Catalog downloading in AnnotateImage, ImageSolver and MosaicPlanner

[Andres.Pozo]

I have added to the scripts AnnotateImage, ImageSolver and MosaicPlanner the capability of downloading areas of online catalogs for their use as offline catalogs.

In AnnotateImage you have to add a "Custom Catalog" layer. There is a new download button that opens a dialog that configures the data to download. The star data is stored in a text file that can be reused and shared with another computer.

ImageSolver and MosaicPlanner had already the capability of using the catalog file used by the process StarGenerator (PPMX.bin). The new version accepts PPMX.bin and the new capability of downloaded catalogs.

There are a few limitations:

• The downloader limits the number of stars downloaded to a maximum of 2 million.
• The online server has a limitation in the maximum area that can be downloaded. i.e. the PPMX catalog has a maximum field of view of 60 degrees. If you need a bigger area you will have to download several files and then choose one of them for the current image.
• When the catalog has proper motion data, the script downloads and calculates the star positions for the given epoch. These positions are stored in the file so the downloaded file is only valid for that epoch. This is usually not a problem, but you have to be aware of this.

This change is already in the repository at GitHub. It should be available from the update system when Juan accepts it and prepare the update.

Andrés.

[Juan Conejero]

Nice improvement. The updates have been just released for core builds 1195/1198.

[joelshort]

I have added to the scripts AnnotateImage, ImageSolver and MosaicPlanner the capability of downloading areas of online catalogs for their use as offline catalogs.

In AnnotateImage you have to add a "Custom Catalog" layer. There is a new download button that opens a dialog that configures the data to download. The star data is stored in a text file that can be reused and shared with another computer.

ImageSolver and MosaicPlanner had already the capability of using the catalog file used by the process StarGenerator (PPMX.bin). The new version accepts PPMX.bin and the new capability of downloaded catalogs.

There are a few limitations:

• The downloader limits the number of stars downloaded to a maximum of 2 million.
• The online server has a limitation in the maximum area that can be downloaded. i.e. the PPMX catalog has a maximum field of view of 60 degrees. If you need a bigger area you will have to download several files and then choose one of them for the current image.
• When the catalog has proper motion data, the script downloads and calculates the star positions for the given epoch. These positions are stored in the file so the downloaded file is only valid for that epoch. This is usually not a problem, but you have to be aware of this.

This change is already in the repository at GitHub. It should be available from the update system when Juan accepts it and prepare the update.

Andrés.

Andres, is it possible to change the name of a custom layer in the AnnotateImage script?

[Andres.Pozo]

Joel,

as DaveB has responded in the other thread (https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=11586.msg71654#msg71654) you can know which file is selected in a custom layer by clicking on it.

I'll think about changing the description of the layer but in my opinion it is not a priority right now.

Andrés.

[joelshort]

Ok thanks Andres.  Not a big deal, I just wondered if it was possible.