR, OSC, and monochrome variants—including an image featured as a NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day—this course leaves no tail unexplored. You'll also gain practical guidance on how to prepare for comet observations, complete with up-to-date information on currently visible comets.
Course Content
Introduction and Primer
(The JPL Horizons section explains how to use the JPL Horizons site/resources for planning your imagery of solar system targets.)
If you want to take your planning and observations to the next level, consider joining the:
Comet Academy Summary Video
Plate scale
Comet Motion
JPL Horizons
Comet Alignment Explanation: Important information about PSF Fits
Comet Alignment Explanation: Explanation of comet subtraction alignments
DSLR Comet Example (C/2023 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Guide and Processing Demonstration)
CFA/OSC This astrophotograph became a
DSLR Acquisition and Workflow Guide
Acquisition Demonstration
Comet Academy: C/2023 A3 from 2024-10-14 Tips and Techniques
Part 1 : From Calibration Through Normalization
Part 2 : Stacked Star Aligned Masterlight through CometAlignment
Part 3 : Creating the Comet Aligned Starless Stacked Master
Part 4: Putting it All Together
Russ Croman XT software
The Use of Russ Croman XT software is a central part of the processing workflow.
Buy the software from the links. (SXT is minimum requirement.)
Russ Croman XT software
Standard Comet
These demonstrations and complete PDF guides with data to follow along. Currently there are 5 examples and two additional at the bottom of the page-- more to be added. Please watch BOTH CometAlignment explanations above before proceeding.
Workflow PDF DATA
Comet PreProcessing (WBPP)
Comet Aligned Images
Batch StarXTerminator
Local Normalization
Stacking Starless Comet Images
Comet Subtraction from StarField Images
Stacking Comet-Subtracted Starfields
Color Calibration (Starfield) and Cleanup
Comet RGB and Blending Preparation
Blending and Final WrapUp
Comet Tracked Star Streaked
Mono, RGB, No Background Nebula/Galaxy overlapping comet, Short timeframe.
Comet Tracked (simple) Workflow Guide
Introduction and WBPP
WBPP Results and SXT
Quicker Comet Alignment (new!)
CometAlignment, LN and ImageIntegration
Structure Removal and NXT
SPCC and Final Blend
Standard OSC Comet
StarTracked, CFA/OSC, Background Nebula/Galaxy, Comet Subtraction.
OSC Comet Processing Workflow Guide
OSC Comet Data Download
Intro and Debayer Test
WBPP
CometAlignment
Batch StarXTerminator
LN and Stacking (Comet)
DBE and Cleanup
Comet Comet Subtraction from StarField Images
Stacking of Starfield Images with Cleaning
Color Calibration with SPCC
Stretching Masters and HDRMT
ImageBlend Script and Final Adjustments
Traditional Comet (No SXT)
Mono, RGB, CometAlignment, Background Nebula/Galaxy, Comet Subtraction.
Initial Calibration with WBPP
Comet Alignment
Comet Subtraction from Star Fields
Comet Subtraction Cleanup
Comet Starless Cleanup
Comet Color Correction
Blending Stars and Comet with Final Wrap Up
DSLR with Landscape (Overview)
StarTracked, CFA/OSC, Background Nebula/Galaxy.
DSLR Intro
WBPP and Registration
Post Processing Walk Through
Final Processing (Photoshop)
C/2021 S3 (PanStarrs)
This comet is particularly challenging because it is moving against a background of nebulae that will not cleanly reject during the creation of a comet-only image. Special considerations demonstrated and section 4 below regarding Structure Removal are key. Data available below.
Workflow PDF DATA
Examine, WBPP, and Comet Alignment
Batch SXT with a Mask and Results
Local Normalization (using ImageContainer) and ImageIntegration
Gradient Correction and Structure Removal
Comet Subtraction
Stacking Comet Subtracted Images and Results
DBE of Starfield and Star Shrink
Enhance Nebula
Final Blend and Result
Additional Information!
Comets, Asteroids, etc How the Solar System and Images Work
Removing Residuals/Streaks with MMT/MLT
Comet At Standstill (standard comet)
Non-Perfect example, many problem solving issues.
OSC Comet Processing Workflow Guide
WBPP
Comet Alignment
SXT, LN, ImageIntegration (Stacking)
Comet Cleanup and Comet Subtraction
Starfield LN, Stacking and Cleaning
Color Correction (SPCC) and Stretching
Final Adjustments (ImageBlend) and more
12P/ Pons-Brooks 2024-03-02
Challenging Data!! (wind-blurred). Star-Tracked, No Background Shortcut.
Introduction
WBPP
Batch BXT, WBPP, CometAlignment, Batch SXT
LN, DBE, Gradient Correction and Cleaning
Star Field Generation and Comet Correction
Final Adjustments and Blending
DSLR Comet A3 Tips and Techniques (Overview for 2024-10-12)
CFA/OSC
Tips and Techniques
Comet Tracked Star Streaked
Mono, RGB, No Background Nebula/Galaxy overlapping comet, Short timeframe. This is a second example- the primary example is above with Comet A3.
Comet Tracked (simple) Workflow Guide
PreProcessing with WBPP
CometAlignment, Batch SXT, ImageIntegration
reate Starfield, DBE, SPCC, NXT
Screen, Comet Masking, Blend, WrapUp