Tools for High-precision Photometry from Wide-field Color Images

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 digital single-lens reflex (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.