AP Toolkit

Deployment and processing scripts for Raspberry Pi nodes controlled by KStars/Ekos. Simplifies setup of Pi-based astrophotography nodes and automates data processing workflows.

What it does

The AP Toolkit assists with:

• Deploying KStars/Ekos and INDI software on Raspberry Pi nodes
• Configuring hardware permissions and system settings for astrophotography equipment
• Testing camera connectivity and basic hardware functionality
• Processing captured image data with automated calibration and stacking
• Managing file transfers and network storage between nodes

Scripts

• node.sh - Raspberry Pi deployment, hardware setup, camera testing, NFS setup, and file transfer management
• process.sh - Batch processing with Siril and astrometry.net
• ref_binder_gen.py - Astrophotography sequence planning and telescope setup analysis

Quick Start

# Create custom SD card image and flash
./node.sh flash-image config.json /dev/sdX

# Deploy to a fresh Raspberry Pi with astrophotography hardware
./node.sh test pi@192.168.1.100
./node.sh deploy pi@192.168.1.100

# Test camera connectivity (local or remote)
./node.sh test-camera                    # Test local camera
./node.sh test-camera pi@192.168.1.100  # Test remote camera

# Setup file sharing
./node.sh setup-nfs pi@192.168.1.100  # Enable NFS server
./node.sh mount-nfs pi@192.168.1.100   # Mount NFS locally
./node.sh transfer pi@192.168.1.100    # SSH transfer to ./captures/

# Plan astrophotography sequences
python3 ref_binder_gen.py --sequence --target-name "Orion Nebula" --target-magnitude 4.0 --target-type nebula --total-time 300

# Process captured data
./process.sh batch ./captures

Processing Script Workflow

The process.sh script automates the processing of astrophotography data using Siril.

Steps:

1. Stack darks, flats: Stacks dark and flat frames for calibration.
2. Calibrate lights: Applies dark and flat calibration to light frames.
3. Apply background extraction: Removes background gradients from light frames.
4. Register stars: Aligns frames using stars; uses the middle frame as a reference.
5. Exclude frames outside thresholds: Filters frames based on focus (FWHM < mean+2σ), star count (> mean-2σ), and roundness (> mean-1.5σ).
6. Stack selected frames: Combines frames using winsorized sigma filter with FWHM weighting.
7. Output: Processed images saved in process_* directory as result.fit.

If Astrometry.net is installed locally, and the appropriate catalogues are present, then the image may be plate-solved and annotated:

solve-field process_captures/result.fit -D output_directory
plot-constellations -w output_directory/result.wcs -C -B -D -d /usr/share/astrometry/data/hd.fits -o result_annotated.png

Alternatively, use the plate-solve-annotate.sh script for automated plate solving and annotation:

./plate-solve-annotate.sh process_captures/result.fit --hd

The python scriopt fits_to_mp4.py may also be used to produce a video sequence of the collected data. This is similar to Siril's ability to output a sequence to video (generally the Siril function is recommended), but the script allows specifying prefixes to filter from existing *.fit files in a directory, as well as the intermediate file format used by OpenCV:

fits_to_mp4.py . --prefix bkg_pp_ --bmp

7_26_vega_q5.mp4

This script may also be used to produce video of other timelapse subjects.

7_22_clouds_pm.mp4

Observation Scheduling

Use KStars/Ekos Scheduler for automated observation planning:

• Scheduler Guide: Official KStars Ekos Scheduler Documentation
• Complete Ekos Guide: KStars Ekos Module Documentation
• INDI Setup: Equipment Profile Configuration
• Getting Started: Launch kstars, open Ekos (Tools → Ekos), and use the Scheduler tab
• Multi-Node Support: Connect to multiple INDI servers simultaneously (each Pi runs its own server on port 7624)
• Remote Control: Switch between nodes or coordinate multiple telescopes from a single Ekos instance

Why use KStars/Ekos instead of custom scheduling scripts?

• Complete GUI-based scheduling with constraints, priorities, and automated equipment control
• Built-in INDI driver support for all major astronomical equipment
• Automated alignment, focusing, guiding, and imaging sequences
• Weather monitoring, meridian flip handling, and safety shutdown
• Remote observatory control over network connections
• Extensive documentation and active community support

Raspberry Pi Node Deployment

The node.sh script prepares Raspberry Pi systems for KStars/Ekos control by configuring:

System Configuration

• Software installation: KStars/Ekos, INDI drivers, gphoto2, system utilities
• USB permissions: Adds users to plugdev, tty, dialout groups for hardware access
• Udev rules: Automatic device detection for cameras, mounts, and serial adapters
• System services: NTP synchronization, SSH access, directory structure
• Network setup: INDI server configuration for remote KStars/Ekos connections

Hardware Support

Configures access for common astrophotography equipment:

• Cameras: Canon/Nikon DSLR cameras via USB
• Mounts: FTDI-based telescope mounts and USB-to-serial adapters
• Accessories: Focusers, filter wheels, guide cameras

KStars/Ekos Integration

Each deployed Pi node:

• Runs INDI server (port 7624) for equipment drivers
• Accepts remote connections from KStars/Ekos control systems
• Provides local storage with optional NFS sharing for captured images
• Operates as part of a multi-node observatory network controlled by KStars/Ekos

Dependencies

Nodes require: KStars/EKOS, INDI drivers, gphoto2, SSH access, hardware permissions

Local processing requires: Siril, Astrometry.net (optional)