VideoStack for Galaxy 1.9

Credit: The astrophotography of the M51 Whirlpool galaxy was captured by Adam Kohorn utilizing an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

For image acquisition, any camera app can be used to record video footage, which can then be exported to VideoStack for processing. The stacking process enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the images, revealing greater detail in galaxies and nebulae, including their coloration and structural nuances. The app leverages the computational capabilities of the mobile device, consolidating what traditionally required desktop-based astrophotography software into a streamlined mobile solution. It is compatible with videos captured using both manual and go-to telescope setups.

An automatically generated TIFF file from the stacked video is saved for further image editing and analysis.

Video Demonstrations:

• Milky Way - https://youtu.be/EgaDj_SB_LQ
• M31 - Andromeda Galaxy - https://youtu.be/qFF0WZ7IV9M
• Import Video - https://youtu.be/rZAz0e_MUq8
• M42 - Orion Nebula - https://youtu.be/pZLFdRAd5R4

Background and Purpose

Astrophotography traditionally involves significant expense and time investment, often requiring specialized tracking mounts to compensate for Earth's rotation, as well as dedicated cameras capable of capturing interval sequences of the night sky. These images typically need to be uploaded to desktop software for alignment and stacking procedures. The advent of VideoStack introduces an alternative approach—by recording videos of celestial objects and processing them directly on a mobile device, this method simplifies the workflow significantly. The app integrates three demonstration videos: one of the Milky Way captured by Daniel Mendell, and the M31 and M42 videos filmed by the developer.

File Management and Optimization

While VideoStack supports unlimited stacking durations, the resulting video files can be large, occupying substantial storage space on your device. To optimize storage utilization, it is recommended to use the VideoCam app to record videos efficiently by selecting an appropriate frame rate. For instance, capturing the Milky Way at a resolution of 4032 x 3024 pixels at 1 frame per second results in approximately 50 MB per minute of footage; thus a five-minute video would require around 250 MB. For imaging nebulae or distant galaxies through a telescope, recording at 3 frames per second at the same resolution consumes roughly 150 MB per minute. Adjusting resolution settings in VideoCam for iOS can further reduce file sizes before exporting to VideoStack for stacking.

Enjoy your astrophotography pursuits!