History of the ASTAP, Astrometric stacking program

Questions, feedback, bug reports: ASTAP Forum or send me an email: 

  History:

ASTAP 2024-12-19  Fixed a photometry problem when using the online database and a drift occured triggering an update of the online database. Fixed batch solving TIFF files.

ASTAP 2024-12-12  For photometry improve the reporting of saturated stars.

ASTAP 2024-12-11  Development version. Fixed a problem with batch routine for tilt measurement.

ASTAP 2024-12-06  Development version. Minor change in report if star(s) are saturated.

ASTAP 2024-12-05  Fixed a AAVSO report problem for manual star selection.

ASTAP 2024-12-04  Development version. Allowed sigma clip average method for option "solar drift compensation".

ASTAP 2024-12-03  CCD inspector now adds keyword TILT to the header.

ASTAP 2024-11-30  Fixed an old alignment problem for astrometric aligned stacking.

ASTAP 2024-11-29  Development version. Fixed a problem with egain setting for photometry. Fixed astrometric stacking for flipped images. Fixed a proommand-lineblem for solar drift  compensation,

ASTAP 2024-11-28  Development version. Extended astrometric_alignment with the option to enter solar movement rate (solar drift compensation).

ASTAP 2024-11-18  Modified TIFF unit allowing up to 2gbyte unpacked

ASTAP 2024-11-17  Fixed displaying scanned plates of 27000x27000 pixels. Added possibility to bin more then 4x4. Fixed some problems in batch menu.

ASTAP 2024-11-14  Photometry, added an option to copy the data with swapped rows and columns (shift+ctrl+C)

ASTAP 2024-11-13  Fixed a problem with photometry option measure all.  Code optimisation for tab photometry.

ASTAP 2024-11-09  Fixed a major problem with analysing darks and flats. fixed a major problem with SQM reporting.

ASTAP 2024-11-06  Fixed a major problem with astrometric aligned stacking which was present since 2024-03-11. Fixed for Mac version text colouring manual alignment.

ASTAP 2024-10-23  Fixed a problem for limiting magnitude if MZERO is in the header. If photometric calibration is used then keyword LIM_MAGN and value is added to the header.

ASTAP 2024-10-21  Improvements in tab photometry.

ASTAP 2024-10-19  Development version. Allowed more then one com star in photometry tab. Fixed airmass in batch menu.

ASTAP 2024-09-25  Added an option to sort alphabetically in the photometry tab

ASTAP 2024-08-29  Corrected text positioning in inspector.

ASTAP 2024-08-21  Fixed a problem in manual alignment.

ASTAP 2024-08-20  Development version. Changed text positioning in inspector.

ASTAP 2024-08-19  Development version. Minor change in location of inspector triangle font.

ASTAP 2024-08-17  Development version. Major changes in photometry tab. Available for Windows and Linux_older versions. 

ASTAP 2024-08-15  Refreshed MaxOS M1 executable.

ASTAP 2024-08-14  Photometry, large modification. Added the option for a comparison star. For Mac fixed icons in listview menu.

ASTAP 2024-08-11   Development version. some minor improvement in photometry "measure all".

ASTAP 2024-08-01  As v2024.07.27

ASTAP 2024-07-27  Development version. Improved photometry for handling wide field images.

ASTAP 2024-07-26  Fixed a bug in the photometry tab occurring after loading a second series. 

ASTAP 2024-07-25  Major update for photometry tab. 

It can now measure non-AAVSO stars in bulk. So there are three photometry modes:

Manually
All AAVSO annotations
All stars up to number....

For the last two modes, the stars are listed in the AAVSO report sorted on standard deviation. Descending for Var and ascending for check stars.

ASTAP 2024-07-21  Development version More changes in photometry part. Added sigma value of each star for "meausre all" mode. Corrected problem reading FITS files of format +32 bit integers.

ASTAP 2024-07-20  Development version Changes in photometry part. Fixed reading +32 format FITS files.

ASTAP 2024-07-17  Development version Some changes in selecting the reference frame in tab photometry.

ASTAP 2024-07-08  Fixed missing popup menus in tab light and tab photometry!! (Since v2024.07.06)

ASTAP 2024-07-06  Fixed doubling in the photometry mag 15 database. Fixed a Linux runtime error for variable star annotation. Added font size for variable star annotation. 

