AutoStakkert!
The primary function of AutoStakkert! is to align and stack planetary, Lunar and Solar videos or image sequences to produce an output image ready for post-processing.
AutoStakkert! uses lucky imaging to help negate the effects of the Earth’s atmosphere and improve image resolution.
AutoStakkert! first analyses and stabilises the image frames to help remove tracking errors. It will automatically centre a planet or stabilise the surface of the Moon or Sun.
Once analysed AutoStakkert! will assess the quality of each frame and reorder them from best to worst. This makes it easy for the user to select the percentage of frames to keep and which to discard.
The best quality frames are aligned and stacked using multiple alignment points producing an output image that is ready for post-processing.
This freeware is one of the best ways to stabilise, align and stack planetary, Lunar and Solar images. The software is regularly updated and benefits from a wealth of online guides and tutorials generated by the astrophotography community.
Full details can be found on the AutoStakkert! website.
Link to website – https://www.autostakkert.com/
Autostakkert! At-a-glance
Use for:
- Pre-processing of Planetary, Lunar and Solar videos or image sequences
- Uses lucky imaging to improve resolution
- It can also be applied to deep sky images to resolve small-scale features in galaxies and small planetary nebula
Main Features
- Planet COG and surface stabilisation of frames
- Fine-scale alignment
- Multiple alignment points compensate for seeing fluctuations
- Automatic or manual placement of alignment points
- Drizzle and resample to increase the size of planetary images
- Brightness normalisation
- Multicore support for fast processing
- Batch processing
- You can use calibration frames: darks, flats, bias frames
Support
- Regularly updated with new features and bug fixes
- The last update was in January 2024
- Tutorials and guides available
- Features in popular astronomy publications
- Large user base: popular with planetary photographers
- Additional support on popular astronomy forums
Latest Version
The current version and previous versions of AutoStakkert! can be downloaded from the official website’s download page.
AutoStakkert!4 – 4.0.11 – January 21, 2024
AutoStakkert!3 – 3.1.4 – June 26, 2018
AutoStakkert!2 – 2.6.8 – June 23, 2016
AutoStakkert! is a Windows-only software but if necessary can be emulated on MacOS or Linux.
Link to latest version – https://www.autostakkert.com/wp/download/
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the links are correct and current, Stellar Discovery is not responsible for the content of these linked pages. Stellar Discovery does not distribute software.
Stellar Discovery has no affiliation with this software package and has no direct interaction with the development team or the updating of this software. Any questions regarding this software should be sent directly to the software developers.
Credit and References
AutoStakkert!
Copyright (C) 2012-2023 by Emil Kraaikamp, Ruinerwold, The Netherlands.
Emil Kraaikamp is the current lead developer for Autostakkert!