The Joys of RAW Image Data: Getting the most out of your astrophotos means shooting the correct file format.

This article from Sky & Telescope discusses the benefits of shooting astrophotos in RAW format rather than JPEG. The author explains that RAW files, like film negatives, need to be processed before they can be used to create a final image. RAW files have a higher bit depth than JPEG files, allowing for greater flexibility in adjusting light levels and revealing hidden details. The author emphasizes the importance of image processing skills in achieving desired results and recommends shooting in RAW format for astrophotography. The article concludes by noting that RAW image capture options are becoming more widely available, even on smartphone cameras. [Extracted from the article]