Beginner's Guide to Processing JWST Images

The James Webb Space Telescope releases raw data to the public through the MAST archive. Here's how you can process this data yourself to create beautiful images:

**Step 1: Download Data** Visit the MAST portal (https://mast.stsci.edu) and search for JWST observations. You can filter by target, instrument, or observation date. Download the .fits files for your chosen target.

**Step 2: Required Software** - DS9 or FITS Liberator for viewing FITS files - Python with astropy and photutils libraries - Image processing software like GIMP or Photoshop

**Step 3: Calibration** Most JWST data is already pipeline-calibrated. Look for files with '_cal.fits' suffix. These have had instrumental signatures removed, cosmic rays cleaned, and flux calibrated.

**Step 4: Combining Filters** JWST typically observes in multiple filters. Common combinations: - RGB: F444W (red), F200W (green), F090W (blue) - For nebulae: F470N (red), F187N (green), F140M (blue)

Load each filter into separate image channels and adjust brightness curves to balance them.

**Step 5: Enhancement** - Stretch the histogram to reveal faint details - Adjust color balance for aesthetically pleasing results - Remove noise using median filters (carefully!) - Sharpen important features

**Tips:** - Start with popular targets (Carina Nebula, SMACS 0723) - Join the amateur JWST processing community on Discord - Always note when images are composites or enhanced - Share your work with proper attribution

Post your creations here! I'd love to see what you create.