Stacking astro photos vs single long exposures - which actually gives better results?

I used to think stacking 50+ images was just overkill processing nonsense, but after trying it on a shot of the Orion Nebula last winter I have to admit the detail difference was massive. Still though, single exposures capture more spontaneous moments and don't require hours of software work - what's your experience been with either method?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicecraig22d ago

Yeah the "overkill processing nonsense" part really hit home for me, I was totally that person too. But once I stacked some shots of the Andromeda galaxy it was like seeing it for the first time, the noise just disappeared and the colors popped way more than any single exposure I've ever taken. Do you find the extra software time worth it for every target or just the faint ones?

martin.riley21d ago

@alicecraig Andromeda was my gateway too, now I stack everything even bright star clusters because the color pops like crazy.