ASTAP 2024-07-04  Added star proper motion correction for variable stars. If used download update local variable star database down to magnitude 15. Fixed fatal error in armhf (arm 32 bit) version.

ASTAP 2024-07-02  Development version. Improved photometry tab code and processing.

ASTAP 2024-06-29  Fixed some major run time errors in the photometry tab.

ASTAP 2024-06-25  Finalised large code modification. Fixed some things in the photometry tab.

ASTAP 2024-06-24  Development version. Very large source modification in the header handling. Please report any bug.

ASTAP 2024-06-22 Large revamp photometry routine. Added Catmull-Rom spline routine for resizing in tab pixel math 2

ASTAP 2024-06-14 Minor changes. Made ASTAP working with latest openssl for Linux.

ASTAP 2024-06-10 Development version. Allowed quad tolerance of 0.009 again

ASTAP 2024-06-10 Fixed the output of the command-line option -extract2 for system where the decimal separator is a comma.

ASTAP 2024-06-09 Photometry, the check used stars used are now stored and retrieved autmatically from the .cfg file.

ASTAP 2024-06-07 Added a filter option to the comboxes of the AAVSO report. Just type a part of the var or check star abbreviation prior to activate the drop down.

ASTAP 2024-06-04 Major update solver routine version. Fixed a bug for solving image with a FOV>2.8 degrees in versions starting 2024-2-1. Added a batch menu to measure tilt in an image series. The  measured tilt is written to the header behind keyword TILT.

ASTAP 2024-06-03  Fixed a major problem solvings image larger then 2.8 degrees. There was a problem with the tile selection reducing reliability.  This was introduced after 2024-02-03. For photometry tab made all makers positoned on ra,dec and not on x,y

ASTAP 2024-06-01  Development version. Several changes in "measure all"photmetry tab.

ASTAP 2024-05-24  New star colour smooth for the brightest stars. Improved master flat creation options. Updated the help file..

ASTAP 2024-05-23  Improved in stack menu displaying compatibility problems and issues. Help file was rewritten and updated.

ASTAP 2024-05-21  Development version improved measure all annotated in the photometry tab/.

ASTAP 2024-05-19  Development version improved measure all photometry tab.

ASTAP 2024-05-17  Update of the database. For macOS replace in shortcuts ctrl by meta.

ASTAP 2024-05-13  Added ctr+-Z function for rename to *.bak. Added average AIRMASS for  stacks. Added AIRMASS calculation to batch solve menu. Allowing scrolling in listview using ctrl+up,ctrl+down

ASTAP 2024-05-12  Change to keep form visible if users change from two to one monitor.

ASTAP 2024-05-04 Allowed -o and -update options combined. Code optimisation.

ASTAP 2024.05.01 Code optimisations.

ASTAP 2024.04.28 Development version: Fixed a runtime error in "+" actions tab lights for images with small dimensions.

ASTAP 2024.04.23 Improved code for noise and SNR calculations in electrons. Improved bit depth measurement in image info menu.

ASTAP 2024.04.16 Development version. Large code optimisation. Moved option "calibrate prior solving" to the viewer batch menu. Removed menu option "check pattern filter". This is now only available in the command line (and as menu normalise in tab pixel math 2" 

2024-04-12, Doubled the HyperLeda database in size. Note by purpose all objects with size zero have no abbreviation to prevent overlapping annotations. Use the popup menu online link to HyperLeda for identification.

ASTAP 2024.04.11 Development version. Added XISF format (uncompressed to live stacking)

ASTAP 2024.04.09 Development version. Code and algorithm optimisation in photometric calibration.

ASTAP 2024.04.08 Development version. Added median FWHM to the log of the image inspector.

ASTAP 2024.03.28 Development version. Added beside CENTALT also OBJCTALT to output of the batch solve menu.

ASTAP 2024.03.27 Improved option "Comet and stars sharp". Modified the colour smooth routine. Fixed the viewer menu for High DPI  setting.

ASTAP 2024.03.26 Development version. Added new stack option "Comet and stars sharp". Added to pixel math 1 new option called "unsharp mask". 

ASTAP 2024.03.21 Development version. Added HJD to the photometry tab.

ASTAP 2024.03.21 Added HJD option to photometry tab. Fixed for Mac exporting CENTALT in batch menu.

