What it does
DeepSkyStacker registers astronomical light frames and combines them with calibration frames, with controls for alignment, stacking and intermediate output.
DeepSkyStacker’s registration score helps choose which light frames reach the stack, while the proposed calibration matches can be checked before processing. The documented default result is an AutoSave TIFF beside the reference light frame; if that name exists, numbered AutoSave files are created. Optional calibrated and registered intermediates also sit beside their matching light frames as uncompressed TIFF or FITS, which can add substantial storage. Drizzle has a separate cost: the manual says it creates images four or nine times bigger and can demand a great deal of memory and disk space on already large camera images. Keep those output choices in view before starting a long stack.
Strengths
- Frame scores guide stacking selection
- Calibration and registration steps are reviewable
Watch out for
- Drizzle can require substantial memory and disk space
Best for
- Calibrating and stacking deep-sky exposures
Sources
- DeepSkyStacker user's manual (Oct 26, 2026)
- DeepSkyStacker autosave naming (Oct 26, 2026)
- DeepSkyStacker source/licence (Oct 26, 2026)