Astronomers have detailed the complex photographic and digital processing steps required to reveal the true appearance of the Andromeda galaxy, our Milky Way Galaxy's closest major galactic neighbor. To answer what does the Andromeda galaxy really look like, experts examined raw long-exposure telescopic images captured from a garden observatory in Portugal in 2019 that contain distracting Earth-based flaws.
How are image imperfections cleaned up?
Specialized software packages including Astro Pixel Processor, DeepSkyStacker, and PixInsight are used instead of standard photo editors to reduce image flaws. This digital cleanup process combines 223 separate 300-second exposures while minimizing artifacts like satellite trails and bad pixels to recreate the authentic likeness of the distant galaxy.
Why is digital processing necessary for space photos?
Astronomical image processing is performed not to create a digital fantasy, but to remove Earthly artifacts that interfere with observations. By filtering out atmospheric and orbital disturbances captured through busy skies, scientists and astrophotographers can better present what the Andromeda galaxy really looks like to human observers.
