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THE FEUTEX TOOLKIT

Astrophotography Stack Signal-to-Noise

Estimate stacked signal-to-noise from source, background, dark current and read noise.

Astronomy workspace● Runs in your browser
01 Your input
02 Your result
View or copy raw result data
FormulaTotal source signal = n*s*t; Stack signal-to-noise = sqrt(n)*s*t/sqrt((s+b+d)*t+r**2)
Sources and model references

Worked example

Inputs

Source rate
10 electrons/s
Background rate
5 electrons/s
Dark current
0.1 electrons/s
Read noise
3 electrons RMS
Exposure time
60 s
Frame count
16 frames

Expected results

Total source signal
9600 electrons
Stack signal-to-noise
79.34155259

Load the example in the workspace to reproduce these results. Display rounding does not change the underlying calculation.

How to use this tool

  1. Estimate stacked signal-to-noise from source, background, dark current and read noise.
  2. Set source rate, background rate, dark current, read noise, exposure time, frame count in the indicated units.
  3. Calculate and compare total source signal, stack signal-to-noise.

Try this example

{
  "s": 10,
  "b": 5,
  "d": 0.1,
  "r": 3,
  "t": 60,
  "n": 16
}

Accuracy and scope

Idealized educational model. Enter measured values in the displayed units; real systems may require additional corrections.

Is my data uploaded?

This tool runs locally in your browser. Input and output are not sent to a processing server. Copy or download your result before leaving the page.