Using the medical image processing package, ImageJ, for astronomy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how the versatile, open-source ImageJ software can be effectively used for processing astronomical images, including star trails and planetary images, showcasing its cross-disciplinary utility.

Contribution

It introduces methods for applying ImageJ, traditionally used in medical imaging, to astronomy, highlighting its adaptability for astronomical image processing tasks.

Findings

Successful creation of star trail images using ImageJ

High-quality planetary images produced with ImageJ techniques

Demonstrates ImageJ's versatility across disciplines

Abstract

At the most fundamental level, all digital images are just large arrays of numbers that can easily be manipulated by computer software. Specialized digital imaging software packages often use routines common to many different applications and fields of study. The freely available, platform independent, image-processing package ImageJ has many such functions. We highlight ImageJ's capabilities by presenting methods of processing sequences of images to produce a star trail image and a single high quality planetary image.