- Skipping Calibration Frames: Always use dark, flat, and bias frames to clean your images.
- Ignoring Alignment: Misaligned stacking leads to blurry stars—use alignment tools carefully.
- Overdoing Noise Reduction: Excessive smoothing can erase fine details; apply noise reduction gently.
- Oversharpening: Too much sharpening causes halos and artifacts—be subtle.
- Neglecting Color Balance: Adjust colors and histograms to reveal true star and nebula hues.
By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll build a solid foundation and create clearer, more vibrant astro images.
