setiastrosuitepro 1.6.2.post1__py3-none-any.whl

setiastro/saspro/legacy/numba_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,3676 @@
+#legacy.numba_utils.py
+import numpy as np
+from numba import njit, prange
+from numba.typed import List
+import cv2 
+import math
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_add_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                v = A[y,x,c] + B[y,x,c] * alpha
+                # clamp 0..1
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_subtract_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                v = A[y,x,c] - B[y,x,c] * alpha
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_multiply_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                v = (A[y,x,c] * (1-alpha)) + (A[y,x,c] * B[y,x,c] * alpha)
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_divide_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    eps = 1e-6
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                # avoid division by zero
+                b = A[y,x,c] / (B[y,x,c] + eps)
+                # clamp f(A,B)
+                if b < 0.0: b = 0.0
+                elif b > 1.0: b = 1.0
+                # mix with original
+                v = A[y,x,c] * (1.0 - alpha) + b * alpha
+                # clamp final
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_screen_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                # Screen: 1 - (1-A)*(1-B)
+                b = 1.0 - (1.0 - A[y,x,c]) * (1.0 - B[y,x,c])
+                if b < 0.0: b = 0.0
+                elif b > 1.0: b = 1.0
+                v = A[y,x,c] * (1.0 - alpha) + b * alpha
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_overlay_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                a = A[y,x,c]
+                b_in = B[y,x,c]
+                # Overlay: if a < .5: 2*a*b, else: 1 - 2*(1-a)*(1-b)
+                if a <= 0.5:
+                    b = 2.0 * a * b_in
+                else:
+                    b = 1.0 - 2.0 * (1.0 - a) * (1.0 - b_in)
+                if b < 0.0: b = 0.0
+                elif b > 1.0: b = 1.0
+                v = a * (1.0 - alpha) + b * alpha
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def blend_difference_numba(A, B, alpha):
+    H, W, C = A.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(A)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                # Difference: |A - B|
+                b = A[y,x,c] - B[y,x,c]
+                if b < 0.0: b = -b
+                # clamp f(A,B) is redundant since abs() already ≥0; we cap above 1
+                if b > 1.0: b = 1.0
+                v = A[y,x,c] * (1.0 - alpha) + b * alpha
+                if v < 0.0: v = 0.0
+                elif v > 1.0: v = 1.0
+                out[y,x,c] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rescale_image_numba(image, factor):
+    """
+    Custom rescale function using bilinear interpolation optimized with numba.
+    Supports both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        new_width = int(width * factor)
+        new_height = int(height * factor)
+        output = np.zeros((new_height, new_width), dtype=np.float32)
+        for y in prange(new_height):
+            for x in prange(new_width):
+                src_x = x / factor
+                src_y = y / factor
+                x0, y0 = int(src_x), int(src_y)
+                x1 = x0 + 1 if x0 + 1 < width else width - 1
+                y1 = y0 + 1 if y0 + 1 < height else height - 1
+                dx = src_x - x0
+                dy = src_y - y0
+                output[y, x] = (image[y0, x0] * (1 - dx) * (1 - dy) +
+                                image[y0, x1] * dx * (1 - dy) +
+                                image[y1, x0] * (1 - dx) * dy +
+                                image[y1, x1] * dx * dy)
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        new_width = int(width * factor)
+        new_height = int(height * factor)
+        output = np.zeros((new_height, new_width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+        for y in prange(new_height):
+            for x in prange(new_width):
+                src_x = x / factor
+                src_y = y / factor
+                x0, y0 = int(src_x), int(src_y)
+                x1 = x0 + 1 if x0 + 1 < width else width - 1
+                y1 = y0 + 1 if y0 + 1 < height else height - 1
+                dx = src_x - x0
+                dy = src_y - y0
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[y, x, c] = (image[y0, x0, c] * (1 - dx) * (1 - dy) +
+                                       image[y0, x1, c] * dx * (1 - dy) +
+                                       image[y1, x0, c] * (1 - dx) * dy +
+                                       image[y1, x1, c] * dx * dy)
+        return output
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def bin2x2_numba(image):
+    """
+    Downsample the image by 2×2 via simple averaging (“integer binning”).
+    Works on 2D (H×W) or 3D (H×W×C) arrays.  If dimensions aren’t even,
+    the last row/column is dropped.
+    """
+    h, w = image.shape[:2]
+    h2 = h // 2
+    w2 = w // 2
+
+    # allocate output
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        out = np.empty((h2, w2), dtype=np.float32)
+        for i in prange(h2):
+            for j in prange(w2):
+                # average 2×2 block
+                s = image[2*i  , 2*j  ] \
+                  + image[2*i+1, 2*j  ] \
+                  + image[2*i  , 2*j+1] \
+                  + image[2*i+1, 2*j+1]
+                out[i, j] = s * 0.25
+    else:
+        c = image.shape[2]
+        out = np.empty((h2, w2, c), dtype=np.float32)
+        for i in prange(h2):
+            for j in prange(w2):
+                for k in range(c):
+                    s = image[2*i  , 2*j  , k] \
+                      + image[2*i+1, 2*j  , k] \
+                      + image[2*i  , 2*j+1, k] \
+                      + image[2*i+1, 2*j+1, k]
+                    out[i, j, k] = s * 0.25
+
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def flip_horizontal_numba(image):
+    """
+    Flips an image horizontally using Numba JIT.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[y, x] = image[y, width - x - 1]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[y, x, c] = image[y, width - x - 1, c]
+        return output
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def flip_vertical_numba(image):
+    """
+    Flips an image vertically using Numba JIT.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[y, x] = image[height - y - 1, x]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[y, x, c] = image[height - y - 1, x, c]
+        return output
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rotate_90_clockwise_numba(image):
+    """
+    Rotates the image 90 degrees clockwise.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((width, height), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[x, height - 1 - y] = image[y, x]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((width, height, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[x, height - 1 - y, c] = image[y, x, c]
+        return output
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rotate_90_counterclockwise_numba(image):
+    """
+    Rotates the image 90 degrees counterclockwise.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((width, height), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[width - 1 - x, y] = image[y, x]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((width, height, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[width - 1 - x, y, c] = image[y, x, c]
+        return output
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def invert_image_numba(image):
+    """
+    Inverts an image (1 - pixel value) using Numba JIT.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[y, x] = 1.0 - image[y, x]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[y, x, c] = 1.0 - image[y, x, c]
+        return output
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rotate_180_numba(image):
+    """
+    Rotates the image 180 degrees.
+    Works with both mono (2D) and color (3D) images.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        height, width = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                output[y, x] = image[height - 1 - y, width - 1 - x]
+        return output
+    else:
+        height, width, channels = image.shape
+        output = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=image.dtype)
+        for y in prange(height):
+            for x in prange(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    output[y, x, c] = image[height - 1 - y, width - 1 - x, c]
+        return output
+
+def normalize_flat_cfa_inplace(flat2d: np.ndarray, pattern: str, *, combine_greens: bool = True) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Normalize a Bayer/mosaic flat so each CFA plane has median 1.0.
+    Operates in-place on flat2d and returns it.
+
+    pattern: 'RGGB','BGGR','GRBG','GBRG'
+    combine_greens: if True, use one median for both greens (reduces checkerboard risk)
+    """
+    pat = (pattern or "RGGB").strip().upper()
+    if pat not in ("RGGB", "BGGR", "GRBG", "GBRG"):
+        pat = "RGGB"
+
+    # map (row_parity, col_parity) -> plane key
+    # row0: even rows, row1: odd rows; col0: even cols, col1: odd cols
+    if pat == "RGGB":
+        m = {(0,0):"R",  (0,1):"G1", (1,0):"G2", (1,1):"B"}
+    elif pat == "BGGR":
+        m = {(0,0):"B",  (0,1):"G1", (1,0):"G2", (1,1):"R"}
+    elif pat == "GRBG":
+        m = {(0,0):"G1", (0,1):"R",  (1,0):"B",  (1,1):"G2"}
+    else:  # "GBRG"
+        m = {(0,0):"G1", (0,1):"B",  (1,0):"R",  (1,1):"G2"}
+
+    # build slice views
+    planes = {
+        m[(0,0)]: flat2d[0::2, 0::2],
+        m[(0,1)]: flat2d[0::2, 1::2],
+        m[(1,0)]: flat2d[1::2, 0::2],
+        m[(1,1)]: flat2d[1::2, 1::2],
+    }
+
+    def safe_median(a: np.ndarray) -> float:
+        v = a[np.isfinite(a) & (a > 0)]
+        if v.size == 0:
+            return 1.0
+        d = float(np.median(v))
+        return d if np.isfinite(d) and d > 0 else 1.0
+
+    # greens
+    if combine_greens and ("G1" in planes) and ("G2" in planes):
+        g = np.concatenate([
+            planes["G1"][np.isfinite(planes["G1"]) & (planes["G1"] > 0)].ravel(),
+            planes["G2"][np.isfinite(planes["G2"]) & (planes["G2"] > 0)].ravel(),
+        ])
+        denom_g = float(np.median(g)) if g.size else 1.0
+        if not np.isfinite(denom_g) or denom_g <= 0:
+            denom_g = 1.0
+        planes["G1"][:] = planes["G1"] / denom_g
+        planes["G2"][:] = planes["G2"] / denom_g
+    else:
+        for k in ("G1","G2"):
+            if k in planes:
+                d = safe_median(planes[k])
+                planes[k][:] = planes[k] / d
+
+    # R / B
+    for k in ("R","B"):
+        if k in planes:
+            d = safe_median(planes[k])
+            planes[k][:] = planes[k] / d
+
+    # final safety
+    np.nan_to_num(flat2d, copy=False, nan=1.0, posinf=1.0, neginf=1.0)
+    flat2d[flat2d == 0] = 1.0
+    return flat2d
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_flat_division_numba_2d(image, master_flat, master_bias=None):
+    """
+    Mono version: image.shape == (H,W)
+    """
+    if master_bias is not None:
+        master_flat = master_flat - master_bias
+        image = image - master_bias
+
+    median_flat = np.mean(master_flat)
+    height, width = image.shape
+
+    for y in prange(height):
+        for x in range(width):
+            image[y, x] /= (master_flat[y, x] / median_flat)
+
+    return image
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_flat_division_numba_3d(image, master_flat, master_bias=None):
+    """
+    Color version: image.shape == (H,W,C)
+    """
+    if master_bias is not None:
+        master_flat = master_flat - master_bias
+        image = image - master_bias
+
+    median_flat = np.mean(master_flat)
+    height, width, channels = image.shape
+
+    for y in prange(height):
+        for x in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                image[y, x, c] /= (master_flat[y, x, c] / median_flat)
+
+    return image
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _flat_div_2d(img, flat):
+    h, w = img.shape
+    for y in prange(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            f = flat[y, x]
+            if (not np.isfinite(f)) or f <= 0.0:
+                f = 1.0
+            img[y, x] = img[y, x] / f
+    return img
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _flat_div_hwc(img, flat):
+    h, w, c = img.shape
+    flat_is_2d = (flat.ndim == 2)
+    for y in prange(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            if flat_is_2d:
+                f0 = flat[y, x]
+                if (not np.isfinite(f0)) or f0 <= 0.0:
+                    f0 = 1.0
+                for k in range(c):
+                    img[y, x, k] = img[y, x, k] / f0
+            else:
+                for k in range(c):
+                    f = flat[y, x, k]
+                    if (not np.isfinite(f)) or f <= 0.0:
+                        f = 1.0
+                    img[y, x, k] = img[y, x, k] / f
+    return img
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _flat_div_chw(img, flat):
+    c, h, w = img.shape
+    flat_is_2d = (flat.ndim == 2)
+    for y in prange(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            if flat_is_2d:
+                f0 = flat[y, x]
+                if (not np.isfinite(f0)) or f0 <= 0.0:
+                    f0 = 1.0
+                for k in range(c):
+                    img[k, y, x] = img[k, y, x] / f0
+            else:
+                for k in range(c):
+                    f = flat[k, y, x]
+                    if (not np.isfinite(f)) or f <= 0.0:
+                        f = 1.0
+                    img[k, y, x] = img[k, y, x] / f
+    return img
+
+def apply_flat_division_numba(image, master_flat, master_bias=None):
+    """
+    Supports:
+      - 2D mono/bayer: (H,W)
+      - Color HWC:     (H,W,3)
+      - Color CHW:     (3,H,W)
+
+    NOTE: master_bias arg kept for API compatibility; do bias/dark subtraction outside.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        return _flat_div_2d(image, master_flat)
+
+    if image.ndim == 3:
+        # CHW common in your pipeline
+        if image.shape[0] == 3 and image.shape[-1] != 3:
+            return _flat_div_chw(image, master_flat)
+        # HWC
+        if image.shape[-1] == 3:
+            return _flat_div_hwc(image, master_flat)
+
+        # fallback: treat as HWC
+        return _flat_div_hwc(image, master_flat)
+
+    raise ValueError(f"apply_flat_division_numba: expected 2D or 3D, got shape {image.shape}")
+
+def _bayerpat_to_id(pat: str) -> int:
+    pat = (pat or "RGGB").strip().upper()
+    if pat == "RGGB": return 0
+    if pat == "BGGR": return 1
+    if pat == "GRBG": return 2
+    if pat == "GBRG": return 3
+    return 0
+
+def _bayer_plane_medians(flat2d: np.ndarray, pat: str) -> np.ndarray:
+    pat = (pat or "RGGB").strip().upper()
+    if pat == "RGGB":
+        r  = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 0::2])
+        g1 = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 1::2])
+        g2 = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 0::2])
+        b  = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 1::2])
+    elif pat == "BGGR":
+        b  = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 0::2])
+        g1 = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 1::2])
+        g2 = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 0::2])
+        r  = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 1::2])
+    elif pat == "GRBG":
+        g1 = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 0::2])
+        r  = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 1::2])
+        b  = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 0::2])
+        g2 = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 1::2])
+    else:  # GBRG
+        g1 = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 0::2])
+        b  = np.median(flat2d[0::2, 1::2])
+        r  = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 0::2])
+        g2 = np.median(flat2d[1::2, 1::2])
+
+    med4 = np.array([r, g1, g2, b], dtype=np.float32)
+    med4[~np.isfinite(med4)] = 1.0
+    med4[med4 <= 0] = 1.0
+    return med4
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_flat_division_numba_bayer_2d(image, master_flat, med4, pat_id):
+    """
+    Bayer-aware mono division. image/master_flat are (H,W).
