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13 open source astronomy news items found

Planet and moon image stacking gets easier with LuckyStackWorker 7

LuckyStackWorker - a free, open-source desktop application for astrophotographers that automates the post-processing (sharpening, denoising) of stacked solar system images (planets, Moon, Sun) captured with techniques like lucky imaging, has updated to a new release of version 7.0.0. The application has taken a noticeable step forward, not by reinventing planetary workf...

OpenAstro AlpacaBridge launches and why it matters

After spending decades in the field setting up mounts in the dark, chasing cables across frozen ground, and trying to make mismatched software talk to hardware it barely understands, I have learned to pay attention when someone tries to solve a real problem instead of adding another layer of noise. AlpacaBridge from OpenAstro is one of those efforts that comes from live...

Automatic polar alignment for telescopes just got real

Polar alignment is a nuts-and-bolts procedure - an unglamorous but unavoidable step if we want precise tracking of the night sky with our telescopes. There’s nothing particularly elegant or mysterious about it. You’re simply aligning the polar axis (RA) of your mount as accurately as possible with the celestial pole of the planet you’re standing on...E...

New harmonic drive mount from MLAstro: The SAL-33

Astrophotography gear often comes from familiar big-name brands, so a new mount from a small solar-imaging company might raise some eyebrows. MLAstro, a Vietnam-based startup known for its cutting-edge spectroheliograph (narrowband solar imaging device), has taken a bold leap from capturing sunspots to tracking the entire night sky - I have one and it's am...

Solar weather forecast AI model unveiled

IBM and NASA have introduced Surya, an artificial intelligence system designed to predict solar weather with unprecedented accuracy. Named after the Sanskrit word for the Sun, Surya is purported to be a major leap forward in the ability to safeguard technology and infrastructure from the volatile activity of our nearest star. Now available as an open-source model on Hug...

DIY flat panel

Astrophotographers are constantly innovating to improve their imaging workflows, often creating custom tools that rival commercial products at a fraction of the cost. One clever example comes from a maker who modified a standard LED tracing panel to function as an ASCOM Alpaca-compatible flat panel calibrator. The result is a low-cost, smart device that can automate fla...

Open source software from NASA released

NASA recently released its latest open Software Catalog, featuring over 1,200 downloadable software codes developed by agency engineers. These tools are designed to accelerate solutions that support the space economy and stimulate innovation across industries. The catalog is part of NASA’s broader effort to place advanced technologies — including software, i...

PiFinder update restores Comets menu and equipment deletion crashes

PiFinder version 2.2.1 has been released, and while it's a small update, it fixes a couple of specific issues that were affecting some users. The biggest fix is the return of the Comets menu item, which had gone missing under the “Objects” section. That’s now back in place. This update also fixes several crash scenarios tied to the newer equipment ...

Siril 1.4 release teasers

Merry Christmas everyone! The eagerly anticipated release Siril 1.4 promises to bring a host of new features and enhancements. As avid users and astronomy enthusiasts await its arrival, the developers have provided a fun glimpse into what we can expect through a series of Christmas-themed teasers. A Sneak Peek into Siril 1.4 Features Siril 1.4 is set to introdu...

DIY harmonic mount for astrophotography

Astrophilos has released a video that introduces an innovative DIY harmonic mount designed to make astrophotography more affordable for enthusiasts on a budget. This new version, costing only $399, brings impressive advancements and highlights for those interested in building their own mount while saving money compared to commercial options. DIY harmonic mount for as...

Titan Astro SkyCamOne HAT for Raspberry Pi 5

Titan Astro, a young innovator in amateur astronomy technology, recently announced the launch of its groundbreaking SkyCamOne HAT for Raspberry Pi 5. This device combines the power of Raspberry Pi 5 with advanced capabilities, making professional-grade all sky cameras accessible to astronomers of all levels. Titan Astro SkyCamOne for Raspberry Pi 5: Revolutioniz...

Processing planetary, lunar and solar images with LuckyStackWorker 6

Wilco Kasteleijn, a Dutch software engineer and astronomy enthusiast, is pleased to announce the release of s version 6, an open-source software designed for post-processing planetary, lunar, and solar image stacks. LuckyStackWorker v6 continues to build upon its predecessors' foundation, focusing on user experience improvements and enhanced functionality for tho...

Galaxy visualization project

It was 1923 and Edwin Hubble (eh hum born not far from me), using the 100-inch Hooker Telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory, was able to resolve individual stars in the Andromeda Nebula (M31), including Cepheid variables. By measuring the period of these Cepheids, Hubble calculated their distance, proving conclusively that Andromeda was far outside the Milky Way, t...