ASTAP 2024.03.13 Fixed an accuracy problem for astrometric stacking. Fixed image stitching canvas size for images under an angle.

ASTAP 2024.03.12 Development version. Add  airmass and centalt to files for batch menu add SQM value. Replace the 32 bit with 64 bit executable.

ASTAP 2024.03.11 Track and stack works better for images with a rotation drift.

ASTAP 2024.03.08 Development version. Allow OSC images for track and stack.

ASTAP 2024.03.07 Some minor corrections in track and stack function of the blink tab. See video demonstration

ASTAP 2024.03.02 Development version. For Funpack , remove the ( in the file name. Fixed a bug in track & stack if both asteroid and comet data is used.

ASTAP 2024.02.26 Fixed a run time error using the comet and asteroid annotation.

ASTAP 2024.02.25 Added a warning for an obsolete MPC database. Fixed Stack and Track for AstroTif files. 

ASTAP 2024.02.24 Stack and track improved. See popup blink tab and documentation.

ASTAP 2024.02.23 Development version  MPC1992 simplied. Stack and track added to blink tab. Documentation not finished yet.

ASTAP 2024.02.16 First version to create a minor planet MPC1992 report.

ASTAP 2024.02.14 Development version. First version to create a minor planet MPC1992 report.

ASTAP 2024.02.11 Development version. Some minor corrections in photometry and SIP menus.

ASTAP 2024.02.08 Allowed changing value of keyword DATE-OBS. If  change is requested the program will ask for a time shift in hours.

ASTAP 2024.02.08 Fixed two new fatal problems in the photometry tab. Marking the three stars to measure did not work anymore and downloading the online AAVSO stars did not work properly.

ASTAP 2024.02.07 Improved accuracy of SIP polynomial factors. New imaged are now automatically centered in te viewer rather then aligned to the left.

ASTAP 2024.02.03 Added the command line option -extract2. This allows export of all star positions to a .csv file. Removed option -analyse2.

ASTAP 2024.01.30 Overhauled the stack routines to increase stacking speed with about 20%. 

ASTAP 2024.01.27 Development version. More improvements in calculating SIP.. Added keywords PC..

ASTAP 2024.01.25 Development version. More improvements in calculating SIP.

ASTAP 2024.01.24 Development version. More improvements in calculating SIP.

ASTAP 2024.01.24  Fixed a problem in the command line version (CLI). Subpixel routine had a bug since September last year.

ASTAP 2024.01.20  Development version.  Integrated SIP factors in Mosaic building/ image stitching..

ASTAP 2024.01.16  Development version.  Added a full SIP polynomial option for the solver.

ASTAP 2024.01.12  Fixed some menu alignment problems for 4k monitors.

ASTAP 2024.01.11  Development version. Fixed a OSC stacking problem resulting in a run time error.

ASTAP 2024.01.07  Development version. Allowed mosaic batch processing of multiple objects.

ASTAP 2024.01.06  Development version. Allowed a mosaic of raw files.

ASTAP 2024.01.04  Code optimisation.

ASTAP 2024.01.03  Development version. Code optimisation.

ASTAP 2024.01.02  Development version. Added splitter to viewer and stack menu. Reorganised stack window menus.

ASTAP 2024.01.01 Development version. Modified menu alignments

ASTAP 2023.12.30  Improved solver for near celestial pole. Annotation will be now correct for images at +90 or -90 degrees declination. Photometry tab, fixed a problem with filling the abbreviations in the AAVSO report.

ASTAP 2023.12.21 Fixed several bugs in the new multi star photometry routine.

ASTAP 2023.12.16 Development version. New variable star databases. One down to magnitude 15. Some code cleaning solver code.

ASTAP 2023.12.12 Fixed a major problem in ephemerides alignment. Improvements to the "background contour" at  image inspector (F5 menu).

ASTAP 2023.12.11 Development version. Added "background contour" to the image inspector (F5 menu).

ASTAP 2023.12.09 Development version. Photmetry, allowing AAVSO VSX, VSP download for very large FOV but limited to magnitude 12.

ASTAP 2023.12.08 Added the V05 photometry database for large field-of-view. Fixed some inspector menus which where no longer working. Improved annotation of very bright stars. Changed auto database selection.

ASTAP 2023.12.06 Development version. Photmetry, allowed using the local variable database for measuring all AAVSO object visible.

