How to Stack Mars Video with Local Quality Stacking
Process Mars videos online and reveal surface features. Stack and enhance polar caps, dark regions, and dust storms.
Advanced Mode Tutorial
This guide covers manual configuration in Advanced Mode where you select the stacking algorithm and fine-tune all parameters. For automatic processing, try Quick Mode - it detects your video type and applies optimal settings automatically.
TL;DR
Want full control over your Mars processing? Local Quality Stacking is a Advanced-level algorithm. The AutoStakkert method - 30-40% more detail possible It works especially well for White polar ice caps (CO2 and water ice). This guide shows you how to configure Local Quality Stacking in Advanced Mode for optimal results.
Introduction
Mars is one of the most rewarding targets for amateur astrophotographers. With its White polar ice caps (CO2 and water ice) and Dark albedo features (Syrtis Major, Mare Acidalium), even modest equipment can capture impressive detail. However, raw video footage straight from your camera rarely shows the full potential of your observations.
This is where Local Quality Stacking comes in. By intelligently combining hundreds or thousands of video frames, Local Quality Stacking Divides the image into a 6x6 grid of regions. The result? A single image with dramatically improved detail and reduced noise.
In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to use Local Quality Stacking to process your Mars videos using Uranum AstroStack AI - a cloud-based tool that replaces complex desktop software like PIPP, AutoStakkert, and Registax with a simple, browser-based workflow.
Whether you're using a smartphone through an eyepiece or a dedicated planetary camera, this tutorial will help you achieve professional-quality results.
What is Local Quality Stacking?
Divides the image into a grid and selects the best frames independently for each region. Different parts of the frame can have their sharpest moments at different times. This "best of each region" approach can reveal 30-40% more surface detail.
How It Works:
- 1Divides the image into a 6x6 grid of regions
- 2Each region independently selects its sharpest frames
- 3The left side of Jupiter might use different frames than the right side
- 4Regions blend together with Gaussian smoothing to prevent visible boundaries
Best For:
- Maximum planetary detail extraction from good source footage
- Jupiter/Saturn where different regions peak at different moments
- Captures with thousands of high-quality frames
- Experienced imagers who want the absolute best results
Not Recommended For:
- •Smartphone/compressed footage - compression limits benefit
- •Short captures (<1000 frames) - not enough variation
- •Poor seeing nights - there may be no good frames for some regions
- •Quick processing - takes longer than global methods
Why Use Local Quality Stacking for Mars?
Mars presents unique challenges for astrophotographers: Very small apparent size except near opposition (max ~25 arcsec) and Surface detail is low contrast - very sensitive to seeing. Local Quality Stacking is one of the recommended algorithms for Mars because it effectively addresses these challenges.
Local Quality Stacking is Recommended for Mars
- Feature Enhancement: Mars's White polar ice caps (CO2 and water ice) benefit from Local Quality Stacking's ability to Maximum planetary detail extraction from good source footage.
- Challenge Mitigation: The Very small apparent size except near opposition (max ~25 arcsec) is handled well because Local Quality Stacking Each region independently selects its sharpest frames.
- Skill Level: As a Advanced-level algorithm, Local Quality Stacking is suited for users who want more control over results.
Pro tip: For Mars, you might also try Weighted Quality Stacking or Sigma-Clip Stacking for comparison.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Follow these steps to process your Mars video using Uranum AstroStack AI. The entire process takes about 5-10 minutes.
Step 1: Capture Your Mars Video
For best results, capture 5,000-15,000 frames at 100-200 fps. Maximum duration: 2-3 minutes (24.6h rotation). Use 5-15ms exposure at Medium (280-380) gain.
Tip: Mars is VERY seeing-sensitive - only image on excellent nights
Step 2: Upload Your Mars Video
Drag and drop your Mars video file into Uranum. We support AVI, SER, MP4, MOV, and MKV formats (up to 1.5GB free, 4GB Starter, 10GB Pro).
Tip: SER format preserves maximum quality. MP4/MOV have compression artifacts but still work well.
