About the RAW Files We Provide

What Raw Data Can You Download?

You can download raw data from your observations in Enhanced Vision or Citizen Science mode. Please note that Live View data is not available for download.

Currently, the following formats are supported:

• .fits – The gold standard in astronomy, fully compatible with most professional processing routines.

• .tiff – Ideal for software-based image processing.

• .png – A simplified format, but not the same as a phone-generated PNG. These files remain grayscale (see explanation below).

Why Are My Raw Images Gray?

The raw frames are not directly in color. Instead, they are stored as Bayer matrices.
Each 2x2 pixel block contains:

• 2 green pixels

• 1 red pixel

• 1 blue pixel

Each pixel stores the intensity of that color channel. To reconstruct a full-color image, the data must be combined using a demosaicing (debayering) algorithm, which calculates RGB pixels from the Bayer matrix.
Our Bayer pattern is 

RGGB for eVscope and eQuinox

RGGB for the Odyssey telescopes

⚠️ Raw data processing is recommended for advanced users who are already familiar with these techniques.

How Do I Process Raw Data?

You have several options:

1. Write your own code to handle the data.

2. Use professional routines for FITS processing.

3. Leverage third-party software, both free and commercial (e.g., PixInsight, Siril, Affinity).

The choice depends on your preferences and experience.

Important Notes