ASTAP 2023.12.05 Development version. Fixed some problem in photometry tab regarding  measuring the magnitudes of all visible AAVSO VSX and VSP stars

ASTAP 2023.12.04 Made repaint of photometry tab more smoother. Fixed copy paste routine which was broken since 2023-09-18.

ASTAP 2023.12.03 Development version. Modified in the photometry tab the  annotation menu and added options to measure the magnitudes of all visible AAVSO VSX and VSP stars. They magnitudes will be added in the listview as additional columns.

2023.11.27  Linux, fixed a reading permission of some D50 database files near the celestial north pole.

ASTAP_2023.11.25 Fixed a tiny magnitude error (0.005 magn) in the V50 photometric database. If you use the V50, download and install a new version from the webpage.

ASTAP_2023.11.17 Fixed manual solving using 2 stars in the popup menu. Improved PA measurement using mouse pointer.

ASTAP_2023.11.16 Development version. Improved ra,dec grid. Fixed a problem for selecting the V50 database for photometry.

ASTAP_2023.11.13 Development version. Added az, alt to status bar. See popup menu statusbar. For large FOV reduced number of deepsky object annotated.

ASTAP_2023.11.12 Development version. Improved angular distance and PA calculation.

ASTAP_2023.11.10a Development version. Added an azimuth altitude grid menu option.

ASTAP_2023.11.10 Improved star detection. Fixed option planetary. Fixed default of Gaia magnitude reporting in "star info to clipboard".

ASTAP_2023.11.01 Development version. Added the possibility to measure asteroid in photometry tab. To make it run you first have to add asteroid annotations to all files. Go to the batch processing and execute menu "Add asteroid and comet annotation" for all files. Then in tab photometry, select all files, click on the first file to plot. Then click on the asteroid to place the Var on the asteroid and click on two reference stars (check and 3 annotation). Then click on the> arrow button.

ASTAP_2023.10.19 Fixed a floating point error for users still having old setting "Maximum number of stars to use"=auto

ASTAP_2023.10.14 Improved image stitching background measurement.

ASTAP_2023.10.13 Fixed image stitching mode which was not working since a week or so.

ASTAP_2023.10.13 Development version. Added the -D command line option to specify a database abbreviation.

ASTAP_2023.10.12 Development version. Modified star level for star detection.

ASTAP_2023.10.11 Development version. Redefined star level for star detection.

ASTAP_2023.10.03 Fixed a false colour filter alarm introduced in previous version.

ASTAP_2023.09.27 In tab pixelmath1 the colour replacement menu was extended with an option to remove coloured hot pixels.

ASTAP_2023.09.26 Improved Sigma Clip stack method.

ASTAP_2023.09.21 Minor corrections.

ASTAP_2023.09.19 Development version, Minor correction displayed text stack button

ASTAP_2023.09.18 New development version Faster processing especially for stacking. This required a lot of code changes. Please report any problem.

ASTAP_2023.07.09 Reduced streak filter to detection only. Sigma clip is as good. 

ASTAP_2023.07.06 Fixed some minor items.

ASTAP_2023.07.05 Improved streak filter. Fixed a major problem in OSC flat routine introduced 2023-06-17

ASTAP_2023.07.01 Improved streak filter. Fixed a scrollbar in stack menu.

ASTAP_2023.06.29 First version with satellite streak filter.

ASTAP_2023.06.28 Development version. Added advanced satellite streak filter.

ASTAP_2023.06.24 Development version. Made selection point (6 degrees) and warning for G05 database the same to avoid unnecessary warning messages. Added rudimentary streak detection.

ASTAP_2023.06.21 Development version. Stored the fixed value added during calibration or stacking to header with keyword PEDEST_C.  Improved tab  "inspector" report

ASTAP_2023.06.18 Added a filter to filter-name to remove characters like / or \ for saving. 

ASTAP_2023.06.17 Improved flat correction for OSC. Improved several other small items.

ASTAP_2023.06.13 Development version. Photometric calibration can now be saved in header. Added to popup menu of the photometry tab an option for photometric calibration.

ASTAP_2023.06.11 For photometry improved the transformation routine

ASTAP_2023.05.31 For photometry added the button "transformation (auto)". Added input fields for transformation to the AAVSO/BAA report page. Extended the viewer popup menu "star info to clipboard" report with all transformed Gaia magnitudes.

