[Aavso-photometry] Software

[Jeff Hopkins]

Hello Rich,

I have been using a DSI Pro I for BVRI photometry for couple of years 
now. The AutoStar software works well and since it comes with the 
camera it costs no more. AIP4WIN is a bit better for getting data 
from the images, however. The big drawback from AutoStar is the lack 
of documentation.

Regarding Drizzle, that is not for photometry, but for increasing the 
resolution of images. Nicer pretty pictures. Do not use it for the 
photometry. You can help the tracking by taking shorter image 
exposures and stacking the images. You can use a tracking box to have 
the software align the images properly. This is NOT Drizzle.

AutosStar works fine for getting the photometric data from the 
images. If you have specific questions about using AutoStar just let 
me know. I use both AutoStar and AIP4WIN.

Good luck.

Jeff

At 06:13 -0700 10/20/2007, Richard Harvan wrote:
>Dear All,
>        I am just starting out in CCD photometry with a DSIPro1 and a 
>SN-6 LXD-75.  I intend to start off imaging RR LYR type stars.  I 
>have 2 issues that impact each other more or less.
>        Presently I have to set up my gear for each session which of 
>course impacts guideing.  The obvious solution is an observatory 
>which is a long term goal.  Guideing is not the best.  30 seconds 
>seems to be the limit for reasonably round stars.  Autostar Suite 
>has a "drizzle" capability that translates the slew of the object 
>across the image.  However fractions of pixels are added together. 
>Maybe I don't fully understand the process but wouldn't this affect 
>the photometry?  Is this feature acceptable to use in my situation?
>        The second issue is Autostar Suite up to the task of reducing 
>images for photometry?  If it is not what programs are and what 
>features do you like and dislike about them?  It seems to me that 
>using Autostar Suite would be very tedious for the anticapted number 
>of images and operations.
>
>   Clear Skies,
>   Rich Harvan (HAV)

-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
Counting Photons
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