Vox45

Good news, a new version of Kstars is available. Version 2.8.3 has had is C++ code modernized... "KStars has a mature codebase with well-written C++. It has been under constant development for the last 16 years and requires serious modernization due to the complexity of the code with its many contributors. The student is required to refactor the sources with modern C++11/C++14 features, explore and fix corner cases, perform static code analysis and implement new testing methods. Expected results: Refactor code to C++11/C++14 Replace raw pointers with smart pointers where appropriate. Use standard containers. Migrate all connections/slots to new Qt style connection. Add new unit and functional tests covering the complete scope of the source code. Reduced memory footprint especially on embedded devices. Knowledge Prerequisite: C++, Qt, Data Structures" Kstars was already very stable... can't wait to test this new version

My trusted 80ED and my DIY power panel in action

Finally got around taking a picture ... not "at night" really but almost

Video link that explain this. Looks a lot like PoleMaster and Sharpcap but works on Linux and is free

To all the INDI fans : KStars 2.7.6 has been released today http://knro.blogspot.fr/2017/03/kstars-276-for-windows-osx-released.html The most impressive new feature is : "Ekos Polar Alignment Assistant Most users were able to achieve impressive results using the this easy to use Polar Alignment tool."

Not mine but I think this is the best shot we could ever come up with (Computer-generated reconstruction of what Nicolaus Copernicus may have looked like, based on his skull )

Good new for Linux users NDI Library v1.4.1 Published: 27 February 2017 INDI development team is happy to announce the release of INDI Library v1.4.1 on Feburary 27th, 2017. This new exciting release builds on the maturity of INDI Library and comes with many new supported devices and fixes for existing drivers. Several improvements and enhancements are included in this release including native support for Cygwin and MacOS platforms in addition to Linux, BSD, and Windows (Client only). The following is the change log for the release: Support for HitecAstro DC Focuser. Support for SQL-LE Sky Quality Meter unit. Support for USB Focus V3. Support for Quantum Filter Wheel. Support for 10micron mounts. ZWO ASI filter wheel support. Driver updated to latest SDK. Fix infinite loop exposure. QHY driver updated to latest SDK. Added preliminary support to TCP server connection for all mounts. Updated and improved Nexstar Evo driver. Fixed reset of filter wheel names to default values under some circumstances Fixed feedback loop issue in chained INDI server. Handle correctly broken frames in FLI driver; convert time left from ms to seconds as it should be. V4L2 CCD driver updated to properly work with DMK cameras. Several bugfixes for Moravian CCD driver. CCD Simulator allows for up to 4096x4096 resolution. Raw color video streaming now uses RGB24 instead of RGBA to conserve bandwidth. New Dome and Mount safety interlocks mechanism. Fix the Virtuoso mount detection in SkyWatcherMountAPI driver. Support relative driver paths to INDI server. Fix property cache collision conflict in case of multiple devices per driver. Moonlite driver can now sync to any value instead of reset to zero. Store OBJECTRA and OBJECTDEC as sexigesimal strings. New Axis Lock feature to limit joystick to specific motion axis. INDI server now reaps zombie processes as they appear. EQMod support for AUX encoder values. ST4 Guide Rates settings. PPEC Switches. Fix for TELESCOPE_PIER_SIDE implementation in EQMod driver. Several fixes for Pulsar2 driver. Fix SER file generation for color frames. Added timestamps for each recorded frame. Support subframed video streams. Debug and Logging options can be saved in the config file. New CCD_TRANSFER_FORMAT property. libindi can now be compiled under MacOS and Cygwin. Non-Linux specific 3rd party drivers are also supported under MacOS and Cygwin. When a request for snooped is sent, it is echoed to drivers so that they send the snopped value immediately if it exists. libindi shared library (libindi.so) is dropped. libindi now offsers indidriver (shared), indiclient (static), and indiclientqt5 (static) libraries. Legacy drivers removed: SkyCommander, Intelliscope, MagellanI, TruTech, SBIG STV

For those who are still not sure about the maturity of Linux in the field of astrophotography, here is another shorter (16 minutes) video of a live session from start (opening the roof) to finish in 10 minutes, going through platesolving, focusing, guiding, cooling the camera and starting the capture sequence. All done on a Linux PC and Raspberry PI at the mount

