The functionality in question pertains to software designed for astrophotography, specifically tailored for the macOS operating system. This class of application enables the combination of multiple astronomical images to reduce noise and enhance details of faint celestial objects. For example, users might employ it to compile several images of a nebula, resulting in a clearer, more detailed final picture than any of the individual frames could provide.
Such software plays a crucial role in overcoming limitations imposed by atmospheric turbulence, sensor noise, and light pollution, issues common in astronomical imaging. Historically, these processes were complex and computationally intensive. The evolution of specialized software has democratized astrophotography, enabling amateur astronomers to capture images of deep-sky objects with relatively modest equipment and process them efficiently.