ASTAP_2023.05.28 Development version. Improved viewer popup menu option "star info to clipboard"

ASTAP_2023.05.27 Development version. Improved viewer option "annotate unknown stars"

ASTAP_2023.05.26 Development version. Some improvements in photometry tab. Some improvements in viewer option "annotate unknown stars"

ASTAP_2023.05.19a Fixed a problem in ASTAP inspector  (HFD and HFD outer where the same.

ASTAP_2023.05.19 Development version: Added SDSS transformations for photometry.

ASTAP_2023.05.18 Development version: Added new popup menu "Star info to clipboard" including measured magnitude.

ASTAP_2023.05.16 Development version: Improved flux measurement in popup menu "Show statistics within shape".

ASTAP_2023.05.15 Development version: Code optimisation for star detection and background measurement.

ASTAP_2023.05.09 Fixed a selection problem for the G05.  This version was issued  2023.05.14.  

ASTAP_2023.05.09 Development version. Fixed a minor problem related to inspecting a colour image. The images where displayed in mono after a refresh.

ASTAP_2023.05.04 Added the dust spot removal tool. See Youtube demonstration.

ASTAP_2023.05.02 Development version. Changed the OSC flat application method. Now the flat is by default normalised on the fly.

ASTAP_2023.04.29 Fixed a floating variable problem in Astro-Tiff. Corrected the star density calculation for the V50 and G05. Added command-line version for Android X86 and X86_64.

ASTAP_2023.04.21 Fixed reading ROWORDER keyword for AstroTIFF. The Bayer pattern in auto should now work for all cases. Set  Bayer pattern to auto since old settings could be wrong..

ASTAP_2023.04.19 Fixed wrong orientation of galaxy annotation for flipped images. Added the Bortle scale to the SQM measurement.

ASTAP_2023.04.09 Fixed font popup notifier. Some cosmetic corrections.

ASTAP_2023.04.08 Fixed a slow colour smooth.

ASTAP_2023.04.05 Added to pixel math2 an new menu "Increase nebulosity signal".. Added an export option the the image inspector F4 including RA, DEC and magnitude. See menu F5.

ASTAP_2023.03.30 Cosmetic changes

ASTAP_2023.03.29 Development version. Added a star removal function to the viewer. Restructured  code background calculation. 

ASTAP_2023.03.26 Cosmetic changes.

ASTAP_2023.03.25 Development version. Added Johnson-V, B and Cousins R to viewer. Some fixes.

ASTAP_2023.03.24 Development version. Added Johnson-V, B and Cousins R to photometry.

ASTAP_2023.03.22 Introduced the V50 as replacement for the V17. Introduced G05 for wide field solving.

ASTAP_2023.03.21 Added ellipse shape selection for copy past and for measument of magnitude within area. Just press CTRL or SHIFT prior to pulling the shape with the mouse.

ASTAP_2023.03.17

NEWS: New star database d05, D20, d50. The star databases h18, h17 will be phased out:

New star databases called d05, d20 and d50 have been released. Instead of a magnitude limit there will be a star density limit.  These databases are sorted to have a star density up 1000, 2000 or 5000 stars per square degree. This should guarantee that in the star poorest areas there will be sufficient stars for navigation (solving) available. But it keeps the database size moderate in star rich areas. If required stars up to magnitude 21 will be available for navigation (solving).

This will be beneficial for setups with a small field-of view. There should always be enough database stars available for navigation in the sky.

Format will be compatible with the H18. The database sizes for the d05, d20,  D50  are 100, 380 and 850 mbytes. Use the following graph to select one. Selecting a denser database has no real penalty except size.

ASTAP_2023.03.16 Added MZERO keyword. Photometric calibration can be saved. Modification for new databases.

ASTAP_2023.03.14 Development version. Removed online database except for annotation unknown stars.

ASTAP_2023.03.05 Development version. Introduced online database for small field images.

ASTAP_2023.02.27 Fixed mayor magnitude problem introduced in version 2023-02-26 for photometry and annotate unknown star menu

ASTAP_2023.02.27 Fixed measured star magnitude annotation

ASTAP_2023.02.26 Fixed importing XISF files with astrometric solution. Added confidence level to magnitude measurement.