+    med4 is [R,G1,G2,B] for that master_flat, pat_id in {0..3}.
+    """
+    H, W = image.shape
+    for y in prange(H):
+        y1 = y & 1
+        for x in range(W):
+            x1 = x & 1
+
+            # map parity->plane index
+            if pat_id == 0:      # RGGB: (0,0)R (0,1)G1 (1,0)G2 (1,1)B
+                pi = 0 if (y1==0 and x1==0) else 1 if (y1==0 and x1==1) else 2 if (y1==1 and x1==0) else 3
+            elif pat_id == 1:    # BGGR
+                pi = 3 if (y1==1 and x1==1) else 1 if (y1==0 and x1==1) else 2 if (y1==1 and x1==0) else 0
+            elif pat_id == 2:    # GRBG
+                pi = 1 if (y1==0 and x1==0) else 0 if (y1==0 and x1==1) else 3 if (y1==1 and x1==0) else 2
+            else:                # GBRG
+                pi = 1 if (y1==0 and x1==0) else 3 if (y1==0 and x1==1) else 0 if (y1==1 and x1==0) else 2
+
+            denom = master_flat[y, x] / med4[pi]
+            if denom == 0.0 or not np.isfinite(denom):
+                denom = 1.0
+            image[y, x] /= denom
+    return image
+
+def apply_flat_division_bayer(image2d: np.ndarray, flat2d: np.ndarray, bayerpat: str):
+    med4 = _bayer_plane_medians(flat2d, bayerpat)
+    pid = _bayerpat_to_id(bayerpat)
+    return apply_flat_division_numba_bayer_2d(image2d, flat2d, med4, pid)
+
+@njit(parallel=True)
+def subtract_dark_3d(frames, dark_frame):
+    """
+    For mono stack:
+      frames.shape == (F,H,W)
+      dark_frame.shape == (H,W)
+    Returns the same shape (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = frames.shape
+    result = np.empty_like(frames, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        # Subtract the dark frame from each 2D slice
+        result[i] = frames[i] - dark_frame
+
+    return result
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True)
+def subtract_dark_4d(frames, dark_frame):
+    """
+    For color stack:
+      frames.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+      dark_frame.shape == (H,W,C)
+    Returns the same shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = frames.shape
+    result = np.empty_like(frames, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        for y in range(height):
+            for x in range(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    result[i, y, x, c] = frames[i, y, x, c] - dark_frame[y, x, c]
+
+    return result
+
+def subtract_dark(frames, dark_frame):
+    """
+    Dispatcher function that calls the correct Numba function
+    depending on whether 'frames' is 3D or 4D.
+    """
+    if frames.ndim == 3:
+        # frames: (F,H,W), dark_frame: (H,W)
+        return subtract_dark_3d(frames, dark_frame)
+    elif frames.ndim == 4:
+        # frames: (F,H,W,C), dark_frame: (H,W,C)
+        return subtract_dark_4d(frames, dark_frame)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"subtract_dark: frames must be 3D or 4D, got {frames.shape}")
+
+
+import numpy as np
+from numba import njit, prange
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Windsorized Sigma Clipping (Weighted, Iterative)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_3d_iter(stack, weights, lower=2.5, upper=2.5, iterations=2):
+    """
+    Iterative Weighted Windsorized Sigma Clipping for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+      weights.shape can be (F,) or (F,H,W).
+    Returns a tuple:
+      (clipped, rejection_mask)
+    where:
+      clipped is a 2D image (H,W),
+      rejection_mask is a boolean array of shape (F,H,W) with True indicating rejection.
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.zeros((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+
+    # Check weights shape
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 3 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_3d_iter: mismatch in shapes for 3D stack & weights")
+
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            pixel_values = stack[:, i, j]  # shape=(F,)
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                pixel_weights = weights[:]  # shape (F,)
+            else:
+                pixel_weights = weights[:, i, j]
+            # Start with nonzero pixels as valid
+            valid_mask = pixel_values != 0
+            for _ in range(iterations):
+                if np.sum(valid_mask) == 0:
+                    break
+                valid_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+                median_val = np.median(valid_vals)
+                std_dev = np.std(valid_vals)
+                lower_bound = median_val - lower * std_dev
+                upper_bound = median_val + upper * std_dev
+                valid_mask = valid_mask & (pixel_values >= lower_bound) & (pixel_values <= upper_bound)
+            # Record rejections: a pixel is rejected if not valid.
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                rej_mask[f, i, j] = not valid_mask[f]
+            valid_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+            valid_w = pixel_weights[valid_mask]
+            wsum = np.sum(valid_w)
+            if wsum > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.sum(valid_vals * valid_w) / wsum
+            else:
+                nonzero = pixel_values[pixel_values != 0]
+                if nonzero.size > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j] = np.median(nonzero)
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j] = 0.0
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_4d_iter(stack, weights, lower=2.5, upper=2.5, iterations=2):
+    """
+    Iterative Weighted Windsorized Sigma Clipping for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+      weights.shape can be (F,) or (F,H,W,C).
+    Returns a tuple:
+      (clipped, rejection_mask)
+    where:
+      clipped is a 3D image (H,W,C),
+      rejection_mask is a boolean array of shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.zeros((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+
+    # Check weights shape
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 4 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_4d_iter: mismatch in shapes for 4D stack & weights")
+
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                pixel_values = stack[:, i, j, c]  # shape=(F,)
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    pixel_weights = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    pixel_weights = weights[:, i, j, c]
+                valid_mask = pixel_values != 0
+                for _ in range(iterations):
+                    if np.sum(valid_mask) == 0:
+                        break
+                    valid_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+                    median_val = np.median(valid_vals)
+                    std_dev = np.std(valid_vals)
+                    lower_bound = median_val - lower * std_dev
+                    upper_bound = median_val + upper * std_dev
+                    valid_mask = valid_mask & (pixel_values >= lower_bound) & (pixel_values <= upper_bound)
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = not valid_mask[f]
+                valid_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+                valid_w = pixel_weights[valid_mask]
+                wsum = np.sum(valid_w)
+                if wsum > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.sum(valid_vals * valid_w) / wsum
+                else:
+                    nonzero = pixel_values[pixel_values != 0]
+                    if nonzero.size > 0:
+                        clipped[i, j, c] = np.median(nonzero)
+                    else:
+                        clipped[i, j, c] = 0.0
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted(stack, weights, lower=2.5, upper=2.5, iterations=2):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that calls the appropriate iterative Numba function.
+    Now returns (clipped, rejection_mask).
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_3d_iter(stack, weights, lower, upper, iterations)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted_4d_iter(stack, weights, lower, upper, iterations)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"windsorized_sigma_clip_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Kappa-Sigma Clipping (Weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def kappa_sigma_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, kappa=2.5, iterations=3):
+    """
+    Kappa-Sigma Clipping for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns a tuple: (clipped, rejection_mask)
+    where rejection_mask is of shape (F,H,W) indicating per-frame rejections.
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            pixel_values = stack[:, i, j].copy()
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                pixel_weights = weights[:]
+            else:
+                pixel_weights = weights[:, i, j].copy()
+                
+            valid_mask = pixel_values != 0
+            
+            med = 0.0
+            for _ in range(iterations):
+                count = 0
+                for k in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid_mask[k]:
+                        count += 1
+                
+                if count == 0:
+                    break
+                    
+                current_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+                
+                med = np.median(current_vals)
+                std = np.std(current_vals)
+                lower_bound = med - kappa * std
+                upper_bound = med + kappa * std
+                
+                for k in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid_mask[k]:
+                        val = pixel_values[k]
+                        if val < lower_bound or val > upper_bound:
+                            valid_mask[k] = False
+
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                rej_mask[f, i, j] = not valid_mask[f]
+                
+            wsum = 0.0
+            vsum = 0.0
+            for k in range(num_frames):
+                if valid_mask[k]:
+                    w = pixel_weights[k]
+                    v = pixel_values[k]
+                    wsum += w
+                    vsum += v * w
+            
+            if wsum > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = vsum / wsum
+            else:
+                clipped[i, j] = med
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def kappa_sigma_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, kappa=2.5, iterations=3):
+    """
+    Kappa-Sigma Clipping for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                pixel_values = stack[:, i, j, c].copy()
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    pixel_weights = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    pixel_weights = weights[:, i, j, c].copy()
+                
+                valid_mask = pixel_values != 0
+                
+                med = 0.0
+                for _ in range(iterations):
+                    count = 0
+                    for k in range(num_frames):
+                        if valid_mask[k]:
+                            count += 1
+                            
+                    if count == 0:
+                        break
+                        
+                    current_vals = pixel_values[valid_mask]
+                    
+                    med = np.median(current_vals)
+                    std = np.std(current_vals)
+                    lower_bound = med - kappa * std
+                    upper_bound = med + kappa * std
+                    
+                    for k in range(num_frames):
+                        if valid_mask[k]:
+                            val = pixel_values[k]
+                            if val < lower_bound or val > upper_bound:
+                                valid_mask[k] = False
+
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = not valid_mask[f]
+                
+                wsum = 0.0
+                vsum = 0.0
+                for k in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid_mask[k]:
+                        w = pixel_weights[k]
+                        v = pixel_values[k]
+                        wsum += w
+                        vsum += v * w
+                
+                if wsum > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = vsum / wsum
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = med
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def kappa_sigma_clip_weighted(stack, weights, kappa=2.5, iterations=3):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for kappa-sigma clipping.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return kappa_sigma_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, kappa, iterations)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return kappa_sigma_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, kappa, iterations)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"kappa_sigma_clip_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Trimmed Mean (Weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def trimmed_mean_weighted_3d(stack, weights, trim_fraction=0.1):
+    """
+    Trimmed Mean for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask (F,H,W) flags frames that were trimmed.
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            pix_all = stack[:, i, j]
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                w_all = weights[:]
+            else:
+                w_all = weights[:, i, j]
+            # Exclude zeros and record original indices.
+            valid = pix_all != 0
+            pix = pix_all[valid]
+            w = w_all[valid]
+            orig_idx = np.empty(pix_all.shape[0], dtype=np.int64)
+            count = 0
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                if valid[f]:
+                    orig_idx[count] = f
+                    count += 1
+            n = pix.size
+            if n == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = 0.0
+                # Mark all as rejected.
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if not valid[f]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                continue
+            trim = int(trim_fraction * n)
+            order = np.argsort(pix)
+            # Determine which indices (in the valid list) are kept.
+            if n > 2 * trim:
+                keep_order = order[trim:n - trim]
+            else:
+                keep_order = order
+            # Build a mask for the valid pixels (length n) that are kept.
+            keep_mask = np.zeros(n, dtype=np.bool_)
+            for k in range(keep_order.size):
+                keep_mask[keep_order[k]] = True
+            # Map back to original frame indices.
+            for idx in range(n):
+                frame = orig_idx[idx]
+                if not keep_mask[idx]:
+                    rej_mask[frame, i, j] = True
+                else:
+                    rej_mask[frame, i, j] = False
+            # Compute weighted average of kept values.
+            sorted_pix = pix[order]
+            sorted_w = w[order]
+            if n > 2 * trim:
+                trimmed_values = sorted_pix[trim:n - trim]
+                trimmed_weights = sorted_w[trim:n - trim]
+            else:
+                trimmed_values = sorted_pix
+                trimmed_weights = sorted_w
+            wsum = trimmed_weights.sum()
+            if wsum > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.sum(trimmed_values * trimmed_weights) / wsum
+            else:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.median(trimmed_values)
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def trimmed_mean_weighted_4d(stack, weights, trim_fraction=0.1):
+    """
+    Trimmed Mean for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                pix_all = stack[:, i, j, c]
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    w_all = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    w_all = weights[:, i, j, c]
+                valid = pix_all != 0
+                pix = pix_all[valid]
+                w = w_all[valid]
+                orig_idx = np.empty(pix_all.shape[0], dtype=np.int64)
+                count = 0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid[f]:
+                        orig_idx[count] = f
+                        count += 1
+                n = pix.size
+                if n == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = 0.0
+                    for f in range(num_frames):
+                        if not valid[f]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                    continue
+                trim = int(trim_fraction * n)
+                order = np.argsort(pix)
+                if n > 2 * trim:
+                    keep_order = order[trim:n - trim]
+                else:
+                    keep_order = order
+                keep_mask = np.zeros(n, dtype=np.bool_)
+                for k in range(keep_order.size):
+                    keep_mask[keep_order[k]] = True
+                for idx in range(n):
+                    frame = orig_idx[idx]
+                    if not keep_mask[idx]:
+                        rej_mask[frame, i, j, c] = True
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[frame, i, j, c] = False
+                sorted_pix = pix[order]
+                sorted_w = w[order]
+                if n > 2 * trim:
+                    trimmed_values = sorted_pix[trim:n - trim]
+                    trimmed_weights = sorted_w[trim:n - trim]
+                else:
+                    trimmed_values = sorted_pix
+                    trimmed_weights = sorted_w
+                wsum = trimmed_weights.sum()
+                if wsum > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.sum(trimmed_values * trimmed_weights) / wsum
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.median(trimmed_values)
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def trimmed_mean_weighted(stack, weights, trim_fraction=0.1):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for trimmed mean.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return trimmed_mean_weighted_3d(stack, weights, trim_fraction)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return trimmed_mean_weighted_4d(stack, weights, trim_fraction)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"trimmed_mean_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Extreme Studentized Deviate (ESD) Clipping (Weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def esd_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, threshold=3.0):
+    """
+    ESD Clipping for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 3 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("esd_clip_weighted_3d: mismatch in shapes for 3D stack & weights")
+
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            pix = stack[:, i, j]
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                w = weights[:]
+            else:
+                w = weights[:, i, j]
+            valid = pix != 0
+            values = pix[valid]
+            wvals = w[valid]
+            if values.size == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = 0.0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if not valid[f]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                continue
+            mean_val = np.mean(values)
+            std_val = np.std(values)
+            if std_val == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = mean_val
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = False
+                continue
+            z_scores = np.abs((values - mean_val) / std_val)
+            valid2 = z_scores < threshold
+            # Mark rejected: for the valid entries, use valid2.