In my case, I use an RPI3 at the mount acting as an INDI server to control my Canon 1000D DSLR, HEQ5 mount with Eqmod cable, HitecAstro DC focuser, ZWO ASI 185MC and a relay card. I use a laptop as an INDI client with Kstars/Ekos and stellarium plus a whole lot of goodies I've decided to use the Ubuntu Mate image instead of Raspbian as updating the whole system (including INDI and Stellarium) is now a single command. Now that they have included the driver for HitecAstro DC focuser in the INDI library I have everything I need and installing from scratch takes me less than an hour (first update takes a while) Here is a step-by-step guide for installing Ubuntu Mate + INDI drivers + Web Manager on an RPI3 : (1) get the Ubuntu Mate LST image for RPI3 from the Ubuntu website (2) copy the downloaded image to the SD card using Win32DiskImager (windows) or any other methods (3) boot on the PI and go through the installation steps as you would for a normal OS installation Although I haven't had any problems so far, I would recommend at this point that you take a backup of the whole system before making any change or update. In my case I made an image of the SD card using Win32DiskImager (free) Once the OS is installed, ssh to the PI and start with these steps : ########################################################## #Re-size file system ########################################################## sudo fdisk /dev/mmcblk0 Delete the second partition (d, 2) then re-create it using the defaults (n, p, 2, enter, enter) then write and exit (w) Reboot the system, then: sudo resize2fs /dev/mmcblk0p2 ########################################################## #add repository for INDI and any other repository you might need (in my case: Stellarium) ########################################################## sudo apt-add-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases <------ Optional ########################################################## #update the system ########################################################## sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get dist-upgrade ########################################################## #Install INDI Library including all 3rd party drivers: ########################################################## sudo apt-get install indi-full ########################################################## #Download the INDI Web Manager zip file. Extract the zip file ########################################################## https://github.com/knro/indiwebmanager/archive/master.zip unzip indiwebmanager-master.zip copy indiwebmanager-master folder to your $(HOME) ########################################################## # Install INDI Web Manager ########################################################## cd indiwebmanager-master sudo apt-get install python-pip python-dev build-essential python-requests python-psutil python-bottle pip install --upgrade pip cp -rf servermanager ~/ ########################################################## #modify [user] and [path] to reflect your real $(HOME) in the file indiwebmanager.service # located in the original /indiwebmanager-master folder ########################################################## [Unit] Description=INDI Web Manager After=multi-user.target [Service] Type=idle User=[username here] ExecStart=/usr/bin/python /home/[user home directory here]/servermanager/drivermanager.py ExecStart=/usr/bin/python /home/[user home directory here]/servermanager/autostart.py [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target ########################################################## #Copy the indiwebmanager.service file to /lib/systemd/system ########################################################## sudo cp indiwebmanager.service /lib/systemd/system/ sudo chmod 644 /lib/systemd/system/indiwebmanager.service ########################################################## #enable the INDI Web Manager to automatically start ########################################################## sudo systemctl daemon-reload sudo systemctl enable indiwebmanager.service sudo reboot ########################################################## #check the status of the INDI Web Manager service ########################################################## sudo systemctl status indiwebmanager.service ########################################################## #Connect to Web Manager ########################################################## http://localhost:8624 or from a remote laptop http://remoteserverIP:8624 ########################################################## #Disable X11 (optional) #to disable/enable the MATE desktop environment for easily creating a headless #“server”. #Executing graphical disable will present a console login on the next #boot, with no X11 or #associated services running. If you want to get the full #Ubuntu MATE desktop back, run #graphical enable and reboot. ########################################################## sudo graphical disable ########################################################## #update the system and reboot ########################################################## sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get dist-upgrade sudo apt-get autoremove sudo apt-get clean sudo reboot BACKUP YOUR PI BY TAKING AN IMAGE OF YOUR SD CARD

For those interested in INDI there is a nice and long 1H30 video from september 2016 on "The Astro Imaging Channel" with the main developper Jasem Mutlaq that goes into details of INDI/EKOS Enjoy

