Sensors & transducers
amateur astronomers. The IDS module is written in C with Microsoft Visual Studio and is compiled into a DLL that can be easily loaded into FireCapture to enable the use of the comprehensive software features.”
IMAGE PROCESSING
The video segments recorded using FireCapture are then further processed using Autostakkert, a Windows software program that automatically aligns and merges the images of the night sky. “The software combines and averages the individual images and corrects for blurring and
distortion caused by the Earth’s atmosphere,” explains Anthony Wesley. These blurs can appear as blurring or image noise and obscure important details in the images. In astronomical imaging, the method of deconvolution is therefore used to optimise the image quality of telescope images and to correct blurred or distorted images. In this case, the Astra Image and Registax software packages are used for deconvolution and image sharpening. In the next step, the observed rotation of the target object during the recording time must be corrected. “For example, Jupiter rotates by one degree every 90 seconds,” says Wesley. The Winjupos software is used for this, which can be used to superimpose, derotate and adjust time-shifted images and videos and to merge red/green/blue images into one colour image. “The final image clean-up is done with Gimp. In this way, the post-processing of the video can compensate for the blurring effect of the earth’s atmosphere and drastically reduce it so that a clear image of the target object is created,” says Wesley, summarising the final image processing procedure.
SOFTWARE
In order to guarantee all this, however, perfect interaction between hardware and software is required. The IDS cameras are easily integrated using the IDS peak software development kit (SDK). “IDS peak is perfectly matched to our hardware, allowing users to get the most out of our cameras. It includes programming interfaces and software tools that ensure an intuitive programming experience, quick and easy installation and versatile application options,” emphasises Damien Wang, area sales manager at IDS. This makes it possible to utilise the extensive features of the FireCapture software specially developed for astrophotography. “With the uEye XCP models, we are not only offering something new in our portfolio, but
Instrumentation Monthly February 2025
are also once again among the pioneers in the industrial camera market. The current sensor technology of these cameras ensures high frame rates, remarkably high image quality - and impresses with its high sensitivity in the infrared range, even when used in low-light situations such as planetary photography. With the components used here, not only professional but also amateur astronomers are able to take particularly high-resolution images of celestial objects,” emphasises Jürgen Hejna. Anthony Wesley has been observing planets as well as the camera market very closely for over twenty years. “Cameras and technology made an evolutionary step forward from the past, in either NIR sensitivity or low noise. The technology of the uEye XCP in combination with the class 2 Sony Starvis sensors are undoubtedly among the best currently available,” he concludes.
OUTLOOK
“Cameras based on the Sony Starvis 2 sensors will be popular with amateur astronomers in the planetary imaging community due to their high sensitivity, great depth of field and low noise,” says Anthony Wesley. “Especially in the NIR range between 700 nm and 1000 nm, where very interesting work can be achieved that will advance our understanding of other planets in our solar system.’ But the field of application of the cameras does not only extend into space. ‘Many of the techniques used can also be applied to other areas with similar challenges, such as underwater imaging in low-light environments,” recommends Wesley.
IDS Imaging Development Systems
en.ids-imaging.com
“Very interesting work can be achieved that will advance our understanding of other planets in our solar system.”
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