+            idx = 0
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                if valid[f]:
+                    if not valid2[idx]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = False
+                    idx += 1
+                else:
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+            values = values[valid2]
+            wvals = wvals[valid2]
+            wsum = wvals.sum()
+            if wsum > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.sum(values * wvals) / wsum
+            else:
+                clipped[i, j] = mean_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def esd_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, threshold=3.0):
+    """
+    ESD Clipping for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 4 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("esd_clip_weighted_4d: mismatch in shapes for 4D stack & weights")
+
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                pix = stack[:, i, j, c]
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    w = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    w = weights[:, i, j, c]
+                valid = pix != 0
+                values = pix[valid]
+                wvals = w[valid]
+                if values.size == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = 0.0
+                    for f in range(num_frames):
+                        if not valid[f]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                    continue
+                mean_val = np.mean(values)
+                std_val = np.std(values)
+                if std_val == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = mean_val
+                    for f in range(num_frames):
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = False
+                    continue
+                z_scores = np.abs((values - mean_val) / std_val)
+                valid2 = z_scores < threshold
+                idx = 0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid[f]:
+                        if not valid2[idx]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                        else:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = False
+                        idx += 1
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                values = values[valid2]
+                wvals = wvals[valid2]
+                wsum = wvals.sum()
+                if wsum > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.sum(values * wvals) / wsum
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = mean_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def esd_clip_weighted(stack, weights, threshold=3.0):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for ESD clipping.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return esd_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, threshold)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return esd_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, threshold)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"esd_clip_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Biweight Location (Weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def biweight_location_weighted_3d(stack, weights, tuning_constant=6.0):
+    """
+    Biweight Location for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 3 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("biweight_location_weighted_3d: mismatch in shapes for 3D stack & weights")
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            x = stack[:, i, j]
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                w = weights[:]
+            else:
+                w = weights[:, i, j]
+            valid = x != 0
+            x_valid = x[valid]
+            w_valid = w[valid]
+            # Record rejections for zeros:
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                if not valid[f]:
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                else:
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = False  # initialize as accepted; may update below
+            n = x_valid.size
+            if n == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = 0.0
+                continue
+            M = np.median(x_valid)
+            mad = np.median(np.abs(x_valid - M))
+            if mad == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = M
+                continue
+            u = (x_valid - M) / (tuning_constant * mad)
+            mask = np.abs(u) < 1
+            # Mark frames that were excluded by the biweight rejection:
+            idx = 0
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                if valid[f]:
+                    if not mask[idx]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                    idx += 1
+            x_masked = x_valid[mask]
+            w_masked = w_valid[mask]
+            numerator = ((x_masked - M) * (1 - u[mask]**2)**2 * w_masked).sum()
+            denominator = ((1 - u[mask]**2)**2 * w_masked).sum()
+            if denominator != 0:
+                biweight = M + numerator / denominator
+            else:
+                biweight = M
+            clipped[i, j] = biweight
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def biweight_location_weighted_4d(stack, weights, tuning_constant=6.0):
+    """
+    Biweight Location for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask has shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 4 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("biweight_location_weighted_4d: mismatch in shapes for 4D stack & weights")
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                x = stack[:, i, j, c]
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    w = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    w = weights[:, i, j, c]
+                valid = x != 0
+                x_valid = x[valid]
+                w_valid = w[valid]
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if not valid[f]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = False
+                n = x_valid.size
+                if n == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = 0.0
+                    continue
+                M = np.median(x_valid)
+                mad = np.median(np.abs(x_valid - M))
+                if mad == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = M
+                    continue
+                u = (x_valid - M) / (tuning_constant * mad)
+                mask = np.abs(u) < 1
+                idx = 0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid[f]:
+                        if not mask[idx]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                        idx += 1
+                x_masked = x_valid[mask]
+                w_masked = w_valid[mask]
+                numerator = ((x_masked - M) * (1 - u[mask]**2)**2 * w_masked).sum()
+                denominator = ((1 - u[mask]**2)**2 * w_masked).sum()
+                if denominator != 0:
+                    biweight = M + numerator / denominator
+                else:
+                    biweight = M
+                clipped[i, j, c] = biweight
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def biweight_location_weighted(stack, weights, tuning_constant=6.0):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for biweight location.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return biweight_location_weighted_3d(stack, weights, tuning_constant)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return biweight_location_weighted_4d(stack, weights, tuning_constant)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"biweight_location_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Modified Z-Score Clipping (Weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def modified_zscore_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, threshold=3.5):
+    """
+    Modified Z-Score Clipping for a 3D mono stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) with rejection_mask shape (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 3 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("modified_zscore_clip_weighted_3d: mismatch in shapes for 3D stack & weights")
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            x = stack[:, i, j]
+            if weights.ndim == 1:
+                w = weights[:]
+            else:
+                w = weights[:, i, j]
+            valid = x != 0
+            x_valid = x[valid]
+            w_valid = w[valid]
+            if x_valid.size == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = 0.0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if not valid[f]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                continue
+            median_val = np.median(x_valid)
+            mad = np.median(np.abs(x_valid - median_val))
+            if mad == 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = median_val
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = False
+                continue
+            modified_z = 0.6745 * (x_valid - median_val) / mad
+            valid2 = np.abs(modified_z) < threshold
+            idx = 0
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                if valid[f]:
+                    if not valid2[idx]:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j] = False
+                    idx += 1
+                else:
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j] = True
+            x_final = x_valid[valid2]
+            w_final = w_valid[valid2]
+            wsum = w_final.sum()
+            if wsum > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.sum(x_final * w_final) / wsum
+            else:
+                clipped[i, j] = median_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def modified_zscore_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, threshold=3.5):
+    """
+    Modified Z-Score Clipping for a 4D color stack.
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) with rejection_mask shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.empty((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    if weights.ndim == 1 and weights.shape[0] == num_frames:
+        pass
+    elif weights.ndim == 4 and weights.shape == stack.shape:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("modified_zscore_clip_weighted_4d: mismatch in shapes for 4D stack & weights")
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                x = stack[:, i, j, c]
+                if weights.ndim == 1:
+                    w = weights[:]
+                else:
+                    w = weights[:, i, j, c]
+                valid = x != 0
+                x_valid = x[valid]
+                w_valid = w[valid]
+                if x_valid.size == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = 0.0
+                    for f in range(num_frames):
+                        if not valid[f]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                    continue
+                median_val = np.median(x_valid)
+                mad = np.median(np.abs(x_valid - median_val))
+                if mad == 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = median_val
+                    for f in range(num_frames):
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = False
+                    continue
+                modified_z = 0.6745 * (x_valid - median_val) / mad
+                valid2 = np.abs(modified_z) < threshold
+                idx = 0
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    if valid[f]:
+                        if not valid2[idx]:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                        else:
+                            rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = False
+                        idx += 1
+                    else:
+                        rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = True
+                x_final = x_valid[valid2]
+                w_final = w_valid[valid2]
+                wsum = w_final.sum()
+                if wsum > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.sum(x_final * w_final) / wsum
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = median_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def modified_zscore_clip_weighted(stack, weights, threshold=3.5):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for modified z-score clipping.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return modified_zscore_clip_weighted_3d(stack, weights, threshold)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return modified_zscore_clip_weighted_4d(stack, weights, threshold)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"modified_zscore_clip_weighted: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+
+# -------------------------------
+# Windsorized Sigma Clipping (Non-weighted)
+# -------------------------------
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def windsorized_sigma_clip_3d(stack, lower=2.5, upper=2.5):
+    """
+    Windsorized Sigma Clipping for a 3D mono stack (non-weighted).
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask is (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.zeros((height, width), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            pixel_values = stack[:, i, j]
+            median_val = np.median(pixel_values)
+            std_dev = np.std(pixel_values)
+            lower_bound = median_val - lower * std_dev
+            upper_bound = median_val + upper * std_dev
+            valid = (pixel_values >= lower_bound) & (pixel_values <= upper_bound)
+            for f in range(num_frames):
+                rej_mask[f, i, j] = not valid[f]
+            valid_vals = pixel_values[valid]
+            if valid_vals.size > 0:
+                clipped[i, j] = np.mean(valid_vals)
+            else:
+                clipped[i, j] = median_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def windsorized_sigma_clip_4d(stack, lower=2.5, upper=2.5):
+    """
+    Windsorized Sigma Clipping for a 4D color stack (non-weighted).
+      stack.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) where rejection_mask is (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    clipped = np.zeros((height, width, channels), dtype=np.float32)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros((num_frames, height, width, channels), dtype=np.bool_)
+    
+    for i in prange(height):
+        for j in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                pixel_values = stack[:, i, j, c]
+                median_val = np.median(pixel_values)
+                std_dev = np.std(pixel_values)
+                lower_bound = median_val - lower * std_dev
+                upper_bound = median_val + upper * std_dev
+                valid = (pixel_values >= lower_bound) & (pixel_values <= upper_bound)
+                for f in range(num_frames):
+                    rej_mask[f, i, j, c] = not valid[f]
+                valid_vals = pixel_values[valid]
+                if valid_vals.size > 0:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = np.mean(valid_vals)
+                else:
+                    clipped[i, j, c] = median_val
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+
+def windsorized_sigma_clip(stack, lower=2.5, upper=2.5):
+    """
+    Dispatcher function that calls either the 3D or 4D specialized Numba function,
+    depending on 'stack.ndim'.
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return windsorized_sigma_clip_3d(stack, lower, upper)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return windsorized_sigma_clip_4d(stack, lower, upper)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"windsorized_sigma_clip: stack must be 3D or 4D, got {stack.shape}")
+
+def max_value_stack(stack, weights=None):
+    """
+    Stacking by taking the maximum value along the frame axis.
+    Returns (clipped, rejection_mask) for compatibility:
+      - clipped: H×W (or H×W×C)
+      - rejection_mask: same shape as stack, all False
+    """
+    clipped = np.max(stack, axis=0)
+    rej_mask = np.zeros(stack.shape, dtype=bool)
+    return clipped, rej_mask
+
+@njit(parallel=True)
+def subtract_dark_with_pedestal_3d(frames, dark_frame, pedestal):
+    """
+    For mono stack:
+      frames.shape == (F,H,W)
+      dark_frame.shape == (H,W)
+    Adds 'pedestal' after subtracting dark_frame from each frame.
+    Returns the same shape (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = frames.shape
+    result = np.empty_like(frames, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    # Validate dark_frame shape
+    if dark_frame.ndim != 2 or dark_frame.shape != (height, width):
+        raise ValueError(
+            "subtract_dark_with_pedestal_3d: for 3D frames, dark_frame must be 2D (H,W)"
+        )
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        for y in range(height):
+            for x in range(width):
+                result[i, y, x] = frames[i, y, x] - dark_frame[y, x] + pedestal
+
+    return result
+
+@njit(parallel=True)
+def subtract_dark_with_pedestal_4d(frames, dark_frame, pedestal):
+    """
+    For color stack:
+      frames.shape == (F,H,W,C)
+      dark_frame.shape == (H,W,C)
+    Adds 'pedestal' after subtracting dark_frame from each frame.
+    Returns the same shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = frames.shape
+    result = np.empty_like(frames, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    # Validate dark_frame shape
+    if dark_frame.ndim != 3 or dark_frame.shape != (height, width, channels):
+        raise ValueError(
+            "subtract_dark_with_pedestal_4d: for 4D frames, dark_frame must be 3D (H,W,C)"
+        )
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        for y in range(height):
+            for x in range(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    result[i, y, x, c] = frames[i, y, x, c] - dark_frame[y, x, c] + pedestal
+
+    return result
+
+def subtract_dark_with_pedestal(frames, dark_frame, pedestal):
+    """
+    Dispatcher function that calls either the 3D or 4D specialized Numba function
+    depending on 'frames.ndim'.
+    """
+    if frames.ndim == 3:
+        return subtract_dark_with_pedestal_3d(frames, dark_frame, pedestal)
+    elif frames.ndim == 4:
+        return subtract_dark_with_pedestal_4d(frames, dark_frame, pedestal)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"subtract_dark_with_pedestal: frames must be 3D or 4D, got {frames.shape}"
+        )
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True, cache=True)
+def _parallel_measure_frames_stack(stack):  # stack: float32[N,H,W] or float32[N,H,W,C]
+    n = stack.shape[0]
+    means = np.empty(n, np.float32)
+    for i in prange(n):
+        # Option A: mean then cast
+        # m = np.mean(stack[i])
+        # means[i] = np.float32(m)
+
+        # Option B (often a hair faster): sum / size then cast
+        s = np.sum(stack[i])          # no kwargs
+        means[i] = np.float32(s / stack[i].size)
+    return means
+
+def parallel_measure_frames(images_py):
+    a = [np.ascontiguousarray(x, dtype=np.float32) for x in images_py]
+    a = [x[:, :, None] if x.ndim == 2 else x for x in a]
+    stack = np.ascontiguousarray(np.stack(a, axis=0))  # (N,H,W,C)
+    return _parallel_measure_frames_stack(stack)
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def fast_mad(image):
+    """ Computes the Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) as a robust noise estimator. """
+    flat_image = image.ravel()  # ✅ Flatten the 2D array into 1D
+    median_val = np.median(flat_image)  # Compute median
+    mad = np.median(np.abs(flat_image - median_val))  # Compute MAD
+    return mad * 1.4826  # ✅ Scale MAD to match standard deviation (for Gaussian noise)
+
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def compute_snr(image):
+    """ Computes the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) using fast Numba std. """
+    mean_signal = np.mean(image)
+    noise = compute_noise(image)
+    return mean_signal / noise if noise > 0 else 0
+
+
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def compute_noise(image):
+    """ Estimates noise using Median Absolute Deviation (MAD). """
+    return fast_mad(image)
+
+def _downsample_for_stars(img: np.ndarray, factor: int = 4) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Very cheap spatial downsample for star counting.
