PixInsight Tutorial: Adding Ha to Your RGB Data | High Point Scientific

In this video, Kyle goes over his preferred method of adding Ha to an LRGB image in PixInsight using narrowband data collected from an Optolong L-eNhance filter. This method works for any dual bandpass filter that enables the transmission of hydrogen alpha.
Check out our written guide to Adding Ha to Your RGB Data to learn more: www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/astro-photography-guides/ha-rgb-pixinsight?
Follow along with this tutorial step-by-step using our PDF Guide: drive.google.com/file/d/1mWMA6jbgNvLNN6W0JnQ176V_BkYjmpvA/view?usp=sharing
Check out our previous post-processing tutorial on PixInsight:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/jF6cfnyvZcp1bM0
Optolong L-eNhance Filter:
www.highpointscientific.com/optolong-l-enhance-light-pollution-filter-2-inch-lnh-200?
Looking to expand your astronomy knowledge even further? The Astronomy Hub is the place to learn everything from what’s in the sky this month, to what gear can help you capture the best celestial images. Learn more here ➡️ www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub?
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00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Explanation of Images
03:17 - StarAlignment
04:05 - Splitting the RGB channels
05:16 - LinearFit
06:10 - PixelMath
08:48 - Adding the new red channel to the Master RGB image
10:15 - Outro

[@jotapan9521]

Thank you so much, I love the PDF! Much easier to follow. Thanks thanks thanks!

[@rob33873]

Are all the files still in linear state? ..i noticed you never applied the STF to the images.

[@AntonioGrizzuti]

Great video! Thank you so much! I've just tried this method and it works very well!

[@lightsout3127]

Whats better the white or black border on pixinsight to download

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. This will help me greatly.

[@highpointscientific]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kantoskan4314]

Perfect video on a topic I'm very interested in...thank you. Can you please clarify: Did you use the ASI183MC Pro to take the LRGB image? I thought you need a mono camera and LRGB filters to do that. Many thanks!

[@highpointscientific]

Yes, the ZWO ASI 183MC Pro was used for all of the images. The only narrowband filter I used was a dual bandpass filter, in this case the Optolong L-enhance. Theoretically, you could take this type of image with a modded DSLR too. - Kyle

[@DeepSkyDanAstro]

Nice work Kyle!👍🏼😎👍🏼

[@highpointscientific]

Thanks! 👍

[@Thomas-mn5ih]

Hi, I think you have done the linear fit in the wrong direction. You should take the LRGB_red as a reference and drag it to the Ha. Otherwise you make a change to a image wich you don't use in the further process. Don't you think so?

[@LanFeusT23]

This was awesome thank you! I can't wait to try this. I'm hoping it'll give better results than what I came up with! Out of curiosity why not do a StarNet removal instead of the first equation though?

[@highpointscientific]

Thanks for watching! A StarNet run would absolutely work, I just found this method a tad quicker as StarNet can take a while - Kyle

[@MikeInWI]

Question - has any processing been done on the two images that you start with at the beginning of tutorial - step like dynamic background extraction, background neutralization, color calibratiion, and histogram transformation? Thanks!

[@highpointscientific]

Yes, DBE, Background Neutralization, Color Calibration, and a Star Alignment has all been done before hand.

[@rvoykin]

@@highpointscientific is the data still linear or have you stretched it? Also, rather than doing the formula to mute the stars on the Ha image, couldn’t you just run StarNet or StarX?

[@LanFeusT23]

I'm guessing this will be adding Ha from an Ha filter using mono camera. I'd love to see how we can get Ha from a dual band filter using OSC camera, added to RGB from OSC camera!

[@highpointscientific]

Hello Jonathan! You'd guess incorrectly! This will be Ha from the L-eNhance filter taken with the ZWO ASI 183MC Pro color camera. :)

[@LanFeusT23]

@@highpointscientific that is awesome! I've been trying to get that done with not greta results! I can't wait to watch it!!!

