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arXiv · 2507.14289

Tools for High Precision Photometry from Wide-Field Color Images

Kaloyan Penev·Angel Romero·S. Javad Jafarzadeh·Olivier Guyon·Wilfred Gee·Preethi Krishnamoorthy
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Abstract

We present AstroWISP: a collection of image processing tools for source extraction, background determination, point spread function/pixel response function fitting, and aperture photometry. AstroWISP is particularly well-suited for working with detectors featuring a Bayer mask (an array of microfilters applied to each detector pixel to allow color photography), such as consumer DSLR cameras. Such detectors pose significant challenges for existing tools while offering a much cheaper alternative to specialized devices. As a result, consumer DSLR cameras with Bayer masks are often underutilized for precision photometry. \astrowisp{} addresses this limitation in an effort to democratize precision photometry and support broader community participation in research. We demonstrate that our tools produce high-precision photometry from such images, enabling the use of such devices for detecting exoplanet transits. We package our tools for all major operating systems to ensure accessibility for amateur astronomers.

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Kaloyan Penev, Angel Romero, S. Javad Jafarzadeh, Olivier Guyon, Wilfred Gee, Preethi Krishnamoorthy. 2025-07-18. Tools for High Precision Photometry from Wide-Field Color Images. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881%2Fadf640

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