+    Works on mono or RGB. Returns float32 2D.
+    """
+    if img.ndim == 3 and img.shape[-1] == 3:
+        # luma first
+        r, g, b = img[..., 0], img[..., 1], img[..., 2]
+        img = 0.2126*r + 0.7152*g + 0.0722*b
+    img = np.asarray(img, dtype=np.float32, order="C")
+    if factor <= 1:
+        return img
+    # stride (fast & cache friendly), not interpolation
+    return img[::factor, ::factor]
+
+
+def fast_star_count_lite(img: np.ndarray,
+                         sample_stride: int = 8,
+                         localmax_k: int = 3,
+                         thr_sigma: float = 4.0,
+                         max_ecc_samples: int = 200) -> tuple[int, float]:
+    """
+    Super-fast star counter:
+      • sample a tiny subset to estimate background mean/std
+      • local-maxima on small image
+      • optional rough eccentricity on a small random subset
+    Returns (count, avg_ecc).
+    """
+    # img is 2D float32, already downsampled
+    H, W = img.shape
+    # 1) quick background stats on a sparse grid
+    samp = img[::sample_stride, ::sample_stride]
+    mu = float(np.mean(samp))
+    sigma = float(np.std(samp))
+    thr = mu + thr_sigma * max(sigma, 1e-6)
+
+    # 2) find local maxima above threshold
+    # small structuring element; k must be odd
+    k = localmax_k if (localmax_k % 2 == 1) else (localmax_k + 1)
+    se = np.ones((k, k), np.uint8)
+    # dilate the image (on float -> do it via cv2.dilate after scaling)
+    # scale to 16-bit to keep numeric fidelity (cheap)
+    scaled = (img * (65535.0 / max(np.max(img), 1e-6))).astype(np.uint16)
+    dil = cv2.dilate(scaled, se)
+    # peaks are pixels that equal the local max and exceed thr
+    peaks = (scaled == dil) & (img > thr)
+    count = int(np.count_nonzero(peaks))
+
+    # 3) (optional) rough eccentricity on a tiny subset
+    if count == 0:
+        return 0, 0.0
+    if max_ecc_samples <= 0:
+        return count, 0.0
+
+    ys, xs = np.where(peaks)
+    if xs.size > max_ecc_samples:
+        idx = np.random.choice(xs.size, max_ecc_samples, replace=False)
+        xs, ys = xs[idx], ys[idx]
+
+    ecc_vals = []
+    # small window around each peak
+    r = 2  # 5×5 window
+    for x, y in zip(xs, ys):
+        x0, x1 = max(0, x - r), min(W, x + r + 1)
+        y0, y1 = max(0, y - r), min(H, y + r + 1)
+        patch = img[y0:y1, x0:x1]
+        if patch.size < 9:
+            continue
+        # second moments for ellipse approximation
+        yy, xx = np.mgrid[y0:y1, x0:x1]
+        yy = yy.astype(np.float32) - y
+        xx = xx.astype(np.float32) - x
+        w = patch - patch.min()
+        s = float(w.sum())
+        if s <= 0:
+            continue
+        mxx = float((w * (xx*xx)).sum() / s)
+        myy = float((w * (yy*yy)).sum() / s)
+        # approximate major/minor from variances
+        a = math.sqrt(max(mxx, myy))
+        b = math.sqrt(min(mxx, myy))
+        if a > 1e-6:
+            e = math.sqrt(max(0.0, 1.0 - (b*b)/(a*a)))
+            ecc_vals.append(e)
+    avg_ecc = float(np.mean(ecc_vals)) if ecc_vals else 0.0
+    return count, avg_ecc
+
+
+
+def compute_star_count_fast_preview(preview_2d: np.ndarray) -> tuple[int, float]:
+    """
+    Wrapper used in measurement: downsample aggressively and run the lite counter.
+    """
+    tiny = _downsample_for_stars(preview_2d, factor=4)  # try 4–8 depending on your sensor
+    return fast_star_count_lite(tiny, sample_stride=8, localmax_k=3, thr_sigma=4.0, max_ecc_samples=120)
+
+
+
+def compute_star_count(image):
+    """Fast star detection with robust pre-stretch for linear data."""
+    return fast_star_count(image)
+
+def fast_star_count(
+    image,
+    blur_size=None,           # adaptive if None
+    threshold_factor=0.8,
+    min_area=None,            # adaptive if None
+    max_area=None,            # adaptive if None
+    *,
+    gamma=0.45,               # <1 brightens faint signal; 0.35–0.55 is a good range
+    p_lo=0.1,                 # robust low percentile for stretch
+    p_hi=99.8                 # robust high percentile for stretch
+):
+    """
+    Estimate star count + avg eccentricity from a 2D float/uint8 image.
+    Now does robust percentile stretch + gamma in float BEFORE 8-bit/Otsu.
+    """
+    # 1) Ensure 2D grayscale (stay float32)
+    if image.ndim == 3:
+        # RGB -> luma
+        r, g, b = image[..., 0], image[..., 1], image[..., 2]
+        img = (0.2126 * r + 0.7152 * g + 0.0722 * b).astype(np.float32, copy=False)
+    else:
+        img = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float32, order="C")
+
+    H, W = img.shape[:2]
+    short_side = max(1, min(H, W))
+
+    # Adaptive params
+    if blur_size is None:
+        k = max(3, int(round(short_side / 80)))
+        blur_size = k if (k % 2 == 1) else (k + 1)
+    if min_area is None:
+        min_area = 1
+    if max_area is None:
+        max_area = max(100, int(0.01 * H * W))
+
+    # 2) Robust percentile stretch in float (no 8-bit yet)
+    #    This lifts the sky background and pulls faint stars up before thresholding.
+    lo = float(np.percentile(img, p_lo))
+    hi = float(np.percentile(img, p_hi))
+    if not (hi > lo):
+        lo, hi = float(img.min()), float(img.max())
+        if not (hi > lo):
+            return 0, 0.0
+
+    norm = (img - lo) / max(1e-8, (hi - lo))
+    norm = np.clip(norm, 0.0, 1.0)
+
+    # 3) Gamma (<1 brightens low end)
+    if gamma and gamma > 0:
+        norm = np.power(norm, gamma, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    # 4) Convert to 8-bit ONLY after stretch/gamma (preserves faint structure)
+    image_8u = (norm * 255.0).astype(np.uint8)
+
+    # 5) Blur + subtract (unsharp-ish)
+    blurred = cv2.GaussianBlur(image_8u, (blur_size, blur_size), 0)
+    sub = cv2.absdiff(image_8u, blurred)
+
+    # 6) Otsu + threshold_factor
+    otsu, _ = cv2.threshold(sub, 0, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY | cv2.THRESH_OTSU)
+    thr = max(2, int(otsu * threshold_factor))
+    _, mask = cv2.threshold(sub, thr, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY)
+
+    # 7) Morph open *only* on larger frames (tiny frames lose stars otherwise)
+    if short_side >= 600:
+        mask = cv2.morphologyEx(mask, cv2.MORPH_OPEN, np.ones((2, 2), np.uint8))
+
+    # 8) Contours → area filter → eccentricity
+    contours, _ = cv2.findContours(mask, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE)
+
+    star_count = 0
+    ecc_values = []
+    for c in contours:
+        area = cv2.contourArea(c)
+        if area < min_area or area > max_area:
+            continue
+        if len(c) < 5:
+            continue
+        (_, _), (a, b), _ = cv2.fitEllipse(c)
+        if b > a: a, b = b, a
+        if a > 0:
+            e = math.sqrt(max(0.0, 1.0 - (b * b) / (a * a)))
+        else:
+            e = 0.0
+        ecc_values.append(e)
+        star_count += 1
+
+    # 9) Gentle fallback if too few detections: lower threshold & smaller blur
+    if star_count < 5:
+        k2 = max(3, (blur_size // 2) | 1)
+        blurred2 = cv2.GaussianBlur(image_8u, (k2, k2), 0)
+        sub2 = cv2.absdiff(image_8u, blurred2)
+        otsu2, _ = cv2.threshold(sub2, 0, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY | cv2.THRESH_OTSU)
+        thr2 = max(2, int(otsu2 * 0.6))              # more permissive
+        _, mask2 = cv2.threshold(sub2, thr2, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY)
+        contours2, _ = cv2.findContours(mask2, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE)
+        star_count = 0
+        ecc_values = []
+        for c in contours2:
+            area = cv2.contourArea(c)
+            if area < 1 or area > max_area:
+                continue
+            if len(c) < 5:
+                continue
+            (_, _), (a, b), _ = cv2.fitEllipse(c)
+            if b > a: a, b = b, a
+            e = math.sqrt(max(0.0, 1.0 - (b * b) / (a * a))) if a > 0 else 0.0
+            ecc_values.append(e)
+            star_count += 1
+
+    avg_ecc = float(np.mean(ecc_values)) if star_count > 0 else 0.0
+    return star_count, avg_ecc
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def normalize_images_3d(stack, ref_median):
+    """
+    Normalizes each frame in a 3D mono stack (F,H,W)
+    so that its median equals ref_median.
+
+    Returns a 3D result (F,H,W).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width = stack.shape
+    normalized_stack = np.zeros_like(stack, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        # shape of one frame: (H,W)
+        img = stack[i]
+        img_median = np.median(img)
+
+        # Prevent division by zero
+        scale_factor = ref_median / max(img_median, 1e-6)
+        # Scale the entire 2D frame
+        normalized_stack[i] = img * scale_factor
+
+    return normalized_stack
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def normalize_images_4d(stack, ref_median):
+    """
+    Normalizes each frame in a 4D color stack (F,H,W,C)
+    so that its median equals ref_median.
+
+    Returns a 4D result (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    num_frames, height, width, channels = stack.shape
+    normalized_stack = np.zeros_like(stack, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for i in prange(num_frames):
+        # shape of one frame: (H,W,C)
+        img = stack[i]  # (H,W,C)
+        # Flatten to 1D to compute median across all channels/pixels
+        img_median = np.median(img.ravel())
+
+        # Prevent division by zero
+        scale_factor = ref_median / max(img_median, 1e-6)
+
+        # Scale the entire 3D frame
+        for y in range(height):
+            for x in range(width):
+                for c in range(channels):
+                    normalized_stack[i, y, x, c] = img[y, x, c] * scale_factor
+
+    return normalized_stack
+
+def normalize_images(stack, ref_median):
+    """
+    Dispatcher that calls either the 3D or 4D specialized Numba function
+    depending on 'stack.ndim'.
+
+    - If stack.ndim == 3, we assume shape (F,H,W).
+    - If stack.ndim == 4, we assume shape (F,H,W,C).
+    """
+    if stack.ndim == 3:
+        return normalize_images_3d(stack, ref_median)
+    elif stack.ndim == 4:
+        return normalize_images_4d(stack, ref_median)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"normalize_images: stack must be 3D or 4D, got shape {stack.shape}")
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _bilinear_interpolate_numba(out):
+    H, W, C = out.shape
+    for c in range(C):
+        for y in prange(H):
+            for x in range(W):
+                if out[y, x, c] == 0:
+                    sumv = 0.0
+                    cnt = 0
+                    # 3x3 neighborhood average of non-zero samples (simple & fast)
+                    for dy in (-1, 0, 1):
+                        yy = y + dy
+                        if yy < 0 or yy >= H: 
+                            continue
+                        for dx in (-1, 0, 1):
+                            xx = x + dx
+                            if xx < 0 or xx >= W:
+                                continue
+                            v = out[yy, xx, c]
+                            if v != 0:
+                                sumv += v
+                                cnt += 1
+                    if cnt > 0:
+                        out[y, x, c] = sumv / cnt
+    return out
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out):
+    """
+    For each pixel in out (shape: (H,W,3)) where out[y,x,c] == 0,
+    use a simple edge-aware approach:
+      1) Compute horizontal gradient = abs( left - right )
+      2) Compute vertical gradient   = abs( top - bottom )
+      3) Choose the direction with the smaller gradient => average neighbors
+      4) If neighbors are missing or zero, fallback to a small 3x3 average
+
+    This is simpler than AHD but usually better than naive bilinear
+    for high-contrast features like star cores.
+    """
+    H, W, C = out.shape
+
+    for c in range(C):
+        for y in prange(H):
+            for x in range(W):
+                if out[y, x, c] == 0:
+                    # Gather immediate neighbors
+                    left = 0.0
+                    right = 0.0
+                    top = 0.0
+                    bottom = 0.0
+                    have_left = False
+                    have_right = False
+                    have_top = False
+                    have_bottom = False
+
+                    # Left
+                    if x - 1 >= 0:
+                        val = out[y, x - 1, c]
+                        if val != 0:
+                            left = val
+                            have_left = True
+
+                    # Right
+                    if x + 1 < W:
+                        val = out[y, x + 1, c]
+                        if val != 0:
+                            right = val
+                            have_right = True
+
+                    # Top
+                    if y - 1 >= 0:
+                        val = out[y - 1, x, c]
+                        if val != 0:
+                            top = val
+                            have_top = True
+
+                    # Bottom
+                    if y + 1 < H:
+                        val = out[y + 1, x, c]
+                        if val != 0:
+                            bottom = val
+                            have_bottom = True
+
+                    # Compute gradients
+                    # If we don't have valid neighbors for that direction,
+                    # set the gradient to a large number => won't be chosen
+                    gh = 1e6
+                    gv = 1e6
+
+                    if have_left and have_right:
+                        gh = abs(left - right)
+                    if have_top and have_bottom:
+                        gv = abs(top - bottom)
+
+                    # Decide which direction to interpolate
+                    if gh < gv and have_left and have_right:
+                        # Horizontal interpolation
+                        out[y, x, c] = 0.5 * (left + right)
+                    elif gv <= gh and have_top and have_bottom:
+                        # Vertical interpolation
+                        out[y, x, c] = 0.5 * (top + bottom)
+                    else:
+                        # Fallback: average 3×3 region
+                        sumv = 0.0
+                        count = 0
+                        for dy in range(-1, 2):
+                            for dx in range(-1, 2):
+                                yy = y + dy
+                                xx = x + dx
+                                if 0 <= yy < H and 0 <= xx < W:
+                                    val = out[yy, xx, c]
+                                    if val != 0:
+                                        sumv += val
+                                        count += 1
+                        if count > 0:
+                            out[y, x, c] = sumv / count
+
+    return out
+# === Separate Full-Resolution Demosaicing Kernels ===
+# These njit functions assume the raw image is arranged in a Bayer pattern
+# and that we want a full (H,W,3) output.
