Live Stacking and EAA Make Astronomy More Fun: Here's How

Live Stacking and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) are ways for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers to explore the universe in near real-time.

Astronomy has always been about exploring the wonders of the universe, from distant galaxies to nearby planets. Thanks to technological advancements, modern hobbyists have access to tools (such as smart telescopes) that make observing celestial objects easier and more exciting than ever.

I enjoy using live stacking though my large Dobsonian telescope in the backyard.

Two revolutionary techniques, live stacking and electronically assisted astronomy (EAA), allow backyard astronomers to experience the cosmos in near real-time. These methods combine cutting-edge equipment and software, offering new ways to capture and view the beauty of the night sky.

While I regularly use image-stacking software (such as DeepSkyStacker) to create my long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography projects, live stacking uses a similar process during the observation session to provide a near real-time image in the moment.

This is most commonly done with a dedicated astronomy camera attached to a telescope or an all-in-one smart telescope via a dedicated smartphone app.

An image of the Andromeda Galaxy during the live-stacking process on my smartphone. (Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope).

What Are Live Stacking and EAA?

One of the most common ways to experience live stacking in 2025 is to use a smart telescope such as the Dwarf 3 or Seestar S50. These all-in-one devices make it easy to jump straight into electronically assisted astronomy without fully understanding how the process works.

Live stacking and electronically assisted astronomy share a common goal: to help amateur astronomers and astrophotographers see faint and detailed celestial objects without waiting hours for long-exposure images. While they are closely related, they have distinct purposes:

Live Stacking is a process where multiple short-exposure images of the same object are captured and combined, or “stacked,” in real-time using specialized software. This enhances the image’s clarity, brightness, and detail while reducing noise (unwanted visual static).
Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) refers to the broader practice of using electronic devices, such as cameras and computers, to observe celestial objects in real-time. Live stacking is often a key component of EAA, but EAA also includes simply viewing objects directly through a camera feed.

Both techniques make faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters visible in ways traditional visual observation cannot.

How Does Live Stacking Work?

The live stacking process involves several steps and specialized equipment:

Set Up Your Telescope: A telescope gathers light from celestial objects. Telescopes with larger apertures (the main light-collecting opening) can capture more light, making them ideal for faint objects.
Attach a Camera: Instead of using your eye to look through the telescope, attach an astronomy camera. These cameras, typically digital and highly sensitive, are designed to capture faint light from the night sky.
Use a Computer and Software: The camera connects to a computer running live-stacking software. Popular programs like SharpCap or AstroLive use advanced algorithms to combine images as they are taken.
Take Short-Exposure Images: Unlike traditional astrophotography, which requires long exposures, live stacking uses many short exposures (e.g., 5-30 seconds). Each image is processed and added to the stack in real-time.
Watch the Image Improve: As more images are stacked, the software improves the clarity and detail of the final picture. Brightness increases, and features such as the spiral arms of a galaxy or the fine structure of a nebula become visible.

This method is not only faster than traditional astrophotography but also allows viewers to see the process unfold live on their screens.

Revealing the Horsehead Nebula using live-stacking on the Dwarf 3 smart telescope.

The Role of Technology in EAA

Electronically assisted astronomy relies on technology to transform observing the night sky. Key components include:

Cameras: Dedicated astronomy cameras are more sensitive to light than regular cameras. Some even allow you to capture wavelengths of light beyond human vision, such as infrared or ultraviolet.
Filters: Special filters can block unwanted light (light pollution filters) or enhance specific wavelengths to bring out features of celestial objects. For example, a hydrogen-alpha filter highlights glowing gas in nebulae.
Software: Real-time processing software is the backbone of EAA, enabling live stacking, image enhancement, and data analysis

Together, these tools make it possible to observe faint objects, like the Whirlpool Galaxy, even from light-polluted locations.

In the following video, I use the live-stacking feature of the ZWO ASIAIR to observe the Ring Nebula on my tablet in the backyard. Skip to the 5:37 mark to see what the Ring Nebula looks like through my telescope.

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

Live stacking and EAA offer several benefits compared to older techniques:

Real-Time Results: Unlike traditional astrophotography, which can take hours to produce a single image, EAA provides instant feedback. This makes it perfect for outreach events and group stargazing sessions.
Enhanced Visibility: Many celestial objects are too faint to see clearly through a telescope. Live stacking amplifies the light, revealing details that would otherwise remain invisible.
Accessibility: With the right equipment, even beginners can achieve stunning results. You don’t need years of experience or a remote dark-sky location.
Overcoming Light Pollution: Filters and real-time processing make it possible to observe deep-sky objects from urban areas, bringing astronomy to more people.

Recommended Live Stacking Software for Your PC

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to enjoy live stacking is to use your laptop computer and connect it to your camera to process images in real-time.

For this method, you will need a telescope, a computerized tracking telescope mount, and a dedicated astronomy camera. A laptop computer with the necessary software installed will handle the processing.

Software Recommendations:

SharpCap Pro: A popular choice for live stacking. It supports a wide range of cameras, offers tools for alignment, and has live histogram adjustments. Great for beginners and experienced users.
AstroToaster: Works with DeepSkyStacker and offers live stacking capabilities. Ideal for those using DSLR cameras.
NINA (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy): Primarily for imaging but includes a live stacking plugin for EAA use.

In the video below, the presenter describes his process of live-stacking planets using SharpCap 4.1. This is a very interesting watch for anyone interested in capturing Jupiter, Saturn, or even the Sun using SharpCap.

Examples of What You Can See

Imagine pointing your telescope at the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light-years away. With live stacking, its spiral structure and bright core begin to appear after just a few frames.

Or consider the Orion Nebula, a massive cloud of gas and dust where stars are born—EAA lets you see its glowing tendrils and central cluster of young stars in vivid detail. Even faint star clusters, like the distant Hercules Globular Cluster, can be resolved into individual stars.

The Orion Nebula as seen through the Seestar S50 smart telescope’s live stacking process.

Making Astronomy More Accessible

Live stacking, and EAA are transforming backyard astronomy. These techniques make observing the universe more engaging and less intimidating, even for beginners. By reducing the barriers of light pollution and technical complexity, they open the door for anyone with curiosity and a modest investment in equipment to explore the cosmos.

Whether you dream of capturing the swirling arms of galaxies, the glowing filaments of nebulae, or the rugged craters of the Moon, these tools bring the wonders of space closer than ever before. With live stacking and EAA, the universe is truly at your fingertips.

Trevor Jones is an astrophotographer and a valued member of the RASC. His passion is inspiring others to start their astrophotography journey on YouTube so they can appreciate the night sky as much as he does. His images have been featured in astronomy books & online publications, including the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).

Understanding Live Stacking and EAA in Astronomy