What If My Astro Photos Stop Stacking

If you notice that the number of stacked images has stopped increasing, it could be due to various reasons. This guide will help you troubleshoot the issue step-by-step.

1. Common Causes of Stacking Failure

Stacking may fail for the following reasons:

1. Clouds or Obstacles: Stars are not detected due to clouds or obstructions in the view.
2. Misfocus: Stars are not sharp or round.
3. Unsteady Tracking: Stars appear as trails instead of points due to poor tracking.
4. Wind or Vibration: Movement of the tripod or windy conditions can distort the images.
5. Overexposure: The background is too bright, often due to high gain or light pollution (e.g., high Bortle levels).

2. How to Troubleshoot Stacking Issues

Step 1: Check Your SD Card

• Ensure there is sufficient space on your SD card.
• If the card is full, free up space and try again.

Step 2: Locate and Send Files for Review

If stacking still fails:

1. Check for a folder named "DWARF_RAW_DATE" (where "DATE" is the time the photos were taken).
2. Zip this folder.
3. Share it with us via WeTransfer.com/GoogleDrive.com at hello@dwarflab.com.

Our engineers will review the files to identify the root cause.

Step 3: Diagnose the Issue Yourself

If you have software to open FITS files, you can analyze the unstacked photos. Here’s how:

1. Open the shotsInfo.json file in the folder to see how many frames were successfully stacked.
   • If the number is 0, stacking failed.
2. Inspect the individual frames to check for:
   • Overexposure: Reduce the gain if the background is too bright.
   • Misfocus: Ensure stars are sharp and round.
   • Star Trails: Poor tracking can cause stars to streak. Wait 30 seconds after GoTo for the scope to stabilize.
   • Wind or Vibration: Ensure the tripod is steady and not affected by wind or movement.

3. How to Ensure Successful Stacking Next Time

To avoid stacking issues in the future, follow these guidelines:

1. Starry Sky: Make sure you’re capturing a clear, starry sky without clouds or obstructions.
2. Proper Focus: Focus until stars appear sharp and round. Refer to our focus tutorial for assistance.
3. Avoid Overexposure: Reduce the gain to prevent the background from being too bright.
4. Stable Tracking: After using GoTo, wait at least 30 seconds for the scope to stabilize.
5. Minimize Vibration: Ensure the tripod is steady and protected from wind or movement.

4. Additional Notes

• If stacking fails, a broken image icon will appear in the album.
• Stacking is only triggered when the camera detects celestial objects (e.g., stars).

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot stacking problems and ensure better results in your astrophotography. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at support@dwarflab.com