Journey's End

Jul 04
2026

Siril Script to Calculate Total Sequence Exposure Time

When stacking sub-exposures of different durations while also disabling images based on FWHM and visual inspection the question of "what is the total exposure time" can be difficult to answer. The following python script should answer the question.

from collections import Counter

import sirilpy as s

siril = s.SirilInterface()
siril.connect()

seq = siril.get_seq()

print(f'Computing exposure time for sequence {seq.seqname}')
print(f'Sequence has {seq.number} images, {seq.selnum} selected/enabled')

exp_time_table = Counter()

for idx, imparam in enumerate(seq.imgparam):
    if not imparam.incl:
        continue

    header = siril.get_seq_frame_header(idx, return_as='dict')
    exp_time_table[header['EXPTIME']] += 1

total_exp_time_s = 0
for exp_time, count in exp_time_table.items():
    print(f'Exposure time: {count:4d} x {exp_time:4.0f} secs')
    total_exp_time_s += exp_time * count

total_exp_time_min = total_exp_time_s / 60
total_exp_time_hr = total_exp_time_s / 3600

print(f'Total exposure time: {total_exp_time_s:.0f} secs (={total_exp_time_min:.1f} mins '
      f'={total_exp_time_hr:.1f} hrs)')

Example output:

14:06:45: Computing exposure time for sequence r_ngc_6188_combined_
14:06:45: Sequence has 606 images, 566 selected/enabled
14:06:46: Exposure time:  293 x   60 secs
14:06:46: Exposure time:  248 x   30 secs
14:06:46: Exposure time:   25 x  120 secs
14:06:46: Total exposure time: 28020 secs (=467.0 mins =7.8 hrs)

Jan 23
2024

Estimating a Supernova's Brightness as an Amateur

Introduction

2023rve is the designation given to a Type II supernova discovered on 2023-09-08 by Mohammad Odeh from UAE. It appears to be part of NGC 1097, a galaxy 45 million light years away. Due to it’s brightness, 2023rve was visible to budget amateur astronomers/astrophotographers like myself.

Below …

ts=12:11 tags=[astronomy]

Oct 27
2023

DIY EQMod Direct USB Cable

I am in the process of resurrecting my Eq5 Pro so it is compatible with ASIAir Mini. The first step is to build an EQMod Direct USB cable. While it is possible to buy one pre-made, since I had all the parts I decided to build it myself.

Based on …

Mar 05
2022

Adventures with Astroberry/KStars/Ekos

In astrophotography the combination of a goto mount, a camera and plate-solving is a powerful one. It allows you to do all kind of neat things, like polar-alignment without having a clear view of the south, extremely accurate goto functionality, and automated capture of multiple predefined targets.

There are roughly …

Feb 22
2022

Astrophotography Notes: ISO, Light Pollution, Histograms

ISO

I, like many people, thought that lower ISO means less noise. However this isn't true, at least not for modern camera. As a first order approximation, my understanding is that the signal path looks something like this:

  1. Photons impact the sensor
  2. Sensor generates electrical signal
  3. ISO amplifier amplifies the …
ts=14:32 tags=[astronomy]

Feb 09
2022

Verifying GoTo Mount Settings

I recently got a iOptron SmartEQ Pro+ mount and while setting it up I was confused over the time. Should it be local time and then I set the UTC offset in minutes? What do I do with the DST setting?

One way I found of checking whether my settings …

ts=06:16 tags=[astronomy]

Apr 22
2011

Another Galaxy Down

Found NGC 4594, aka the Sombrero Galaxy.

In addition also found what is probably cataracts in my eyes \>.\<


Cheers,

Steve

ts=14:16 tags=[astronomy]

Mar 26
2010

Notes on PHD Guiding

  • Maximum RA guide pulse is 1000ms (1s). If PHD is not locking on to the star and it says "dur=1000" in the status bar, a better polar alignment is required.
  • RA hysteresis is used in a 2-term weighted moving average:

RA_dist = (1.0 - RA_hysteresis) * RA_dist + RA_hysteresis * last_guide

Cheers,
Steve …

ts=02:45 tags=[astronomy,code]

Mar 11
2010

My First Galaxies (Kinda)

I finally managed to find some galaxies last night. This has been something that has eluded me due to my location, inexperience, and frankly inadequate equipment. (You in the back! Stop snickering!)

Last night, with my Canon 1000D I caught the barest glimpses of M83 and NGC 5128, aka the …

Sep 21
2009

Jun 20
2008

May 09
2007