• In the initial phase of processing raw image files for planetary and solar imaging, the software of choice is Planetary Imaging PreProcessor (PIPP), specifically configured with editing options tailored for the "Solar-Lunar Full Disc" mode. This optimization ensures that the software's functionalities align seamlessly with the unique requirements of processing solar images. PIPP serves as a powerful tool for tasks such as cropping, centering, and discarding of unusable frames, streamlining the data preparation process.

<aside> 💡 Upload the image frames, dark frames and flat frames properly in their proper places.

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• The preprocessing workflow begins with the importation of raw image files, along with the accompanying flat frames and dark frames, amalgamating them into a cohesive unit using the "Join Mode" feature. Subsequently, cropping is employed to attain the desired pixel dimensions, optimizing the framing for the solar subject.
• An essential step in the process involves setting the "Object Detection Threshold" value, a critical parameter that determines the sensitivity of the software in detecting object (Sun) pixels within the frames. This value can be configured manually or automatically, allowing for flexibility based on specific imaging conditions. Following this, the software facilitates the selection of the number or percentage of frames to align through the "Only Keep the Best Quality Frames" option. PIPP employs a sophisticated "Total Brightness Algorithm" to arrange each frame based on its quality, ensuring that the most optimal data is prioritized for alignment.

<aside> 💡 Make sure you uncheck the “Convert color to monochrome option” in Processing Options to avoid loosing the color. It can be done if you are willing to add the color back, for aesthetic purposes during Post-processing phase.

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• The ultimate output from this preprocessing stage is an AVI video file. This file encapsulates frames with a centrally aligned solar disk, organized in accordance with their respective quality rankings. By adopting this meticulous preprocessing approach, the resulting video output is not only visually coherent but also optimized for further enhancement and analysis in subsequent stages of the astrophotography workflow.