KStars v3.7.4 is Released

[Konqi]

KStars v3.7.4 is released on 2024.12.05 for Windows, MacOS & Linux. It's a bi-monthly bug-fix release with a couple of exciting features.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://knro.blogspot.com/2024/12/kstars-v374-is-released.html

[rokejulianlockhart]

@Konqi

Simbad Integration with FITSViewer

John Evans added a new, experimental feature to the FITSViewer that allows the user to dynamically query the SIMBAD astronomical database and highlight the results on the image in the FITSViewer. The user draws a circle on the image and the objects within that circle are then displayed in a table and on the image.

It is possible to filter by object type and click through to the Simbad / CDS or NED websites for more information about the objects.

This is an interesting tool to see what is in your image, be it a subframe whilst you are imaging or a completed image that you have reloaded into the FITSViewer.

In order to use the feature you will need an internet connection to access the online Simbad database and an image must have WCS enabled within the FITSViewer. For the most accurate results, plate solve the image with the build-in FITSViewer plate solver. The feature is controlled by a toggle in the FITSViewer options.

Weirdly, this all renders as heading for me:

Additionally, the formatting of the undermentioned is rather nonsensical:

@Konqi

etc. · StdDev. This is similar conceptually to the Fourier Algorithm but is simpler. It uses an algorithm based on the standard deviation of the pixels in the image as the measure of focus. It can be used on star fields. · Contrast based measures use algorithms that can be found in other areas of image processing and uses the contrast of texture in the image in various way as a measure of focus. The following measures are available:

o Sobel o Laplassian o Canny

These measures require some form of extended object in the image so will not work on star fields. They are intended for Solar, Lunar and planetary focusing.

These

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Mentioned at the undermentioned:

KStars v3.7.4 is Released