This is mainly a bug fix release for the reported bugs in beta47. In addition it has a significant User Interface performance improvement noticable when you need to process 1000s of images in APP.
2026-10-03 APP 2.0.0-beta47 has been released !
This is a very big release... many code optimizations/rewrites, many parts of APP are much faster and more precise, especially star analysis and registration are much faster ! Big mosaics will go much faster 🙂
And we introduce a new preview filter, which includes the new Adaptive Deep Sky Stretch and a General Levels Stretch, this has been long over due. The old preview filter (the panel on the right side to stretch and preview your data) has not been updated for a couple of years and it is a critical part of any APP session.
Adaptive Deep Sky Stretch or ADSS is a much more intuitive stretch algorithm. It is also color preserving (which is a great new addition in itself ! ) which means that the highlights are no longer bleached, color is maintained from the linear data while stretching. You can simply stretch your data using the sky background level and signal width sliders which work much easier and more intuitive. You no longer need to fiddle with the old complicated sliders with zoom buttons. All the zoom buttons for the sliders are made redundant. And you can enter slider values in the slider value fields yourself. I will make a youtube video in the coming days to explain and fully introduce ADSS. Once the video is ready, it will be highlighted on the forum.
RGB Combine upgrade !. The RGB Combine Tool has been rewritten mostly. The tool is faster and easier to use and most importantly, the Luminance slider to inject a luminance channel or channels into the RGB composite is now working correctly. It no longer bleaches the RGB colors. Combined with the new ADSS preview, you will get much better and easier great composites with great color! I will also explain this in a new youtube video.
Ethereal Hearts: A 140MP Mosaic of the Heart and Soul Nebulae
This image showcases a 3-panel mosaic of the Heart and Soul Nebulae (IC 1805 and IC 1848), captured in exquisite detail using the Hubble Palette (SHO). The mosaic spans over two seasons of imaging under challenging UK skies, culminating in over 75 hours of total exposure time. The completed image, with an impressive resolution of over 140 megapixels, brings out the intricate structures and glowing regions of these iconic deep-sky objects.
IC 1805 (Heart Nebula): Located in the lower region of the mosaic, this nebula exhibits striking, golden-orange filaments of ionized gas surrounded by glowing blue clouds, indicative of sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen emissions. The "heart-shaped" structure reflects its namesake, highlighting stellar winds and radiation from young, massive stars in the central open cluster, Melotte 15.
IC 1848 (Soul Nebula): Found in the upper portion of the mosaic, the Soul Nebula features complex, interconnected regions of emission, sculpted by intense stellar radiation. Its blue and orange hues, rendered through the SHO palette, reveal the nebula's rich ionized gases.
This mosaic not only emphasizes the vibrant beauty of these nebulae but also underscores the challenges of deep-sky astrophotography. The demanding conditions of UK weather required meticulous planning and patience, making this result a testament to the dedication of the imaging process. Each panel seamlessly blends to form a cohesive representation of these celestial wonders, capturing their interplay of color and structure in remarkable depth.This image is a tribute to the power of modern astrophotography and the enduring appeal of the cosmos, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the Cassiopeia and Perseus constellation regions, approximately 6,000 light-years away from Earth.
This image showcases a 3-panel mosaic of the Heart and Soul Nebulae (IC 1805 and IC 1848), captured in exquisite detail using the Hubble Palette (SHO). The mosaic spans over two seasons of imaging under challenging UK skies, culminating in over 75 hours of total exposure time. The completed image, with an impressive resolution of over 140 megapixels, brings out the intricate structures and glowing regions of these iconic deep-sky objects.
IC 1805 (Heart Nebula): Located in the lower region of the mosaic, this nebula exhibits striking, golden-orange filaments of ionized gas surrounded by glowing blue clouds, indicative of sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen emissions. The "heart-shaped" structure reflects its namesake, highlighting stellar winds and radiation from young, massive stars in the central open cluster, Melotte 15.
IC 1848 (Soul Nebula): Found in the upper portion of the mosaic, the Soul Nebula features complex, interconnected regions of emission, sculpted by intense stellar radiation. Its blue and orange hues, rendered through the SHO palette, reveal the nebula's rich ionized gases.
This mosaic not only emphasizes the vibrant beauty of these nebulae but also underscores the challenges of deep-sky astrophotography. The demanding conditions of UK weather required meticulous planning and patience, making this result a testament to the dedication of the imaging process. Each panel seamlessly blends to form a cohesive representation of these celestial wonders, capturing their interplay of color and structure in remarkable depth.This image is a tribute to the power of modern astrophotography and the enduring appeal of the cosmos, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the Cassiopeia and Perseus constellation regions, approximately 6,000 light-years away from Earth.
