Comparing various Pixinsight preprocessing processes

So far, I used the Preprocessing script in Pixinsight with the default values (except for using different pixel rejection algorithms depending on the number of subs). Kayron Mercieca has on his Lightvortexastronomy blog a tutorial using custom weights, preprocessing, ImageIntegration with Sigma High and Low parameter optimization and DrizzleIntegration for this. This will take MUCH longer to preprocess my images, so I wanted to try out what the different modes do:

1. Preprocess Script with default values
2. Preprocess Script for calibrating and registering and ImageIntegration with Sigma High and Low parameter optimization
3. Custom Weights (using the Subframe selector script) plus everything in #2
4. Everything in #3 plus DrizzleIntegration

I then used the SubframeSelector script in Pixinsight to measure these images:

	FWHM (pixel)	SNRWeight
#1	1.766	3.427
#2	1.770	3.692
#3	1.754	3.710
#4	3.693	6.927

The FWHM increase in #4 is surprising. But remember that drizzling upsamples the entire image by 2. So, for a better comparison, I downsampled #4 by 2:

	FWHM (pixel)	SNRWeight
#4 - downsampled	2.016	7.249

The degradation in FHWM is unfortunate - but the increase in SNR is amazing!!!

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Vicent recommended to try Gaussian drops for DrizzleIntegration. He saw in my sample images a significant drop in FWHM. With that, I get:

	FWHM (pixel)	SNRWeight
#4 - downsampled Gaussian drop	1.953	5.674

First observation was: Drizzling with Gaussian samples is MUCH slower (several times slower then with square drops).

So, FWHM is significantly down. But so is the SNR. Vicent recommended to set the "Drop Shrink" parameter to 1 if I use Gaussian drops. With that, I get:

	FWHM (pixel)	SNRWeight
#4 - downsampled Gaussian drop - Drop Shrink=1	1.963	5.674

I.e. no improvement in SNR but a slight degredation in FWHM. My main challenge when imaging from our backyard is the noise from the light pollution. So, I think I stick with square drops. 

This is also visible in the (stretched) images:

DrizzleIntegration with Square drops

DrizzleIntegration with Gaussian drops

There is much more detail when using Square drops. So, I'll go with that one (for now).