The histogram is a graphical representation of your image’s brightness levels. It’s an invaluable tool for setting exposure time in astrophotography.
A well-balanced histogram shows data spread without clipping highlights (right edge) or crushing shadows (left edge). Overexposure clips bright stars, while underexposure loses faint details.
Take a test shot, check the histogram, and adjust your exposure time accordingly. This method ensures you capture maximum detail without losing important information.