ASTAP_2023.02.17 Added a new popup menu: Simbad deepsky annotation with filter

ASTAP_2023.01.12 Fixed some minor problems for menu option arbitrary rotation and deepsky annotation for flipped images.

ASTAP_2022.12.28 MacOS, stackmenu, more fixes for the keyboard left and right arrow scroll.

ASTAP_2022.12.27 MacOS, removed some counter update fixes since they interfered with operation. Counter update is not always working due to bug in compiler (missing event)

ASTAP_2022.12.26a Fixed a cursor and counting problem for MacOS.

ASTAP_2022.12.26 Large modification for the selection box. Mainly for fixing a problem on MacOS.

ASTAP_2022.12.24 Added for stack menu the left/right arrow button for manual scrolling through the images.

ASTAP_2022.12.20 Fixed header DATE-OBS for option "calibration and alignment only".  "Added missing object name in results tab for option "calibration and alignment only"

ASTAP_2022.12.14  For AAVSO report take filter from header.

ASTAP_2022.12.09  Some minor corrections

ASTAP_2022.12.04  Development version. Replaced in the Mac version CNTRL by Command button. Improved "Tools/Local Adjustments,  colour smooth  

ASTAP_2022.12.01  Development version. Significant code reorganisation. No functionality change.

ASTAP_2022.11.30  Added option to stack in the photometry tab.

ASTAP_2022.11.29a  Development version. Added option to calibrate and extract green channel in photometry tab

ASTAP_2022.11.29  Development version, fixed bug colouring saturated stars of version 2022-11-28. 

ASTAP_2022.11.28  Development version, reduced artifacts in LRGB stacking.

ASTAP_2022.11.25  Cosmetic changes.

ASTAP_2022.11.21  Development version:. Added DATE-OBS to  header for RAW file converted to FITS.

ASTAP_2022.11.16  Some cosmetic changes.

ASTAP_2022.11.14  Inspector, bottom text message background is now black. Added commandline acces to live stack tab with "-stack path"

ASTAP_2022.11.10  Almost identical to version 2022.10.09

ASTAP_2022.11.09  Development version. Worked in menu stack method. Added SNR based on electrons to photometry tab.

ASTAP_2022.11.08  Development version. Added a default for EGAIN if it is missing in the header.

ASTAP_2022.11.07  Development version. Added SNR based on electrons. See popup menu status bar

ASTAP_2022.11.04a  Improved menu option move files to directory name+date. Changed quality measurement to nrstar/sqr(hfd)

ASTAP_2022.11.04  Fixed a time zone correction for batch menu restore file dates. Minor mod  pixel math for  creating test images. Added popup menu option status bar for total ADU reading of stars.

ASTAP_2022.10.22 Automated for stacking the detection of RAW DSLR images.

ASTAP_2022.10.19a Fixed a runt time error if auto-demosaic is activated if a mono files is added. 

ASTAP_2022.10.19  Improved changing header key word values for raw (CR2) and XISF files. Fixed live stacking for raw files (.CR2...)

ASTAP_2022.10.01 Bug in the reporting the field-of-view as soon the image is cropped during solving. So typical for images of a field larger then 5 degrees. The wrong FOV is only reported in the GUI. 

ASTAP_2022.09.27 Improved monitor tab with sensor location. Added one digit to roundness measurment (F3).

ASTAP_2022.09.26 Development version: Some more improvements in monitor tab. Some fine tuning triples mode.

ASTAP_2022.09.25 Development version: Added option solving with triples instead of quad for less then 30 stars. Added an arrow for monitor tab. Fixed angular distance reporting in the fits header.  Several small changes.

ASTAP_2022.09.17 Some cosmetic changes..

ASTAP_2022.09.16 Allow header keyword changes in non-standard FITS files which are not a multiply of 2880 bytes. Cosmetic corrrection for CALSTAT keyword value if bias is missing.

ASTAP_2022.09.12 Some cosmetic changes in the code

ASTAP_2022.09.10 Replace the header ° symbol by a d since it was converted to unicode.

ASTAP_2022.09.09 Fixed a problem for arbitrary rotating of flipped images. Fixed a problem with angle indication introduced a day ago.