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def debayer_RGGB_fullres_fast(image, interpolate=True):
+    H, W = image.shape
+    out = np.zeros((H, W, 3), dtype=image.dtype)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            if (y & 1) == 0:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 0] = image[y, x]  # R
+                else:            out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+            else:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+                else:            out[y, x, 2] = image[y, x]  # B
+    if interpolate:
+        _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def debayer_BGGR_fullres_fast(image, interpolate=True):
+    H, W = image.shape
+    out = np.zeros((H, W, 3), dtype=image.dtype)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            if (y & 1) == 0:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 2] = image[y, x]  # B
+                else:            out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+            else:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+                else:            out[y, x, 0] = image[y, x]  # R
+    if interpolate:
+        _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def debayer_GRBG_fullres_fast(image, interpolate=True):
+    H, W = image.shape
+    out = np.zeros((H, W, 3), dtype=image.dtype)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            if (y & 1) == 0:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+                else:            out[y, x, 0] = image[y, x]  # R
+            else:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 2] = image[y, x]  # B
+                else:            out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+    if interpolate:
+        _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def debayer_GBRG_fullres_fast(image, interpolate=True):
+    H, W = image.shape
+    out = np.zeros((H, W, 3), dtype=image.dtype)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            if (y & 1) == 0:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+                else:            out[y, x, 2] = image[y, x]  # B
+            else:
+                if (x & 1) == 0: out[y, x, 0] = image[y, x]  # R
+                else:            out[y, x, 1] = image[y, x]  # G
+    if interpolate:
+        _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+    return out
+
+# === Python-Level Dispatch Function ===
+# Since Numba cannot easily compare strings in nopython mode,
+# we do the if/elif check here in Python and then call the appropriate njit function.
+
+def debayer_fits_fast(image_data, bayer_pattern, cfa_drizzle=False, method="edge"):
+    bp = (bayer_pattern or "").upper()
+    interpolate = not cfa_drizzle
+
+    # 1) lay down the known samples per CFA
+    if bp == 'RGGB':
+        out = debayer_RGGB_fullres_fast(image_data, interpolate=False)
+    elif bp == 'BGGR':
+        out = debayer_BGGR_fullres_fast(image_data, interpolate=False)
+    elif bp == 'GRBG':
+        out = debayer_GRBG_fullres_fast(image_data, interpolate=False)
+    elif bp == 'GBRG':
+        out = debayer_GBRG_fullres_fast(image_data, interpolate=False)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported Bayer pattern: {bayer_pattern}")
+
+    # 2) perform interpolation unless doing CFA-drizzle
+    if interpolate:
+        m = (method or "edge").lower()
+        if m == "edge":
+            _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+        elif m == "bilinear":
+            _bilinear_interpolate_numba(out)
+        else:
+            # fallback to edge-aware if unknown
+            _edge_aware_interpolate_numba(out)
+
+    return out
+
+def debayer_raw_fast(raw_image_data, bayer_pattern="RGGB", cfa_drizzle=False, method="edge"):
+    return debayer_fits_fast(raw_image_data, bayer_pattern, cfa_drizzle=cfa_drizzle, method=method)
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def applyPixelMath_numba(image_array, amount):
+    factor = 3 ** amount
+    denom_factor = 3 ** amount - 1
+    height, width, channels = image_array.shape
+    output = np.empty_like(image_array, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for y in prange(height):
+        for x in prange(width):
+            for c in prange(channels):
+                val = (factor * image_array[y, x, c]) / (denom_factor * image_array[y, x, c] + 1)
+                output[y, x, c] = min(max(val, 0.0), 1.0)  # Equivalent to np.clip()
+    
+    return output
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def adjust_saturation_numba(image_array, saturation_factor):
+    height, width, channels = image_array.shape
+    output = np.empty_like(image_array, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for y in prange(int(height)):  # Ensure y is an integer
+        for x in prange(int(width)):  # Ensure x is an integer
+            r, g, b = image_array[int(y), int(x)]  # Force integer indexing
+
+            # Convert RGB to HSV manually
+            max_val = max(r, g, b)
+            min_val = min(r, g, b)
+            delta = max_val - min_val
+
+            # Compute Hue (H)
+            if delta == 0:
+                h = 0
+            elif max_val == r:
+                h = (60 * ((g - b) / delta) + 360) % 360
+            elif max_val == g:
+                h = (60 * ((b - r) / delta) + 120) % 360
+            else:
+                h = (60 * ((r - g) / delta) + 240) % 360
+
+            # Compute Saturation (S)
+            s = (delta / max_val) if max_val != 0 else 0
+            s *= saturation_factor  # Apply saturation adjustment
+            s = min(max(s, 0.0), 1.0)  # Clip saturation
+
+            # Convert back to RGB
+            if s == 0:
+                r, g, b = max_val, max_val, max_val
+            else:
+                c = s * max_val
+                x_val = c * (1 - abs((h / 60) % 2 - 1))
+                m = max_val - c
+
+                if 0 <= h < 60:
+                    r, g, b = c, x_val, 0
+                elif 60 <= h < 120:
+                    r, g, b = x_val, c, 0
+                elif 120 <= h < 180:
+                    r, g, b = 0, c, x_val
+                elif 180 <= h < 240:
+                    r, g, b = 0, x_val, c
+                elif 240 <= h < 300:
+                    r, g, b = x_val, 0, c
+                else:
+                    r, g, b = c, 0, x_val
+
+                r, g, b = r + m, g + m, b + m  # Add m to shift brightness
+
+            # ✅ Fix: Explicitly cast indices to integers
+            output[int(y), int(x), 0] = r
+            output[int(y), int(x), 1] = g
+            output[int(y), int(x), 2] = b
+
+    return output
+
+
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def applySCNR_numba(image_array):
+    height, width, _ = image_array.shape
+    output = np.empty_like(image_array, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for y in prange(int(height)):
+        for x in prange(int(width)):
+            r, g, b = image_array[y, x]
+            g = min(g, (r + b) / 2)  # Reduce green to the average of red & blue
+            
+            # ✅ Fix: Assign channels individually instead of a tuple
+            output[int(y), int(x), 0] = r
+            output[int(y), int(x), 1] = g
+            output[int(y), int(x), 2] = b
+
+
+    return output
+
+# D65 reference
+_Xn, _Yn, _Zn = 0.95047, 1.00000, 1.08883
+
+# Matrix for RGB -> XYZ (sRGB => D65)
+_M_rgb2xyz = np.array([
+    [0.4124564, 0.3575761, 0.1804375],
+    [0.2126729, 0.7151522, 0.0721750],
+    [0.0193339, 0.1191920, 0.9503041]
+], dtype=np.float32)
+
+# Matrix for XYZ -> RGB (sRGB => D65)
+_M_xyz2rgb = np.array([
+    [ 3.2404542, -1.5371385, -0.4985314],
+    [-0.9692660,  1.8760108,  0.0415560],
+    [ 0.0556434, -0.2040259,  1.0572252]
+], dtype=np.float32)
+
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_lut_gray(image_in, lut):
+    """
+    Numba-accelerated application of 'lut' to a single-channel image_in in [0..1].
+    'lut' is a 1D array of shape (size,) also in [0..1].
+    """
+    out = np.empty_like(image_in)
+    height, width = image_in.shape
+    size_lut = len(lut) - 1
+
+    for y in prange(height):
+        for x in range(width):
+            v = image_in[y, x]
+            idx = int(v * size_lut + 0.5)
+            if idx < 0: idx = 0
+            elif idx > size_lut: idx = size_lut
+            out[y, x] = lut[idx]
+
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_lut_color(image_in, lut):
+    """
+    Numba-accelerated application of 'lut' to a 3-channel image_in in [0..1].
+    'lut' is a 1D array of shape (size,) also in [0..1].
+    """
+    out = np.empty_like(image_in)
+    height, width, channels = image_in.shape
+    size_lut = len(lut) - 1
+
+    for y in prange(height):
+        for x in range(width):
+            for c in range(channels):
+                v = image_in[y, x, c]
+                idx = int(v * size_lut + 0.5)
+                if idx < 0: idx = 0
+                elif idx > size_lut: idx = size_lut
+                out[y, x, c] = lut[idx]
+
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_lut_mono_inplace(array2d, lut):
+    """
+    In-place LUT application on a single-channel 2D array in [0..1].
+    'lut' has shape (size,) also in [0..1].
+    """
+    H, W = array2d.shape
+    size_lut = len(lut) - 1
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            v = array2d[y, x]
+            idx = int(v * size_lut + 0.5)
+            if idx < 0:
+                idx = 0
+            elif idx > size_lut:
+                idx = size_lut
+            array2d[y, x] = lut[idx]
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_lut_color_inplace(array3d, lut):
+    """
+    In-place LUT application on a 3-channel array in [0..1].
+    'lut' has shape (size,) also in [0..1].
+    """
+    H, W, C = array3d.shape
+    size_lut = len(lut) - 1
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                v = array3d[y, x, c]
+                idx = int(v * size_lut + 0.5)
+                if idx < 0:
+                    idx = 0
+                elif idx > size_lut:
+                    idx = size_lut
+                array3d[y, x, c] = lut[idx]
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rgb_to_xyz_numba(rgb):
+    """
+    Convert an image from sRGB to XYZ (D65).
+    rgb: float32 array in [0..1], shape (H,W,3)
+    returns xyz in [0..maybe >1], shape (H,W,3)
+    """
+    H, W, _ = rgb.shape
+    out = np.empty((H, W, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            r = rgb[y, x, 0]
+            g = rgb[y, x, 1]
+            b = rgb[y, x, 2]
+            # Multiply by M_rgb2xyz
+            X = _M_rgb2xyz[0,0]*r + _M_rgb2xyz[0,1]*g + _M_rgb2xyz[0,2]*b
+            Y = _M_rgb2xyz[1,0]*r + _M_rgb2xyz[1,1]*g + _M_rgb2xyz[1,2]*b
+            Z = _M_rgb2xyz[2,0]*r + _M_rgb2xyz[2,1]*g + _M_rgb2xyz[2,2]*b
+            out[y, x, 0] = X
+            out[y, x, 1] = Y
+            out[y, x, 2] = Z
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def xyz_to_rgb_numba(xyz):
+    """
+    Convert an image from XYZ (D65) to sRGB.
+    xyz: float32 array, shape (H,W,3)
+    returns rgb in [0..1], shape (H,W,3)
+    """
+    H, W, _ = xyz.shape
+    out = np.empty((H, W, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            X = xyz[y, x, 0]
+            Y = xyz[y, x, 1]
+            Z = xyz[y, x, 2]
+            # Multiply by M_xyz2rgb
+            r = _M_xyz2rgb[0,0]*X + _M_xyz2rgb[0,1]*Y + _M_xyz2rgb[0,2]*Z
+            g = _M_xyz2rgb[1,0]*X + _M_xyz2rgb[1,1]*Y + _M_xyz2rgb[1,2]*Z
+            b = _M_xyz2rgb[2,0]*X + _M_xyz2rgb[2,1]*Y + _M_xyz2rgb[2,2]*Z
+            # Clip to [0..1]
+            if r < 0: r = 0
+            elif r > 1: r = 1
+            if g < 0: g = 0
+            elif g > 1: g = 1
+            if b < 0: b = 0
+            elif b > 1: b = 1
+            out[y, x, 0] = r
+            out[y, x, 1] = g
+            out[y, x, 2] = b
+    return out
+
+@njit
+def f_lab_numba(t):
+    delta = 6/29
+    out = np.empty_like(t, dtype=np.float32)
+    for i in range(t.size):
+        val = t.flat[i]
+        if val > delta**3:
+            out.flat[i] = val**(1/3)
+        else:
+            out.flat[i] = val/(3*delta*delta) + (4/29)
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def xyz_to_lab_numba(xyz):
+    """
+    xyz => shape(H,W,3), in D65. 
+    returns lab in shape(H,W,3): L in [0..100], a,b in ~[-128..127].
+    """
+    H, W, _ = xyz.shape
+    out = np.empty((H,W,3), dtype=np.float32)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            X = xyz[y, x, 0] / _Xn
+            Y = xyz[y, x, 1] / _Yn
+            Z = xyz[y, x, 2] / _Zn
+            fx = (X)**(1/3) if X > (6/29)**3 else X/(3*(6/29)**2) + 4/29
+            fy = (Y)**(1/3) if Y > (6/29)**3 else Y/(3*(6/29)**2) + 4/29
+            fz = (Z)**(1/3) if Z > (6/29)**3 else Z/(3*(6/29)**2) + 4/29
+            L = 116*fy - 16
+            a = 500*(fx - fy)
+            b = 200*(fy - fz)
+            out[y, x, 0] = L
+            out[y, x, 1] = a
+            out[y, x, 2] = b
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def lab_to_xyz_numba(lab):
+    """
+    lab => shape(H,W,3): L in [0..100], a,b in ~[-128..127].