Good news all ! INDI Library v1.3 has been released on octobrer 30th and it includes the HitechAstro DC focus drivers developped by AJK ( https://github.com/A-j-K/hitecastrodcfocuser ) According to a post from Jasem Mutlak posted today: "I added Hitecdc focuser to official INDI, so no need to compile it, just use it from the PPA. So update kstars&indi and it should be there" Kudos to AJK for his work Other improvements include: Support for Shelyak eShel spectrograph. Support for NStep focuser. Support for ASI Filter Wheel. Support for OneStep Telescope Controller. Support for Moravian CCD driver. Support for GigE machine vision cameras. Experimental SSAG CCD driver. Adding support for fast BLOB with ENCLEN. With Fast blob mode enabled, blob performance is now significantly faster. FITS Min/Max calculations are disabled by default to save processing time unless explicitly enabled by the user at compile time. Qt5 based client class is added to enable multiplatform client development. New significantly faster base64 encoding/decoding routines. Selectable alignment modes for INDI EQMod that includes built-in EQMod alignment and INDI Alignment Subsystem. CCD sequence queue number is no longer limited to 999. More Starlight Xpress CCDs cameras supported. Updated Starlight Xpress Adaptive Optics driver. Updated Temma Takahashi mount driver. Updated Apogee CCD driver. Updated QHY CCD driver with numerous fixes. Updated FLI CCD driver. Updated Pulasr2 driver. Updated ASI CCD with support for arm64 architecture, 1600 model and a lot more. Significant improvements to GPhoto driver including better support for Nikon DSLRs. Improved GPSd driver. New CCD_FILE_PATH property to indicate remote file path. New TELESCOPE_PIER_SIDE property. Dome & Telescope Scripting Gateway added. Added support for servos in Indiduino Fix BuiltinMathPlugin crash for Southern Hemisphere Add scope park aware feature to the rolloff roof simulator INDI Logs are now stored under ~/.indi/logs and arranged by date and time per driver. Good times!

I used to use SharpCap on Win10. I have not yet tested my new ASI cam on Linux so I thought I would give oacapture a try since it is well known on the forum and JamesF is a serious developer

Very nice review! I was away on vacation so I could not progress on this. I got myself an ASI185 so that is one more thing that I need to test So far I was able to control my mount and thanks to the excellent work of AJK I was able to control my DCfocuser. I still need to test JamesF's oacapture for the Cam and test if my DSLR will work. I did take a very big bite by trying to get it working also on RPI3 and building a powerbox with a relay board ... the long winter nights will be quite busy this year

ok I'll find a way to be able to use those field as variables in a post-processing software. Thanks for this info

Yes I am doing the framing in post-processing. The feature I liked was that you could add to the frame some info taken directly from the session details. Apparently it is using "image magic" and to give you a batter idea of what I am talking about: there is a short demo here That would be a nice feature to be able to record all the session details and be able to embed them in the image in one click from inside Sharpcap

I really like Sharpcap and the PA feature you added is just brilliant ! There is a feature in Firecapture that I did not see in Sharpcap (maybe it's there) is the option to add a frame with information on the target (ephemerids I think) ... Sorry for not being more precise about how this is working as I never really used it, but I see a lot of picture posted with this information embeded and I was told that it was generated from Firecapture. Do you plan to add this to Sharpcap or is it there already ?

I installed Distro Astro and I have mixed feelings. The look is a bit dated and it runs on an older version of Ubuntu 14.04. It also uses an old version of INDI (1.0) I will try to update the INDI version to 1.2.0 but there is this comment on the INDI site: "INDI Library is available for Ubuntu 15.10 and higher" so not a lot of hope there. On the other hand, it is nice to be able to download a single ISO and be up and running in no time with an extensive set of tools already installed. Distro Astro 3.0.2 came out in may 2015 and I can see that there are talks about version 4 on their website. I can only be supportive of anyone investing time and energy in such a project, therefore I will reserve my judgement until this updated version comes out. If you want to see for yourself what a Linux distro look and feel, you can download the ISO burn it to a DVD and boot on on it. Once you are done exploring, just remove the DVD and reboot your computer. Nothing is installed on your machine. You can also boot on the ISO in a virtual machine.

I do agree that those answering newbies should be careful when using any sorts of jargon and acronyms; it does not take a lot of time to include a brief note or explain the acronyms even if they seem obvious to the poster... There is also a responsibility on the newcomer part to search for the acronym and jargon used by the community. It is only fair that some efforts should be made when learning a new craft. The Sticky post here explains most of the acronyms but the list can never be exhaustive as new acronym are bound to appear overtime...

