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| The New CCD Astronomy - 488 pages, 8.5x11" $49.95 | ISBN: | ||||||
Click here to download VB6 source for various image processing tools
Freeware for MaxIm DL
STV Snoop
SBIG's STV outputs guide star position data while tracking. This program recieved the tracking information and allows you to copy it to the clipboard or save it to disk for later analysis.
Snoop3, available to readers of The New CCD Astronomy, also allows you to control focus, monitor, calibration, tracking features of the STV remotely. Snoop3 is a mini version of the STV Remoate software you can get from SBIG, in a much more compact package, and it includes the snooping feature that allows you to analyze the STV's tracking. Snoop3 can also be installed as a MaxIm DL 4 plug-in.- View the readme file for STV Snoop3.
- View the readme file for STV Snoop.
- Download the ZIP file for installing STV Snoop. [1.5MB]
Histogrammer
Histogrammer is a demonstration plug-in that shows how a plug-in can be used to alter the histogram of an image. The demo version applies a shifted and modified Gaussian curve to the image histogram. Dim values in the image are emphasized, and bright data is sacrificed.
You can also download the source code for Histogrammer, and modify it to perform your own histogram changes. This is a Visual Basic 6 program, and it could be converted to Scripting with a little effort.
Go to the Histogrammer page for download and other information.
Other Downloads
CCDCalc - A Visual Calculator for Matching Telescope and Camera
CCDCalc allows you to select from a wide range of telescopes and cameras and visualize how they work together to image the sky. Includes nearly every camera made, and a wide selection of telescopes. This is a Visual Basic program that you can install on your computer, and is much more full-featured and flexible than the original online version. Instructions for using the CCD Calculator are in chapter 4 of the book (section 4, "Matching Camera, Telescope, & Mount; page 168).
Click here to download the free version of the CCD Calculator program (3.3MB). This version has fewer features than the full version that comes with the book. [version 1.22]
[Full version only available with web subscription]
Image Sets for Practicing Processing
I have created some ZIP files with collections of various images for you to practice your image processing skills. If you have questions about the images, post them in the for the book where we'll have an ongoing talk about these images.
[Only available with web subscription]
TCF-S Control Software
The is a high-quality motorized focuser that can be computer controlled. Similar focuser include the and JMI's various focusers with computer control.
This software is a Visual Basic application that controls the TCF-S. It has a command stack: it sends one command at a time to the TCF-S, and when a reply is received it sends the next command on the stack (if any). This stack approach is a significant improvement over the prior version, in that it is no longer possible to confuse the TCF-S by trying to send a new command before the first one is completed. In other words, this version is event-driven. This little program can allow you to control the focuser, including changing position with variable step sizes and adjusting the position of the focuser by monitoring temperature. If you uncover any problems, please . The latest version is 2.7.4. It includes a "minimal init" checkbox, which can be used when restarting the TCF-Control. If you previously put the TCF-S into atuomatic temprature compensation mode, and then exited without turning it off, you can reconnect to the focuser without leaving automatic mode. Note: some computers put the TX line high when closing the port, and that will prevent the TCF-S from remaining active in automatic mode. Optec has been notified of this, and is working on a fix. Version 2.7.4 includes several bug fixes, and is a recommended download for all users. This version has been reported as really solid, but if you run into any bugs, please report them to me.
[Only available with web subscription]
Download the FITS plug-in for Photoshop
If you have Photoshop, I strongly recommend . It allows you to open 16-bit FITS files in Photoshop directly. You can also save to FITS, but generally you will be better off if you save in PHotoshop format, as any layers or other special Photoshop features will be preserved.
Tutorial-Related Downloads
A reader suggested that I put all of the tutorial file downloads in a convenient location. This sounds like a great idea, and I will put them here for easy access. No more typing those LONG web paths!
Copyright © 2000,2001 by Ron Wodaski. All rights reserved. Material may not be used without permission. If you provide a link to these pages, please send me an email message at about the link, and I will add a reciprocal link to my site.