+    returns xyz shape(H,W,3).
+    """
+    H, W, _ = lab.shape
+    out = np.empty((H,W,3), dtype=np.float32)
+    delta = 6/29
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            L = lab[y, x, 0]
+            a = lab[y, x, 1]
+            b = lab[y, x, 2]
+            fy = (L+16)/116
+            fx = fy + a/500
+            fz = fy - b/200
+
+            if fx > delta:
+                xr = fx**3
+            else:
+                xr = 3*delta*delta*(fx - 4/29)
+            if fy > delta:
+                yr = fy**3
+            else:
+                yr = 3*delta*delta*(fy - 4/29)
+            if fz > delta:
+                zr = fz**3
+            else:
+                zr = 3*delta*delta*(fz - 4/29)
+
+            X = _Xn * xr
+            Y = _Yn * yr
+            Z = _Zn * zr
+            out[y, x, 0] = X
+            out[y, x, 1] = Y
+            out[y, x, 2] = Z
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def rgb_to_hsv_numba(rgb):
+    H, W, _ = rgb.shape
+    out = np.empty((H,W,3), dtype=np.float32)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            r = rgb[y,x,0]
+            g = rgb[y,x,1]
+            b = rgb[y,x,2]
+            cmax = max(r,g,b)
+            cmin = min(r,g,b)
+            delta = cmax - cmin
+            # Hue
+            h = 0.0
+            if delta != 0.0:
+                if cmax == r:
+                    h = 60*(((g-b)/delta) % 6)
+                elif cmax == g:
+                    h = 60*(((b-r)/delta) + 2)
+                else:
+                    h = 60*(((r-g)/delta) + 4)
+            # Saturation
+            s = 0.0
+            if cmax > 0.0:
+                s = delta / cmax
+            v = cmax
+            out[y,x,0] = h
+            out[y,x,1] = s
+            out[y,x,2] = v
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def hsv_to_rgb_numba(hsv):
+    H, W, _ = hsv.shape
+    out = np.empty((H,W,3), dtype=np.float32)
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in prange(W):
+            h = hsv[y,x,0]
+            s = hsv[y,x,1]
+            v = hsv[y,x,2]
+            c = v*s
+            hh = (h/60.0) % 6
+            x_ = c*(1 - abs(hh % 2 - 1))
+            m = v - c
+            r = 0.0
+            g = 0.0
+            b = 0.0
+            if 0 <= hh < 1:
+                r,g,b = c,x_,0
+            elif 1 <= hh < 2:
+                r,g,b = x_,c,0
+            elif 2 <= hh < 3:
+                r,g,b = 0,c,x_
+            elif 3 <= hh < 4:
+                r,g,b = 0,x_,c
+            elif 4 <= hh < 5:
+                r,g,b = x_,0,c
+            else:
+                r,g,b = c,0,x_
+            out[y,x,0] = (r + m)
+            out[y,x,1] = (g + m)
+            out[y,x,2] = (b + m)
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def _cosmetic_correction_core(src, dst, H, W, C,
+                              hot_sigma, cold_sigma,
+                              star_mean_ratio,  # e.g. 0.18..0.30
+                              star_max_ratio,   # e.g. 0.45..0.65
+                              sat_threshold,    # absolute cutoff in src units
+                              cold_cluster_max  # max # of neighbors below low before we skip
+                              ):
+    """
+    Read from src, write to dst. Center is EXCLUDED from stats.
+    Star guard: if ring mean or ring max are a decent fraction of center, skip (likely a PSF).
+    Cold guard: if many neighbors are also low, skip (structure/shadow, not a dead pixel).
+    """
+    local_vals = np.empty(8, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for y in prange(1, H-1):
+        for x in range(1, W-1):
+            for c in range(C if src.ndim == 3 else 1):
+                # gather 8-neighbor ring (no center)
+                k = 0
+                ring_sum = 0.0
+                ring_max = -1e30
+                for dy in (-1, 0, 1):
+                    for dx in (-1, 0, 1):
+                        if dy == 0 and dx == 0:
+                            continue
+                        if src.ndim == 3:
+                            v = src[y+dy, x+dx, c]
+                        else:
+                            v = src[y+dy, x+dx]
+                        local_vals[k] = v
+                        ring_sum += v
+                        if v > ring_max:
+                            ring_max = v
+                        k += 1
+
+                # median and MAD from ring only
+                M = np.median(local_vals)
+                abs_devs = np.empty(8, dtype=np.float32)
+                for i in range(8):
+                    abs_devs[i] = abs(local_vals[i] - M)
+                MAD = np.median(abs_devs)
+                sigma = 1.4826 * MAD + 1e-8  # epsilon guard
+
+                # center
+                T = src[y, x, c] if src.ndim == 3 else src[y, x]
+
+                # saturation guard
+                if T >= sat_threshold:
+                    if src.ndim == 3: dst[y, x, c] = T
+                    else:             dst[y, x]    = T
+                    continue
+
+                high = M + hot_sigma  * sigma
+                low  = M - cold_sigma * sigma
+
+                replace = False
+
+                if T > high:
+                    # Star guard for HOT: neighbors should not form a footprint
+                    ring_mean = ring_sum / 8.0
+                    if (ring_mean / (T + 1e-8) < star_mean_ratio) and (ring_max / (T + 1e-8) < star_max_ratio):
+                        replace = True
+                elif T < low:
+                    # Cold pixel: only if it's isolated (few neighbors also low)
+                    count_below = 0
+                    for i in range(8):
+                        if local_vals[i] < low:
+                            count_below += 1
+                    if count_below <= cold_cluster_max:
+                        replace = True
+
+                if replace:
+                    if src.ndim == 3: dst[y, x, c] = M
+                    else:             dst[y, x]    = M
+                else:
+                    if src.ndim == 3: dst[y, x, c] = T
+                    else:             dst[y, x]    = T
+
+
+def bulk_cosmetic_correction_numba(image,
+                                   hot_sigma=5.0,
+                                   cold_sigma=5.0,
+                                   star_mean_ratio=0.22,
+                                   star_max_ratio=0.55,
+                                   sat_quantile=0.9995):
+    """
+    Star-safe cosmetic correction for 2D (mono) or 3D (RGB) arrays.
+    Reads from the original, writes to a new array (two-pass).
+    - star_mean_ratio: how large neighbor mean must be vs center to *skip* (PSF)
+    - star_max_ratio : how large neighbor max must be vs center to *skip* (PSF)
+    - sat_quantile   : top quantile to protect from edits (bright cores)
+    """
+    img = image.astype(np.float32, copy=False)
+    was_gray = (img.ndim == 2)
+    if was_gray:
+        src = img[:, :, None]
+    else:
+        src = img
+
+    H, W, C = src.shape
+    dst = src.copy()
+
+    # per-channel saturation guards
+    sat_thresholds = np.empty(C, dtype=np.float32)
+    for ci in range(C):
+        plane = src[:, :, ci]
+        # Compute in Python (Numba doesn't support np.quantile well)
+        sat_thresholds[ci] = float(np.quantile(plane, sat_quantile))
+
+    # run per-channel to use per-channel saturation
+    for ci in range(C):
+        _cosmetic_correction_core(src[:, :, ci], dst[:, :, ci],
+                                  H, W, 1,
+                                  float(hot_sigma), float(cold_sigma),
+                                  float(star_mean_ratio), float(star_max_ratio),
+                                  float(sat_thresholds[ci]),
+                                  1)  # cold_cluster_max: allow 1 neighbor to be low
+
+    if was_gray:
+        return dst[:, :, 0]
+    return dst
+
+
+def bulk_cosmetic_correction_bayer(image,
+                                   hot_sigma=5.5,
+                                   cold_sigma=5.0,
+                                   star_mean_ratio=0.22,
+                                   star_max_ratio=0.55,
+                                   sat_quantile=0.9995,
+                                   pattern="RGGB"):
+    """
+    Bayer-safe cosmetic correction. Work on same-color sub-planes (2-px stride),
+    then write results back. Defaults assume normalized or 16/32f data.
+    """
+    H, W = image.shape
+    corrected = image.astype(np.float32).copy()
+
+    if pattern.upper() not in ("RGGB", "BGGR", "GRBG", "GBRG"):
+        pattern = "RGGB"
+
+    # index maps for each CFA pattern (row0,col0 offsets)
+    if pattern.upper() == "RGGB":
+        r0, c0 = 0, 0
+        g1r, g1c = 0, 1
+        g2r, g2c = 1, 0
+        b0, b0c = 1, 1
+    elif pattern.upper() == "BGGR":
+        r0, c0 = 1, 1
+        g1r, g1c = 1, 0
+        g2r, g2c = 0, 1
+        b0, b0c = 0, 0
+    elif pattern.upper() == "GRBG":
+        r0, c0 = 0, 1
+        g1r, g1c = 0, 0
+        g2r, g2c = 1, 1
+        b0, b0c = 1, 0
+    else:  # GBRG
+        r0, c0 = 1, 0
+        g1r, g1c = 0, 0
+        g2r, g2c = 1, 1
+        b0, b0c = 0, 1
+
+    # helper to process a same-color plane view
+    def _process_plane(view):
+        return bulk_cosmetic_correction_numba(
+            view,
+            hot_sigma=hot_sigma,
+            cold_sigma=cold_sigma,
+            star_mean_ratio=star_mean_ratio,
+            star_max_ratio=star_max_ratio,
+            sat_quantile=sat_quantile
+        )
+
+    # Red
+    red = corrected[r0:H:2, c0:W:2]
+    corrected[r0:H:2, c0:W:2] = _process_plane(red)
+
+    # Blue
+    blue = corrected[b0:H:2, b0c:W:2]
+    corrected[b0:H:2, b0c:W:2] = _process_plane(blue)
+
+    # Greens
+    g1 = corrected[g1r:H:2, g1c:W:2]
+    corrected[g1r:H:2, g1c:W:2] = _process_plane(g1)
+
+    g2 = corrected[g2r:H:2, g2c:W:2]
+    corrected[g2r:H:2, g2c:W:2] = _process_plane(g2)
+
+    return corrected
+
+def evaluate_polynomial(H: int, W: int, coeffs: np.ndarray, degree: int) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Evaluates the polynomial function over the entire image domain.
+    """
+    xx, yy = np.meshgrid(np.arange(W, dtype=np.float32), np.arange(H, dtype=np.float32), indexing="xy")
+    A_full = build_poly_terms(xx.ravel(), yy.ravel(), degree)
+    return (A_full @ coeffs).reshape(H, W)
+
+
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def numba_mono_final_formula(rescaled, median_rescaled, target_median):
+    """
+    Applies the final formula *after* we already have the rescaled values.
+    
+    rescaled[y,x] = (original[y,x] - black_point) / (1 - black_point)
+    median_rescaled = median(rescaled)
+    
+    out_val = ((median_rescaled - 1) * target_median * r) /
+              ( median_rescaled*(target_median + r -1) - target_median*r )
+    """
+    H, W = rescaled.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(rescaled)
+
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            r = rescaled[y, x]
+            numer = (median_rescaled - 1.0) * target_median * r
+            denom = median_rescaled * (target_median + r - 1.0) - target_median * r
+            if np.abs(denom) < 1e-12:
+                denom = 1e-12
+            out[y, x] = numer / denom
+
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def numba_color_final_formula_linked(rescaled, median_rescaled, target_median):
+    """
+    Linked color transform: we use one median_rescaled for all channels.
+    rescaled: (H,W,3), already = (image - black_point)/(1 - black_point)
+    median_rescaled = median of *all* pixels in rescaled
+    """
+    H, W, C = rescaled.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(rescaled)
+
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                r = rescaled[y, x, c]
+                numer = (median_rescaled - 1.0) * target_median * r
+                denom = median_rescaled * (target_median + r - 1.0) - target_median * r
+                if np.abs(denom) < 1e-12:
+                    denom = 1e-12
+                out[y, x, c] = numer / denom
+
+    return out
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def numba_color_final_formula_unlinked(rescaled, medians_rescaled, target_median):
+    """
+    Unlinked color transform: a separate median_rescaled per channel.
+    rescaled: (H,W,3), where each channel is already (val - black_point[c]) / (1 - black_point[c])
+    medians_rescaled: shape (3,) with median of each channel in the rescaled array.
+    """
+    H, W, C = rescaled.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(rescaled)
+
+    for y in prange(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            for c in range(C):
+                r = rescaled[y, x, c]
+                med = medians_rescaled[c]
+                numer = (med - 1.0) * target_median * r
+                denom = med * (target_median + r - 1.0) - target_median * r
+                if np.abs(denom) < 1e-12:
+                    denom = 1e-12
+                out[y, x, c] = numer / denom
+
+    return out
+
+
+def build_poly_terms(x_array: np.ndarray, y_array: np.ndarray, degree: int) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Precomputes polynomial basis terms efficiently using NumPy, supporting up to degree 6.
+    """
+    ones = np.ones_like(x_array, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    if degree == 1:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array))
+
+    elif degree == 2:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array, 
+                                x_array**2, x_array * y_array, y_array**2))
+
+    elif degree == 3:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array, 
+                                x_array**2, x_array * y_array, y_array**2, 
+                                x_array**3, x_array**2 * y_array, x_array * y_array**2, y_array**3))
+
+    elif degree == 4:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array, 
+                                x_array**2, x_array * y_array, y_array**2, 
+                                x_array**3, x_array**2 * y_array, x_array * y_array**2, y_array**3,
+                                x_array**4, x_array**3 * y_array, x_array**2 * y_array**2, x_array * y_array**3, y_array**4))
+
+    elif degree == 5:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array, 
+                                x_array**2, x_array * y_array, y_array**2, 
+                                x_array**3, x_array**2 * y_array, x_array * y_array**2, y_array**3,
+                                x_array**4, x_array**3 * y_array, x_array**2 * y_array**2, x_array * y_array**3, y_array**4,
+                                x_array**5, x_array**4 * y_array, x_array**3 * y_array**2, x_array**2 * y_array**3, x_array * y_array**4, y_array**5))
+
+    elif degree == 6:
+        return np.column_stack((ones, x_array, y_array, 
+                                x_array**2, x_array * y_array, y_array**2, 
+                                x_array**3, x_array**2 * y_array, x_array * y_array**2, y_array**3,
+                                x_array**4, x_array**3 * y_array, x_array**2 * y_array**2, x_array * y_array**3, y_array**4,
+                                x_array**5, x_array**4 * y_array, x_array**3 * y_array**2, x_array**2 * y_array**3, x_array * y_array**4, y_array**5,
+                                x_array**6, x_array**5 * y_array, x_array**4 * y_array**2, x_array**3 * y_array**3, x_array**2 * y_array**4, x_array * y_array**5, y_array**6))
+
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported polynomial degree={degree}. Max supported is 6.")