ASTAP_2022.09.08 Fixed reading old style WCS for flipped images. Fixed option N for arbitrary rotation.
ASTAP_2022.09.04 Small modification to allow displaying the first colour image of FITS files containing four colours.
ASTAP_2022.08.18 Added shortcuts to the inspector menu (F5)
ASTAP_2022.08.09 Programmed unicode characters as replacement for missing icons in Mac version.
ASTAP_2022.08.07 Improved icon indication for statistical selection in tab lights.
ASTAP_2022.08.05 Fixed Fuji X-trans sensor demosaic. Fixed sorting a list in Mac version where check mark position is lost.
ASTAP_2022.08.04 Fixed some items for photometry tab.
ASTAP_2022.08.03 Fixed gain indication/selection dark and flat tab. Fixed some problems introduced 2022-08-02.
ASTAP_2022.08.02 Large code restructuring. Please report any problem.
ASTAP_2022.08.01 Added limiting magnitude to photometry tab for case AAVSO has no comparison stars. Fixed loosing keyword CALSTAT after stack, save new header
ASTAP_2022.07.31 Fixed error in photometry tab for case AAVSO has no comparison stars.

ASTAP_2022.07.13 Added Simbad online annotation. Fixed some other small online request problems.

ASTAP_2022.07.08 Fixed the batch solve image for macOS. Added TIFF to batch menu bin x2 or x3.

2021-11-05  ASTAP_ß0.9.588b Added clear list to popupmenu results tab and added reference image indicator to blink tab.

