Do i need a new dark library???

[Mav359]

Hi guys

Due to fault with my camera Bernard at modern Astronomy has replaceled my QHY8L like for like.

I had created a dark library and master bias, do i have to redo these as its physically a different camera and therfore a new sensor?

[Spikey]

In a word Yes, but I don't bother with darks for the QHY8 as the noise is so low only Bias are necessary.

[Mav359]

Cheers Simon

Thank's, i think i already knew the answer but i thought i'd check in hope.

A lot of people say that about the darks but i figure if you can do it as library of masters why not, every little helps.

[Spikey]

Depends on how your using the Bias, it's possible to increase noise by applying both Darks and Bias. Try bias subtracting your flats only and see how you get on.

[ollypenrice]

Agreed. Darks can be quite aggressive things so if you can manage by just subtracting a bias this can be an advantage. If you dither between subs and take enough (over 10) then use a sigma routine you should get really clean stacks. On my noisy Kodak chips I subtract a bias and apply a defect map when stacking in AstroArt. This seems to give a slightly cleaner result than dark subtraction. (A defect map is just a dark with 2000 ADU clipped off the bottom.)

Darks and bias are unique to one camera, as Spikey stated.

Olly