Stretch on Astro Live Stacker

Concepts

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Introduction

By the end of this chapter, the basic concepts of ALS will be familiar to you.

You will understand what ALS does and how it does it.

Stacking

Stacking is the process of combining multiple subs of the same target to generate a more detailed and contrasted image than a single sub.

The quality of the result increases as more subs are used.

Comparison of 8 stacking results
The number of stacked subs is indicated at the top left of each image

Processing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Introduction

In this chapter, you will learn how to improve your images using the Processing panel.

Overview

The Processing panel is the control room for the Process module in ALS.

Located on the right side of the interface, this panel organizes image processing controls into several sections:

Histogram
A graphical representation of pixel intensity distribution.
Auto Stretch
Adjust the strength of the automatic stretch.
Levels
Fine-tune overall exposure and adjust black and white clipping.

Process

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Overview

The Process pipeline handles visual processing tasks applied to the stacking results.

Configuration

The Process pipeline itself requires no configuration.

The configuration of the visual processing tasks is managed by the processes themselves. See the Behavior section below.

Control

The Process module is launched in the background at ALS startup.

Source	Type	Response
sub(s) in queue	Event	trigger processing

Input

Data	Type
sub at queue front	Image

Behavior

Performs visual processing tasks on the stacking result:

Auto-Stretch

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Overview

The Auto-Stretch process optimizes the intensity levels of stacked images, making them visually usable without manual adjustments.

This process is handled by the Process pipeline module.

Configuration

Adjustments can be made through the Processing Panel, located on the right-hand side of the ALS interface.

Control	Type	Action
`Active`	checkbox	Enable or disable the process
`Strength`	slider	Adjust stretch intensity

Refer to the Processing Panel documentation for detailed instructions

Control

The Auto-Stretch process is managed by the Process pipeline

Concepts

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:38 +0000

Introduction

By the end of this chapter, the basic concepts of ALS will be familiar to you.

You will understand what ALS does and how it does it.

Stacking

Stacking is the process of combining multiple subs of the same target to generate a more detailed and contrasted image than a single sub.

The quality of the result increases as more subs are used.

Comparison of 8 stacking results
The number of stacked subs is indicated at the top left of each image

Processing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:38 +0000

Introduction

In this chapter, you will learn how to improve your images using the Processing panel.

Overview

The Processing panel is the control room for the Process module in ALS.

Located on the right side of the interface, this panel organizes image processing controls into several sections:

Histogram
A graphical representation of pixel intensity distribution.
Auto Stretch
Adjust the strength of the automatic stretch.
Levels
Fine-tune overall exposure and adjust black and white clipping.

Process

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:38 +0000

Overview

The Process pipeline handles visual processing tasks applied to the stacking results.

Configuration

The Process pipeline itself requires no configuration.

The configuration of the visual processing tasks is managed by the processes themselves. See the Behavior section below.

Control

The Process module is launched in the background at ALS startup.

Source	Type	Response
sub(s) in queue	Event	trigger processing

Input

Data	Type
sub at queue front	Image

Behavior

Performs visual processing tasks on the stacking result:

Auto-Stretch

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:38 +0000

Overview

The Auto-Stretch process optimizes the intensity levels of stacked images, making them visually usable without manual adjustments.

This process is handled by the Process pipeline module.

Configuration

Adjustments can be made through the Processing Panel, located on the right-hand side of the ALS interface.

Control	Type	Action
`Active`	checkbox	Enable or disable the process
`Strength`	slider	Adjust stretch intensity

Refer to the Processing Panel documentation for detailed instructions

Control

The Auto-Stretch process is managed by the Process pipeline

Concepts

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Introduction

By the end of this chapter, the basic concepts of ALS will be familiar to you.

You will understand what ALS does and how it does it.

Stacking

Stacking is the process of combining multiple subs of the same target to generate a more detailed and contrasted image than a single sub.

The quality of the result increases as more subs are used.

Comparison of 8 stacking results
The number of stacked subs is indicated at the top left of each image

Processing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:51:43 +0000

Introduction

In this chapter, you will learn how to improve your images using the Processing panel.

Overview

The Processing panel is the control room for the Process module in ALS.

Located on the right side of the interface, this panel organizes image processing controls into several sections:

Histogram
A graphical representation of pixel intensity distribution.
Auto Stretch
Adjust the strength of the automatic stretch.
Levels
Fine-tune overall exposure and adjust black and white clipping.

Process

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Overview

The Process pipeline handles visual processing tasks applied to the stacking results.

Configuration

The Process pipeline itself requires no configuration.

The configuration of the visual processing tasks is managed by the processes themselves. See the Behavior section below.

Control

The Process module is launched in the background at ALS startup.

Source	Type	Response
sub(s) in queue	Event	trigger processing

Input

Data	Type
sub at queue front	Image

Behavior

Performs visual processing tasks on the stacking result:

Auto-Stretch

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:33:39 +0000

Overview

The Auto-Stretch process optimizes the intensity levels of stacked images, making them visually usable without manual adjustments.

This process is handled by the Process pipeline module.

Configuration

Adjustments can be made through the Processing Panel, located on the right-hand side of the ALS interface.

Control	Type	Action
`Active`	checkbox	Enable or disable the process
`Strength`	slider	Adjust stretch intensity

Refer to the Processing Panel documentation for detailed instructions

Control

The Auto-Stretch process is managed by the Process pipeline