2021-11-01  ASTAP_ß0.9.588 Added unroundness measurement to CCD inspector.
2021-10-30  ASTAP_CLI ß0.9.587 Adapted the command-line version to the W08 wide field star database. W08 will be used if the FOV is larger then 20 degrees (height). Updated the astap_cli star detection to astap version (circular annulus)
2021-10-24  ASTAP ß0.9.587 Replaced w07 by w08 database. Improved solving for wide field. Added option auto select database.
2021-10-20  ASTAP ß0.9.586 Development version: Added constellations and solving for field-of-view larger then 20 degrees using the new w08 database. Fixed a problem for the AAVSO report for 4k monitors.
2021-10-15  ASTAP ß0.9.585  Added a stack option to skip RGB combining.
2021-10-09  ASTAP ß0.9.584a  Fixed extension problem in macOS using menu option export.
2021-10-08  ASTAP ß0.9.584  Some minor corrections. Removed de-mosaic method Malvar_Hu_Cutler.
2021-10-06  ASTAP ß0.9.583  Development version. Fixed a flat & flat-dark classification problem.
2021-10-06  ASTAP ß0.9.582  Development version. Added an flat & flat-dark classification option for exposure time. Blink menu. prevent run time errors for button "export alignment".
2021-10-02  ASTAP ß0.9.581c  Fixed a lost Windows. Unfortunately I compiled the program with the main window at my left screen. This is now fixed.
2021-10-01  ASTAP ß0.9.581b  Fixed a status bar problem. Fixed a minor problem indicating the RA mount error for large errors.
2021-09-25  ASTAP ß0.9.581  Fixed -update command line option for ASTAP and ASTAP_CLI. Added marker input for degrees. Fixed a minor annotation accuracy problem.
2021-09-24  ASTAP ß0.9.580  Development version. Added CCD inspector to live stacking. Fixed dark and flat apply for live stacking.
2021-09-23  ASTAP ß0.9.579c  Development version. Tweaked colour smooth routine.
2021-09-14  ASTAP ß0.9.579b  Development version. Fixed a problem stacking 8 bit images.
2021-09-13  ASTAP ß0.9.579  Development version. Fixed an error in tab mount analyses.
2021-09-12  ASTAP ß0.9.578  Development version. Added to tab mount analyses an option to measure the polar axis error using two images.
2021-09-09  ASTAP ß0.9.577  Development version. Modified the tab for mount analyse.
2021-09-09  ASTAP ß0.9.576  Development version. Added RAW red, blue pixel extraction to photometry tab. Replaced some ephemerides calculation  code.
2021-09-05  ASTAP ß0.9.575  Some very minor changes.
2021-09-03  ASTAP ß0.9.574a Development version. Replaced the ephemerides routine for annotations. This is a large mod. Added more tilt info in  the CCD inspector bottom line message..
2021-08-27  ASTAP ß0.9.573 Fixed persistent text location for flipped view.
2021-08-27  ASTAP ß0.9.572 Viewer, added an option to annotate in the image data (persistent). See popup menu "Add annotation", add  @ to the text.
2021-08-25  ASTAP ß0.9.571a Small cosmetic menu changes.
2021-08-23  ASTAP ß0.9.571 Adapted automatic binning to cropping and so increasing the solver reliability for FOV larger then 5 degrees. Some code optimisations.
2021-08-19  ASTAP ß0.9.570 Fixed a cropping problem for very large FOV. Adapted star annotation for very large FOV.
2021-08-18  ASTAP ß0.9.569a Fixed a range problem in undisturbed image scale calculation.
2021-08-17  ASTAP ß0.9.569 Improved routine for adding "SIP polynome" factors. Added a routine to measure undisturbed image scale based on the center stars. This will greatly improve inspector "show distortion".
2021-08-12  ASTAP ß0.9.568 Improved indication "show distortion" including reporting the median astrometric error.
2021-08-10  ASTAP ß0.9.567 Changed background part of the solver. Modified artificial image routine.
2021-08-07  ASTAP ß0.9.566a Added an option to place the RA, DEC marker in the center by typing C.
2021-08-07  ASTAP ß0.9.566 Overhauled batch routine menus. Changed some icons.
2021-08-06  ASTAP ß0.9.565b Fixed a runtime error in AAVSO report for the case only one image is used.
2021-08-03  ASTAP ß0.9.565a Prevented a runtime error for large annulus used for star measurement.
2021-07-31  ASTAP ß0.9.565 Some improvements in the limiting magnitude reporting.
2021-07-30  ASTAP ß0.9.564 Improved limiting magnitude calculation.
2021-07-29  ASTAP ß0.9.563 Added a magnitude estimate message in the photometry calibration. Code optimisation.
2021-07-27  ASTAP ß0.9.562 Linux, fixed a  shared libraries: libQt5Pas.so.1 error message.
2021-07-25  ASTAP ß0.9.562 Improved conversion to FITS routine, added PPM files, xisf.
2021-07-21  ASTAP ß0.9.561 Added a Simbad query for the popup menu.
2021-07-18  ASTAP ß0.9.560a Some minor corrections. Fixed message sub-sampling required for very large images.
2021-07-14  ASTAP ß0.9.560 Added "Aberration Inspector", Fixed font size free text at bottom.
2021-07-09  ASTAP_CLI, fixed the -fov option of the astap_cli version. Fixed a run time error using stdin.
2021-07-08  ASTAP ß0.9.559 Improved reporting via keyword CALSTAT. Modified some messages.
2021-07-03 Improved some things in the command line version.
2021-07-03  ASTAP ß0.9.558a Development version.  Fixed a problem where jpeg, png and tiff where read in mono colours only. Updated the compiler for Mac to fix a sorting problem of the listview checkboxes.
2021-06-30  ASTAP ß0.9.558 Development version.  Added a light curve to the photometry report:




2021-06-26  ASTAP ß0.9.557 Improved SOLVER. Removed some flashing in the log.
2021-06-25  ASTAP ß0.9.556 Modified the alignment of the controls in the stack menu. Issued for the Mac.
2021-06-23  ASTAP ß0.9.555 Modified "magnitude measured annotation" menu option. Added a calculated 10 sigma limited magnitude indication.
2021-06-22  ASTAP ß0.9.553b Fixed arm64 version for the RaspberryPi. The compiler created a version which always used a FOV of 5.1 degrees. Fixed.
2021-06-20  ASTAP ß0.9.554 For command line and using LibRaw, now creating consistent file extensions for .log and.wcs log files. So .CR3 is resulting in .ini and .wcs files and not in .CR3.ini and .CR3.wcs log files.
2021-06-17  ASTAP ß0.9.553a Cosmetic changes.
2021-06-15  ASTAP ß0.9.553 Development version, new menu for finding an object position. New menu for SQM measurement.
2021-06-15  ASTAP ß0.9.552a Fixed Libraw conversion for the Mac
2021-06-13  ASTAP ß0.9.552a Development version. Improved some things in the CCD inspector, menu "Median back ground values".
2021-06-12  ASTAP ß0.9.552 Fixed restoring saved check marks file list. Fixed option calibration and alignment. Fixed writing values above 65535 in 16 bit format. