Binning image data, and why you should do it.How losing some resolution in your images can help you capture more detail.
Binning is the process of combining the pixels of a camera sensor together to make ‘super pixels’, with the effect of increasing the camera’s sensitivity at the cost of image resolution. By increasing sensor sensitivity, you acquire deeper data in a shorter time than you would without binning. And, as we’ll find out, matching image resolution to sky conditions can be a benefit in itself. Binning sounds complex,but is quite straightforward.Imagine your camera sensor as a grid of individual pixels; when you take a photograph, the camera reads every pixel in the grid separately, generating an image with a 1:1 signal to noise ratio – this is technically 1x1 binning.With 2x2 binning, the camera will read each block of four pixels as one, resulting in a higher ratio of signal to noise and a lower resolution.
This story is from the November 2017 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2017 edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Water, Water, Everywhere?
Penny Wozniakiewicz investigates why astronomers are so concerned with finding water in the Solar System, and why it is vital to our exploration of space
O&A WITH AN ECLIPSE CHASER
On 14 October 2023, an annular eclipse passed across mainland USA. Comedian and stargazer Jon Culshaw was there to witness it
Bresser ISA Space Exploration NASA 70/700 AZ telescope
This beginners' package has everything you need to see the Sun, Moon and planets
Ursa Major 6-inch f/8 Planetary Dobsonian
A decent option for would-be planetary observers on a limited budget
Use freeware to create star trail images
How to turn your frames into beautiful star trail photos in a few clicks
Venus's hostile atmosphere
Katrin Raynor takes a look at a planet where the skies boil and the clouds rain acid
Build your EYEPIECE COLLECTION
Great eyepieces are crucial to any astronomical setup. Here Tim Jardine arms you with the info you need to choose the best ones to invest in
THE BIG THREE
The top sights to observe or image this month
The remains of CREATION UNDERSTANDING THE CMB
Left over from the Big Bang, the cosmic microwave background gives astronomers an insight into the entire history of our Universe. Ezzy Pearson explains
A December GRAND TOUR
Just like the epic journeys of the Voyager probes to our Solar System's outer planets, this tour takes you to the gas and ice giants as they line up in the night sky this month. Stuart Atkinson is your guide