Bias & Dark Integration Warnings

Nick Kohrn

Hello,

I noticed some warnings when using ImageIntegration to create master bias and master dark files, and I am hoping you can help me identify what I am doing incorrectly. Attached are screenshots of my ImageIntegration instance configuration and the warnings in the console.

I followed the instructions in PixInsight's Master Calibration Frames: Acquisition and Processing tutorial, so I did not expect to encounter warnings. However, may they be safely disregarded?

Thank you,

Nick

BlockHead

Nick,

Of all the times to be comprehensive... lol. 

When someone presents an issue to me they rarely post a single screencapture.

However, in your case the answer is found in the *first* warning of the console.

"No valid PSF signals.... "

So Nick... what does this mean. What is a PSF? This is what I hope you come to AdamBlockStudios for. It isn't for the step-by-step alone. I explain the meanings of the concepts and the words. In particular I explain all about PSFs in a number of places in my tutorials. (Dynamic PSF and SPCC). But again what is a PSF??

It is a star. That is it. PSFs are stars.

So  the warning... No valid stars signals. Yep, a bias frame and a dark frame will not have any stars. Why is this warning here? Because the developers forgot to not bother checking biases and darks- they should only be checking light frames. 

All this is from a single sentence. I believe there was an announcement sometime ago they were going to remove this warning for biases and darks. I don't know what version of PI you are using...if you are up-to-date...then it will be in the next release.

I could have just told you- Yes you can ignore the warning. And moved on. That is what 99% of instructors and content creators would do. I explain what it means and why you can care about or ignore the warning. 

-the Blockhead 

Nick Kohrn

Adam,

Thank you for your detailed explanation. I know, as a result of watching your incredibly thorough videos, that PSF relates to stars. Because I am dealing with bias and dark frames here, I know that there should be no stars, and, therefore, no PSF should be calculated.

I missed the announcement from the PixInsight team stating that the warnings will be removed. I am happy to know that it's an internal oversight and not something related to the configuration of my ImageIntegration instance. I am using PixInsight 1.8.9-3 build 1614 from 2024-10-18, so I will look for the removal of the warning in future releases.

By the way, I develop software, so I do my best to provide screenshots and as much detail as possible when asking for assistance. I know what it's like to be presented with insufficient information when attempting to assist someone. :D

Thank you for taking the time out of your weekend to help. I will continue building my bias and dark libraries now.

Thank you,

Nick