+
+
+
+
+def generate_sample_points(image: np.ndarray, num_points: int = 100) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Generates sample points uniformly across the image.
+
+    - Places points in a uniform grid (no randomization).
+    - Avoids border pixels.
+    - Skips any points with value 0.000 or above 0.85.
+
+    Returns:
+        np.ndarray: Array of shape (N, 2) containing (x, y) coordinates of sample points.
+    """
+    H, W = image.shape[:2]
+    points = []
+
+    # Create a uniform grid (avoiding the border)
+    grid_size = int(np.sqrt(num_points))  # Roughly equal spacing
+    x_vals = np.linspace(10, W - 10, grid_size, dtype=int)  # Avoids border
+    y_vals = np.linspace(10, H - 10, grid_size, dtype=int)
+
+    for y in y_vals:
+        for x in x_vals:
+            # Skip values that are too dark (0.000) or too bright (> 0.85)
+            if np.any(image[int(y), int(x)] == 0.000) or np.any(image[int(y), int(x)] > 0.85):
+                continue  # Skip this pixel
+
+            points.append((int(x), int(y)))
+
+            if len(points) >= num_points:
+                return np.array(points, dtype=np.int32)  # Return only valid points
+
+    return np.array(points, dtype=np.int32)  # Return all collected points
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def numba_unstretch(image: np.ndarray, stretch_original_medians: np.ndarray, stretch_original_mins: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Numba-optimized function to undo the unlinked stretch.
+    Restores each channel separately.
+    """
+    H, W, C = image.shape
+    out = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float32)
+
+    for c in prange(C):  # Parallelize per channel
+        cmed_stretched = np.median(image[..., c])
+        orig_med = stretch_original_medians[c]
+        orig_min = stretch_original_mins[c]
+
+        if cmed_stretched != 0 and orig_med != 0:
+            for y in prange(H):
+                for x in range(W):
+                    r = image[y, x, c]
+                    numerator = (cmed_stretched - 1) * orig_med * r
+                    denominator = cmed_stretched * (orig_med + r - 1) - orig_med * r
+                    if denominator == 0:
+                        denominator = 1e-6  # Avoid division by zero
+                    out[y, x, c] = numerator / denominator
+
+            # Restore the original black point
+            out[..., c] += orig_min
+
+    return np.clip(out, 0, 1)  # Clip to valid range
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_numba_naive(
+    img_data,       # shape (H, W), mono
+    transform,      # shape (2, 3), e.g. [[a,b,tx],[c,d,ty]]
+    drizzle_buffer, # shape (outH, outW)
+    coverage_buffer,# shape (outH, outW)
+    drizzle_factor: float,
+    frame_weight: float
+):
+    """
+    Naive deposit: each input pixel is mapped to exactly one output pixel,
+    ignoring drop_shrink. 2D single-channel version (mono).
+    """
+    h, w = img_data.shape
+    out_h, out_w = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    # Build a 3×3 matrix M
+    # transform is 2×3, so we expand to 3×3 for the standard [x, y, 1] approach
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0, 0] = transform[0, 0]  # a
+    M[0, 1] = transform[0, 1]  # b
+    M[0, 2] = transform[0, 2]  # tx
+    M[1, 0] = transform[1, 0]  # c
+    M[1, 1] = transform[1, 1]  # d
+    M[1, 2] = transform[1, 2]  # ty
+    M[2, 2] = 1.0
+
+    # We'll reuse a small input vector for each pixel
+    in_coords = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32)
+    in_coords[2] = 1.0
+
+    for y in range(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            val = img_data[y, x]
+            if val == 0:
+                continue
+
+            # Fill the input vector
+            in_coords[0] = x
+            in_coords[1] = y
+
+            # Multiply
+            out_coords = M @ in_coords
+            X = out_coords[0]
+            Y = out_coords[1]
+
+            # Multiply by drizzle_factor
+            Xo = int(X * drizzle_factor)
+            Yo = int(Y * drizzle_factor)
+
+            if 0 <= Xo < out_w and 0 <= Yo < out_h:
+                drizzle_buffer[Yo, Xo] += val * frame_weight
+                coverage_buffer[Yo, Xo] += frame_weight
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_numba_footprint(
+    img_data,       # shape (H, W), mono
+    transform,      # shape (2, 3)
+    drizzle_buffer, # shape (outH, outW)
+    coverage_buffer,# shape (outH, outW)
+    drizzle_factor: float,
+    drop_shrink: float,
+    frame_weight: float
+):
+    """
+    Distributes each input pixel over a bounding box of width=drop_shrink
+    in the drizzle (out) plane. (Mono 2D version)
+    """
+    h, w = img_data.shape
+    out_h, out_w = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    # Build a 3×3 matrix M
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0, 0] = transform[0, 0]  # a
+    M[0, 1] = transform[0, 1]  # b
+    M[0, 2] = transform[0, 2]  # tx
+    M[1, 0] = transform[1, 0]  # c
+    M[1, 1] = transform[1, 1]  # d
+    M[1, 2] = transform[1, 2]  # ty
+    M[2, 2] = 1.0
+
+    in_coords = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32)
+    in_coords[2] = 1.0
+
+    footprint_radius = drop_shrink * 0.5
+
+    for y in range(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            val = img_data[y, x]
+            if val == 0:
+                continue
+
+            # Transform to output coords
+            in_coords[0] = x
+            in_coords[1] = y
+            out_coords = M @ in_coords
+            X = out_coords[0]
+            Y = out_coords[1]
+
+            # Upsample
+            Xo = X * drizzle_factor
+            Yo = Y * drizzle_factor
+
+            # bounding box
+            min_x = int(np.floor(Xo - footprint_radius))
+            max_x = int(np.floor(Xo + footprint_radius))
+            min_y = int(np.floor(Yo - footprint_radius))
+            max_y = int(np.floor(Yo + footprint_radius))
+
+            # clip
+            if max_x < 0 or min_x >= out_w or max_y < 0 or min_y >= out_h:
+                continue
+            if min_x < 0:
+                min_x = 0
+            if max_x >= out_w:
+                max_x = out_w - 1
+            if min_y < 0:
+                min_y = 0
+            if max_y >= out_h:
+                max_y = out_h - 1
+
+            width_foot = (max_x - min_x + 1)
+            height_foot = (max_y - min_y + 1)
+            area_pixels = width_foot * height_foot
+            if area_pixels <= 0:
+                continue
+
+            deposit_val = (val * frame_weight) / area_pixels
+            coverage_fraction = frame_weight / area_pixels
+
+            for oy in range(min_y, max_y+1):
+                for ox in range(min_x, max_x+1):
+                    drizzle_buffer[oy, ox] += deposit_val
+                    coverage_buffer[oy, ox] += coverage_fraction
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def _drizzle_kernel_weights(kernel_code: int, Xo: float, Yo: float,
+                            min_x: int, max_x: int, min_y: int, max_y: int,
+                            sigma_out: float,
+                            weights_out):  # preallocated 2D view (max_y-min_y+1, max_x-min_x+1)
+    """
+    Fill `weights_out` with unnormalized kernel weights centered at (Xo,Yo).
+    Returns (sum_w, count_used).
+    """
+    H = max_y - min_y + 1
+    W = max_x - min_x + 1
+    r2_limit = sigma_out * sigma_out  # for circle, sigma_out := radius
+
+    sum_w = 0.0
+    cnt = 0
+    for j in range(H):
+        oy = min_y + j
+        cy = (oy + 0.5) - Yo  # pixel-center distance
+        for i in range(W):
+            ox = min_x + i
+            cx = (ox + 0.5) - Xo
+            w = 0.0
+
+            if kernel_code == 0:
+                # square = uniform weight in the bounding box
+                w = 1.0
+            elif kernel_code == 1:
+                # circle = uniform weight if inside radius
+                if (cx*cx + cy*cy) <= r2_limit:
+                    w = 1.0
+            else:  # gaussian
+                # gaussian centered at (Xo,Yo) with sigma_out
+                z = (cx*cx + cy*cy) / (2.0 * sigma_out * sigma_out)
+                # drop tiny far-away contributions to keep perf ok
+                if z <= 9.0:  # ~3σ
+                    w = math.exp(-z)
+
+            weights_out[j, i] = w
+            sum_w += w
+            if w > 0.0:
+                cnt += 1
+
+    return sum_w, cnt
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_numba_kernel_mono(
+    img_data, transform, drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer,
+    drizzle_factor: float, drop_shrink: float, frame_weight: float,
+    kernel_code: int, gaussian_sigma_or_radius: float
+):
+    H, W = img_data.shape
+    outH, outW = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    # build 3x3
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0,0], M[0,1], M[0,2] = transform[0,0], transform[0,1], transform[0,2]
+    M[1,0], M[1,1], M[1,2] = transform[1,0], transform[1,1], transform[1,2]
+    M[2,2] = 1.0
+
+    v = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32); v[2] = 1.0
+
+    # interpret width parameter:
+    # - square/circle: radius = drop_shrink * 0.5   (pixfrac-like)
+    # - gaussian: sigma_out = max(gaussian_sigma_or_radius, drop_shrink * 0.5)
+    radius = drop_shrink * 0.5
+    sigma_out = gaussian_sigma_or_radius if kernel_code == 2 else radius
+    if sigma_out < 1e-6:
+        sigma_out = 1e-6
+
+    # temp weights tile (safely sized later per pixel)
+    for y in range(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            val = img_data[y, x]
+            if val == 0.0:
+                continue
+
+            v[0] = x; v[1] = y
+            out_coords = M @ v
+            Xo = out_coords[0] * drizzle_factor
+            Yo = out_coords[1] * drizzle_factor
+
+            # choose bounds
+            if kernel_code == 2:
+                r = int(math.ceil(3.0 * sigma_out))
+            else:
+                r = int(math.ceil(radius))
+
+            if r <= 0:
+                # degenerate → nearest pixel
+                ox = int(Xo); oy = int(Yo)
+                if 0 <= ox < outW and 0 <= oy < outH:
+                    drizzle_buffer[oy, ox] += val * frame_weight
+                    coverage_buffer[oy, ox] += frame_weight
+                continue
+
+            min_x = int(math.floor(Xo - r))
+            max_x = int(math.floor(Xo + r))
+            min_y = int(math.floor(Yo - r))
+            max_y = int(math.floor(Yo + r))
+            if max_x < 0 or min_x >= outW or max_y < 0 or min_y >= outH:
+                continue
+            if min_x < 0: min_x = 0
+            if min_y < 0: min_y = 0
+            if max_x >= outW: max_x = outW - 1
+            if max_y >= outH: max_y = outH - 1
+
+            Ht = max_y - min_y + 1
+            Wt = max_x - min_x + 1
+            if Ht <= 0 or Wt <= 0:
+                continue
+
+            # allocate small tile (Numba-friendly: fixed-size via stack array)
+            weights = np.zeros((Ht, Wt), dtype=np.float32)
+            sum_w, cnt = _drizzle_kernel_weights(kernel_code, Xo, Yo,
+                                                 min_x, max_x, min_y, max_y,
+                                                 sigma_out, weights)
+            if cnt == 0 or sum_w <= 1e-12:
+                # fallback to nearest
+                ox = int(Xo); oy = int(Yo)
+                if 0 <= ox < outW and 0 <= oy < outH:
+                    drizzle_buffer[oy, ox] += val * frame_weight
+                    coverage_buffer[oy, ox] += frame_weight
+                continue
+
+            scale = (val * frame_weight) / sum_w
+            cov_scale = frame_weight / sum_w
+            for j in range(Ht):
+                oy = min_y + j
+                for i in range(Wt):
+                    w = weights[j, i]
+                    if w > 0.0:
+                        ox = min_x + i
+                        drizzle_buffer[oy, ox] += w * scale
+                        coverage_buffer[oy, ox] += w * cov_scale
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_color_kernel(
+    img_data, transform, drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer,
+    drizzle_factor: float, drop_shrink: float, frame_weight: float,
+    kernel_code: int, gaussian_sigma_or_radius: float
+):
+    H, W, C = img_data.shape
+    outH, outW, _ = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0,0], M[0,1], M[0,2] = transform[0,0], transform[0,1], transform[0,2]
+    M[1,0], M[1,1], M[1,2] = transform[1,0], transform[1,1], transform[1,2]
+    M[2,2] = 1.0
+
+    v = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32); v[2] = 1.0
+
+    radius = drop_shrink * 0.5
+    sigma_out = gaussian_sigma_or_radius if kernel_code == 2 else radius
+    if sigma_out < 1e-6:
+        sigma_out = 1e-6
+
+    for y in range(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            # (minor optimization) skip all-zero triplets
+            nz = False
+            for cc in range(C):
+                if img_data[y, x, cc] != 0.0:
+                    nz = True; break
+            if not nz:
+                continue
+
+            v[0] = x; v[1] = y
+            out_coords = M @ v
+            Xo = out_coords[0] * drizzle_factor
+            Yo = out_coords[1] * drizzle_factor
+
+            if kernel_code == 2:
+                r = int(math.ceil(3.0 * sigma_out))
+            else:
+                r = int(math.ceil(radius))
+
+            if r <= 0:
+                ox = int(Xo); oy = int(Yo)
+                if 0 <= ox < outW and 0 <= oy < outH:
+                    for c in range(C):
+                        val = img_data[y, x, c]
+                        if val != 0.0:
+                            drizzle_buffer[oy, ox, c] += val * frame_weight
+                            coverage_buffer[oy, ox, c] += frame_weight
+                continue
+
+            min_x = int(math.floor(Xo - r))
+            max_x = int(math.floor(Xo + r))
+            min_y = int(math.floor(Yo - r))
+            max_y = int(math.floor(Yo + r))
+            if max_x < 0 or min_x >= outW or max_y < 0 or min_y >= outH:
+                continue
+            if min_x < 0: min_x = 0
+            if min_y < 0: min_y = 0
+            if max_x >= outW: max_x = outW - 1
+            if max_y >= outH: max_y = outH - 1
+
+            Ht = max_y - min_y + 1
+            Wt = max_x - min_x + 1
+            if Ht <= 0 or Wt <= 0:
+                continue
+
+            weights = np.zeros((Ht, Wt), dtype=np.float32)
+            sum_w, cnt = _drizzle_kernel_weights(kernel_code, Xo, Yo,
+                                                 min_x, max_x, min_y, max_y,
+                                                 sigma_out, weights)
+            if cnt == 0 or sum_w <= 1e-12:
+                ox = int(Xo); oy = int(Yo)
+                if 0 <= ox < outW and 0 <= oy < outH:
+                    for c in range(C):
+                        val = img_data[y, x, c]
+                        if val != 0.0:
+                            drizzle_buffer[oy, ox, c] += val * frame_weight
+                            coverage_buffer[oy, ox, c] += frame_weight
+                continue
+
+            inv_sum = 1.0 / sum_w
+            for c in range(C):
+                val = img_data[y, x, c]
+                if val == 0.0:
+                    continue
+                scale = (val * frame_weight) * inv_sum
+                cov_scale = frame_weight * inv_sum
+                for j in range(Ht):
+                    oy = min_y + j
+                    for i in range(Wt):
+                        w = weights[j, i]
+                        if w > 0.0:
+                            ox = min_x + i
+                            drizzle_buffer[oy, ox, c] += w * scale
+                            coverage_buffer[oy, ox, c] += w * cov_scale
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+
+@njit(parallel=True)
+def finalize_drizzle_2d(drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer, final_out):
+    """
+    parallel-friendly final step: final_out = drizzle_buffer / coverage_buffer,
+    with coverage < 1e-8 => 0
+    """
+    out_h, out_w = drizzle_buffer.shape
+    for y in prange(out_h):
+        for x in range(out_w):
+            cov = coverage_buffer[y, x]
+            if cov < 1e-8:
+                final_out[y, x] = 0.0
+            else:
+                final_out[y, x] = drizzle_buffer[y, x] / cov
+    return final_out
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_color_naive(
+    img_data,         # shape (H,W,C)
+    transform,        # shape (2,3)
+    drizzle_buffer,   # shape (outH,outW,C)
+    coverage_buffer,  # shape (outH,outW,C)
+    drizzle_factor: float,
+    drop_shrink: float,  # unused here
+    frame_weight: float
+):
+    """
+    Naive color deposit:
+    Each input pixel is mapped to exactly one output pixel (ignores drop_shrink).