Step 3: Select Mars as Object Type
Choose "Mars" from the object type dropdown. This applies optimized defaults including stack percentage (10-20%) for average seeing and enhancement settings tuned for White polar ice caps (CO2 and water ice).
Tip: Quick Mode will auto-detect optimal settings. Use Advanced Mode only if you need specific control.
Step 4: Choose Your Mode
Quick Mode: Automatic processing with intelligent frame selection - recommended for most users. Advanced Mode: Manual control over Local Quality Stacking and all parameters.
Tip: Quick Mode uses knee-detection to find optimal stack percentage automatically.
Step 5: For Advanced Mode: Select Local Quality Stacking
In the Stacking section, choose "Local Quality Stacking". The AutoStakkert method - 30-40% more detail possible
Tip: Local Quality Stacking is Advanced-level. Maximum planetary detail extraction from good source footage.
Step 6: Set Stack Percentage Based on Seeing
Adjust based on your seeing conditions: Poor (5-10%), Average (10-20%), Good (20-30%), Excellent (30-40%). When in doubt, start with 10-20%.
Tip: Lower percentage = sharper but noisier. Higher percentage = smoother but potentially softer.
Step 7: Start Processing
Click "Start Processing". Uranum analyzes frames, ranks them by quality, stacks the best ones, and applies enhancements. Processing typically takes 2-5 minutes.
Tip: Track progress in real-time. Processing time depends on frame count and your tier.
Step 8: Download Your Result
Compare before/after using the slider. Download in PNG (8/16-bit), TIFF (16-bit), or FITS (32-bit for scientific use).
Tip: 16-bit TIFF preserves the most data for further processing in PixInsight, Photoshop, etc.
Recommended Settings for Mars + Local Quality Stacking
These are recommended starting values for Mars videos with Local Quality Stacking in Advanced Mode. Use them as a baseline and adjust based on your specific video quality and conditions.
| Setting | Value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Capture Duration | 2-3 minutes (24.6h rotation) | Mars has specific rotation limits. Exceeding this causes motion blur that stacking cannot fix. |
| Frame Count Target | 5,000-15,000 frames | More frames = more to choose from. Capture at 100-200 fps for optimal sampling. |
| Stack Percentage (Average Seeing) | 10-20% | For typical seeing conditions, stack 10-20% of frames. Adjust based on your seeing: poor (5-10%), average (10-20%), good (20-30%), excellent (30-40%). Quick Mode auto-detects optimal percentage. |
| Stacking Algorithm | Local Quality Stacking | The AutoStakkert method - 30-40% more detail possible |
| Wavelet Preset | Balanced to Aggressive | Mars benefits from moderate to strong sharpening (small target needs enhancement). Quick Mode auto-selects based on image sharpness analysis. |
| Output Format | 16-bit PNG or TIFF | 16-bit preserves maximum tonal information. Use for further processing in other software. |
| Grid Size | 6x6 (default) | Smaller grid (4x4) for small targets like Mars. Larger grid (8x8) for Moon regions with lots of detail variation. |
Capture Settings Reminder
For best results with Mars, capture at 100-200 fps with 5-15ms exposure and Medium (280-380) gain.
Tips for Best Results
Capture Tips for Mars
- Mars is VERY seeing-sensitive - only image on excellent nights
- Use IR-pass filter (685nm+) to cut through atmospheric turbulence
- Stack only the best 10-20% - Mars rewards selectivity
- Perihelic oppositions (Mars near perihelion) give largest apparent size
Processing Tips
- Start with Quick Mode to see baseline results
- Use Advanced Mode to fine-tune wavelets and sharpening
- Export as 16-bit TIFF for maximum quality
- Compare different algorithms to find your preference
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Don't over-sharpen - it creates artifacts and noise halos
- •Don't stack 100% of frames - quality matters more than quantity
- •Don't capture during poor seeing - wait for stable air
- •Don't forget to let your telescope acclimate to outside temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about planetary video stacking and processing.
Related Guides
Explore more tutorials to expand your planetary imaging skills.
Local Quality Stacking for Other Planets
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