Hello No you do not have to make the Pi act as an access point, but as I will be using it in the field, there will be no WIFI network availlable, so making the Pi an access point solves this. Regarding the issues you are having, you should start a thread here on SGL or on the INDI forum with more details on the problem

Good stuff I have to admit that once I got the RPi I realized the potential of it all ... so now I just ordered a relay board so I can switch on and off my DSLR/Mount/Focuser. My wife was quick to point out that the whole setup will be no more than 10fts away but it is just too fun to be ignored, and it costs 8€ so .. https://www.amazon.com/JBtek-Channel-Module-Arduino-Raspberry/dp/B00KTEN3TM/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=48J2A8MRAYAQV3TM6VMT

Little update on the progress I made yesterday with the Linux/INDI combo. I added a level of difficulty by using a Raspberry PI 3 at the mount acting as an INDI server and connecting on my laptop over WIFI using the INDI client (Ekos) Steps to get there: (1) I installed the latest Linux Mint (which use Ubuntu 16.04 as a base) on an old laptop. Slick interface, easy to install (next-next-next type) and I was up and running in no time (2) I installed the Kstars part and INDI drivers with a couple of commands (see earlier post) ... easy peasy lemon squeezy (3) I Installed raspbian on a RPi3 ... again, next-next-next... not much to do. Windows like installation (4) configured the RPi to be a WIFI access point. It could have been so easy but I tripped over my own shoelaces... follow the instruction, don't overthink them. I was then able to connect over WIFI to my mount using Ekos (control software) and Kstars (Carte Du Ciel equivalent) and slew to targets... joy ! Now comes the difficult part. Getting used to the terminology, menues and configuration. The interface is loaded with information, maybe too much. Making sens of it all can be quite a challenge but, as anything new (I remember the first time I looked at PHD) you get used to it and just ignore what you do not need to know. I will have to play with it for a couple of hours and do some dry runs to get a better feel of it all. So far I can say that I had no stability issues and having everything (focus, EQMOD, camera control, DSLR, guiding, plate solving and much more) in the same interface with a consistent look and feel is quite nice. Note: I will also test "Distro Astro" but only when the new version comes out (v4) has it is based on an old Ubuntu (14.04) This distribution is very interesting as it has a lot of applications already installed and is build with astronomy in mind. But for now, I'll stick with Mint. Baby steps

There is one that is on par with Photoshop. Pixinsight runs on Linux natively

I'll let the admin comment on this but I do agree that it would be nice to have a centralized forum on all Linux based astronomical applications. With such a knowledgeable and active community lke the one on SGL I can see it becoming a reputable source of information quite fast Let me add that I've realised over the last 2 years that there are already members here that are the main developpers of popular win/linux applications, just to name a few I am sure of: SharpCap, oaCapture, EQMOD, Stellarium, INDI HitecAstro focuser, so the knowledge is already here.

I can't speak for the SGL admin but I like your idea. There is a forum for all INDI related stuff here but there are only ~1.5K members there compared to 51K here (knowing that there are SGL members on the INDI forum) so not the same fire power in terme of knowledge base and response time. I guess it is also a matter of time before more people switch to Linux/INDI and the community grows. That being said, I don't want to make it sound like I am in a crusade to convert people to Linux, I just think there is a lot to gain for everyone from a broad base of Linux and INDI users as shown by the fact that in less than a week, a member of SGL was able to come up with a focuser driver that was not availlable in INDI. That is the power of openSource

I agree that this thread is far from the intended goal stated in the first post Although it is interesting and generated a lot of discussions, I may have to start another thread with only the conclusion of my experience with Linux and INDI so newcomers don't feel that they have to go through 10 pages of posts before being able to move to Linux... I feel that we are making it look a lot more difficult that it actually is. Now I am not saying that Linux is not without its difficulties, but I do remember having to create keys in the Windows registry using cryptic commands or modifying files to add drivers for a webcam without complaining about how difficult it was. It is just a different set of problems. And we are good at problem solvings aren't we ? I think that people are affraid of change, basic human nature, but once you take the plunge you open up a new world of possibilities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The reality of it is that I installed Mint and INDI/Kstars in less than 30 minutes and I only had to type those 4 commands (copy/paste actually) sudo apt-add-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install indi-full sudo apt-get install indi-full kstars-bleeding As far as these commands go you just need to know some basic 'jargon' and they become clear: sudo : a command to become admin (in linux it is called 'root') and have the rights to do admin stuff Apt : (for Advanced Package Tool) is a set of core tools to install applications and keep your applications up to date. so this command [sudo apt-get install indi-full] says in plain english: become admin and install INDI... the funny one is [sudo apt-add-repository ppa: mutlaqja /ppa] ... in plain english it means : become admin and add a link to a place where I can get software (a repository). The name of this place is "mutlaqja" So you might wonder what is a "mutlaqja" ? well it is the name of the lead Developer & Maintainer of INDI: Jasem Mutlaq My point is, I understand that some people don't want to waste time fiddling about on a computer and their interests falls elsewhere, but for those who are 'Linux-curious', lets stop making it sound as if you needed a computer degree to start using it.