[APML] Stacking Lunar Images---suggestions?

[Roland Roberts <roland@astrofoto.org>]

I've been working on a series of lunar photos---whole disk shots
showing the change of phase during a lunar month.  I'm using an Orion
127mm Mak-Cas I bought for use as a guidescope; the 1540mm focal
length is nearly idea for filling a 35mm frame.

Between first and third quarter, it is pretty easy to get a well
exposed shot with 200 or 400 speed film.  There tends to be a bit of
grain with funny color speckles, but averaging 2--4 frames helps to
clear it out.

Right now, I'm stacking these with Picture Works Pro, but it is a
slightly painful process as the "refine" button as often screws up the
alignment as it improves it.  Plus, when in register mode, there is no
preview to show me how I'm doing.  After I have finished, I will
usually take the results and composite them using "subtract" to see
how well matched they are.  If I didn't get it right, it's start all
over again.

Anyone have any suggestions on a better way that involves less
trial-and-error?  The lack of feedback is the worst part; it's not
until I'm done that I know if I did a good job and at that point I
can't go back and just tweak my registration points, I have to start
all over....

roland
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Roland B. Roberts, PhD                             RL Enterprises
roland@rlenter.com                     76-15 113th Street, Apt 3B
roland@astrofoto.org                       Forest Hills, NY 11375

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