[@mesample1705]

The imager can capture Ha using a mono camera and an Ha narrowband filter, but his approach is targeted toward those having a one shot color camera. The L-eNhanced filter captures H-alpha, H-beta, and Oiii. When Kyle discarded the blue (H-beta) and green(Oiii) channels, he was left with only H-alpha. He has presented an elegant technique to improve emission target compositions with less expense.

[@ralphmacdonald1220]

Hey Kyle, great video. Do have a expression that'll work on galaxies? To isolate the Ha more from the duo-band image. This one works great on nebula but it'll blow out the cores of galaxies.

[@highpointscientific]

Hello Ralph, great question. No, I do not - at least not offhand. This method is, like you noted, more geared towards emission nebula than galaxies. - Kyle

[@ralphmacdonald1220]

@@highpointscientific Okay Kyle, thanks for the reply. I found something in Inside Pixinsight(pg.362). It uses the NBRGBC Script combined with a few other processes to do just that. I'll give that a shot.

[@gclaytony]

Kyle, Great video, but one thing to note. Your Pixel math to block out the stars/create a nebula only image is "OK", but tools available in PixInsight provide much superior results. Starnet is now included with PixInsight and available for use. A bit faster and I find it has fewer artifacts around very bright stars, is Star Exterminator. Both tools will create the nebula only image you were after (and a separate stars only image if so desired), neither creates the "black holes" or halo artifacts around stars that the Pixel Math image had. IMO - YMMV.

[@highpointscientific]

I have not used Star Exterminator, so good tip. I have used StarNet pretty extensively, but StarNet takes a fair bit of time, can be pretty CPU intensive, and requires separate installation (granted, so does EZ Processing Suite). StarNet, to me, is such a great tool that I'd rather create a separate video on explaining why you need it, how to install it, and some applications you can use it on. I was thinking a video on some masking techniques using StarNet in the near future. - Kyle

[@briandiaz3758]

hello, I'm a fan and follower of all your videos, one question, with my zw294mc pro and the optolong l extreme filter I do a master light in one night, that would be the HA and then I do another master light another night with the zwo 294 mc but without filter and it would be LRGB, without any type of filter, thanks

[@highpointscientific]

Hello! The L-enhance would be for the Master Ha frame with your ZWO ASI 294MC Pro. The LRGB data can be done without any type of filter.

[@briandiaz3758]

@@highpointscientific thanks for you help however i only have the L extreme and L pro filter

[@JethroXP]

@@briandiaz3758 Use the L-eXtreme for the Master Ha, it's better than the L-eNhance, it has a 7nm bandpass vs the 10nm (for Ha) on the L-eNhance.

[@Sidecontrol1234]

Hey so what did Linear Fit do here and what is the benefit?

[@highpointscientific]

The idea behind linear fit was to elevate one channel (in this case, the red channel) so that it doesn't completely overwhelm the other channel, which had a much stronger Ha signal. The end result is more natural looking colors - Kyle

[@Sidecontrol1234]

@@highpointscientific Awesome didn't know you could do that, cheers!

[@Microtonal_Cats]

Ha - Q * (LRGB_R - med(LRGB_R)) is that formula at 7:25

[@highpointscientific]

Thank you! You will need to update your date and time etc each time you bring the scope out for use as there is no internal clock keeping it accurate while it sits inside. That being said, you can change them at anytime during your session.

[@goldfish31ful]

Thanks for the tutorial! I've been looking for different methods to try adding Ha to my RGB data. Which part of this equation controls how much Ha is added? I tried your parameters on one of my datasets and thr stars and details in the object are more prevelant than in other equations I've used but the nebulosity seems muted. Thanks!

[@highpointscientific]

A few tricks I'd consider: Run a StarNet2 run on the image, then use curves to darken up the image as bit (but not as much as using the Master Ha - med(Master Ha) step), then apply to the image. As I understand it (although I could be mistaken), that's the step where you can control the amount of Ha going into the image along with the final PixelMath step. -- Kyle

[@goldfish31ful]

@@highpointscientific thanks for the reply!

[@briandiaz3758]

maybe i can use the optolong l pro for the master light LRGB

[@highpointscientific]

Certainly an option! - Kyle

[@briandiaz3758]

@@highpointscientific thanks you kyle , i follow all your videos,