+    """
+    H, W, channels = img_data.shape
+    outH, outW, outC = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    # Build 3×3 matrix M
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0, 0] = transform[0, 0]
+    M[0, 1] = transform[0, 1]
+    M[0, 2] = transform[0, 2]
+    M[1, 0] = transform[1, 0]
+    M[1, 1] = transform[1, 1]
+    M[1, 2] = transform[1, 2]
+    M[2, 2] = 1.0
+
+    in_coords = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32)
+    in_coords[2] = 1.0
+
+    for y in range(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            # 1) Transform
+            in_coords[0] = x
+            in_coords[1] = y
+            out_coords = M @ in_coords
+            X = out_coords[0]
+            Y = out_coords[1]
+
+            # 2) Upsample
+            Xo = int(X * drizzle_factor)
+            Yo = int(Y * drizzle_factor)
+
+            # 3) Check bounds
+            if 0 <= Xo < outW and 0 <= Yo < outH:
+                # 4) For each channel
+                for cidx in range(channels):
+                    val = img_data[y, x, cidx]
+                    if val != 0:
+                        drizzle_buffer[Yo, Xo, cidx] += val * frame_weight
+                        coverage_buffer[Yo, Xo, cidx] += frame_weight
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def drizzle_deposit_color_footprint(
+    img_data,         # shape (H,W,C)
+    transform,        # shape (2,3)
+    drizzle_buffer,   # shape (outH,outW,C)
+    coverage_buffer,  # shape (outH,outW,C)
+    drizzle_factor: float,
+    drop_shrink: float,
+    frame_weight: float
+):
+    """
+    Color version with a bounding-box footprint of width=drop_shrink
+    for distributing flux in the output plane.
+    """
+    H, W, channels = img_data.shape
+    outH, outW, outC = drizzle_buffer.shape
+
+    # Build 3×3 matrix
+    M = np.zeros((3, 3), dtype=np.float32)
+    M[0, 0] = transform[0, 0]
+    M[0, 1] = transform[0, 1]
+    M[0, 2] = transform[0, 2]
+    M[1, 0] = transform[1, 0]
+    M[1, 1] = transform[1, 1]
+    M[1, 2] = transform[1, 2]
+    M[2, 2] = 1.0
+
+    in_coords = np.zeros(3, dtype=np.float32)
+    in_coords[2] = 1.0
+
+    footprint_radius = drop_shrink * 0.5
+
+    for y in range(H):
+        for x in range(W):
+            # Transform once per pixel
+            in_coords[0] = x
+            in_coords[1] = y
+            out_coords = M @ in_coords
+            X = out_coords[0]
+            Y = out_coords[1]
+
+            # Upsample
+            Xo = X * drizzle_factor
+            Yo = Y * drizzle_factor
+
+            # bounding box
+            min_x = int(np.floor(Xo - footprint_radius))
+            max_x = int(np.floor(Xo + footprint_radius))
+            min_y = int(np.floor(Yo - footprint_radius))
+            max_y = int(np.floor(Yo + footprint_radius))
+
+            if max_x < 0 or min_x >= outW or max_y < 0 or min_y >= outH:
+                continue
+            if min_x < 0:
+                min_x = 0
+            if max_x >= outW:
+                max_x = outW - 1
+            if min_y < 0:
+                min_y = 0
+            if max_y >= outH:
+                max_y = outH - 1
+
+            width_foot = (max_x - min_x + 1)
+            height_foot = (max_y - min_y + 1)
+            area_pixels = width_foot * height_foot
+            if area_pixels <= 0:
+                continue
+
+            for cidx in range(channels):
+                val = img_data[y, x, cidx]
+                if val == 0:
+                    continue
+
+                deposit_val = (val * frame_weight) / area_pixels
+                coverage_fraction = frame_weight / area_pixels
+
+                for oy in range(min_y, max_y + 1):
+                    for ox in range(min_x, max_x + 1):
+                        drizzle_buffer[oy, ox, cidx] += deposit_val
+                        coverage_buffer[oy, ox, cidx] += coverage_fraction
+
+    return drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer
+
+
+@njit
+def finalize_drizzle_3d(drizzle_buffer, coverage_buffer, final_out):
+    """
+    final_out[y,x,c] = drizzle_buffer[y,x,c] / coverage_buffer[y,x,c]
+    if coverage < 1e-8 => 0
+    """
+    outH, outW, channels = drizzle_buffer.shape
+    for y in range(outH):
+        for x in range(outW):
+            for cidx in range(channels):
+                cov = coverage_buffer[y, x, cidx]
+                if cov < 1e-8:
+                    final_out[y, x, cidx] = 0.0
+                else:
+                    final_out[y, x, cidx] = drizzle_buffer[y, x, cidx] / cov
+    return final_out
+
+
+
+@njit
+def piecewise_linear(val, xvals, yvals):
+    """
+    Performs piecewise linear interpolation:
+    Given a scalar 'val', and arrays xvals, yvals (each of length N),
+    finds i s.t. xvals[i] <= val < xvals[i+1],
+    then returns the linear interpolation between yvals[i], yvals[i+1].
+    If val < xvals[0], returns yvals[0].
+    If val > xvals[-1], returns yvals[-1].
+    """
+    if val <= xvals[0]:
+        return yvals[0]
+    for i in range(len(xvals)-1):
+        if val < xvals[i+1]:
+            # Perform a linear interpolation in interval [xvals[i], xvals[i+1]]
+            dx = xvals[i+1] - xvals[i]
+            dy = yvals[i+1] - yvals[i]
+            ratio = (val - xvals[i]) / dx
+            return yvals[i] + ratio * dy
+    return yvals[-1]
+
+@njit(parallel=True, fastmath=True)
+def apply_curves_numba(image, xvals, yvals):
+    """
+    Numba-accelerated routine to apply piecewise linear interpolation 
+    to each pixel in 'image'.
+    - image can be (H,W) or (H,W,3).
+    - xvals, yvals are the curve arrays in ascending order.
+    Returns the adjusted image as float32.
+    """
+    if image.ndim == 2:
+        H, W = image.shape
+        out = np.empty((H, W), dtype=np.float32)
+        for y in prange(H):
+            for x in range(W):
+                val = image[y, x]
+                out[y, x] = piecewise_linear(val, xvals, yvals)
+        return out
+    elif image.ndim == 3:
+        H, W, C = image.shape
+        out = np.empty((H, W, C), dtype=np.float32)
+        for y in prange(H):
+            for x in range(W):
+                for c in range(C):
+                    val = image[y, x, c]
+                    out[y, x, c] = piecewise_linear(val, xvals, yvals)
+        return out
+    else:
+        # Unexpected shape
+        return image  # Fallback
+
+def fast_star_detect(image, 
+                     blur_size=9, 
+                     threshold_factor=0.7, 
+                     min_area=1, 
+                     max_area=5000):
+    """
+    Finds star positions via contour detection + ellipse fitting.
+    Returns Nx2 array of (x, y) star coordinates in the same coordinate system as 'image'.
+    """
+
+    # 1) Convert to grayscale if needed
+    if image.ndim == 3:
+        image = cv2.cvtColor(image, cv2.COLOR_RGB2GRAY)
+
+    # 2) Normalize to 8-bit [0..255]
+    img_min, img_max = image.min(), image.max()
+    if img_max <= img_min:
+        return np.empty((0,2), dtype=np.float32)  # All pixels same => no stars
+    image_8u = (255.0 * (image - img_min) / (img_max - img_min)).astype(np.uint8)
+
+    # 3) Blur => subtract => highlight stars
+    blurred = cv2.GaussianBlur(image_8u, (blur_size, blur_size), 0)
+    subtracted = cv2.absdiff(image_8u, blurred)
+
+    # 4) Otsu's threshold => scaled by threshold_factor
+    otsu_thresh, _ = cv2.threshold(subtracted, 0, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY | cv2.THRESH_OTSU)
+    final_thresh_val = max(2, int(otsu_thresh * threshold_factor))
+
+    _, thresh = cv2.threshold(subtracted, final_thresh_val, 255, cv2.THRESH_BINARY)
+
+    # 5) (Optional) morphological opening to remove single-pixel noise
+    kernel = np.ones((2, 2), np.uint8)
+    thresh = cv2.morphologyEx(thresh, cv2.MORPH_OPEN, kernel)
+
+    # 6) Find contours
+    contours, _ = cv2.findContours(thresh, cv2.RETR_EXTERNAL, cv2.CHAIN_APPROX_SIMPLE)
+
+    # 7) Filter by area, fit ellipse => use ellipse center as star position
+    star_positions = []
+    for c in contours:
+        area = cv2.contourArea(c)
+        if area < min_area or area > max_area:
+            continue
+        if len(c) < 5:
+            # Need >=5 points to fit an ellipse
+            continue
+
+        ellipse = cv2.fitEllipse(c)
+        (cx, cy), (major_axis, minor_axis), angle = ellipse
+        # You could check eccentricity, etc. if you want to filter out weird shapes
+        star_positions.append((cx, cy))
+
+    if len(star_positions) == 0:
+        return np.empty((0,2), dtype=np.float32)
+    else:
+        return np.array(star_positions, dtype=np.float32)
+
+
+@njit(fastmath=True)
+def _drizzle_kernel_weights(kernel_code: int, Xo: float, Yo: float,
+                            min_x: int, max_x: int, min_y: int, max_y: int,
+                            sigma_out: float,
+                            weights_out):  # preallocated 2D view (max_y-min_y+1, max_x-min_x+1)
+    """
+    Fill `weights_out` with unnormalized kernel weights centered at (Xo,Yo).
+    Returns (sum_w, count_used).
+    """
+    H = max_y - min_y + 1
+    W = max_x - min_x + 1
+    r2_limit = sigma_out * sigma_out  # for circle, sigma_out := radius
+
+    sum_w = 0.0
+    cnt = 0
+    for j in range(H):
+        oy = min_y + j
+        cy = (oy + 0.5) - Yo  # pixel-center distance
+        for i in range(W):
+            ox = min_x + i
+            cx = (ox + 0.5) - Xo
+            w = 0.0
+
+            if kernel_code == 0:
+                # square = uniform weight in the bounding box
+                w = 1.0
+            elif kernel_code == 1:
+                # circle = uniform weight if inside radius
+                if (cx*cx + cy*cy) <= r2_limit:
+                    w = 1.0
+            else:  # gaussian
+                # gaussian centered at (Xo,Yo) with sigma_out
+                z = (cx*cx + cy*cy) / (2.0 * sigma_out * sigma_out)
+                # drop tiny far-away contributions to keep perf ok
+                if z <= 9.0:  # ~3σ
+                    w = math.exp(-z)
+
+            weights_out[j, i] = w
+            sum_w += w
+            if w > 0.0:
+                cnt += 1
+
+    return sum_w, cnt
+
+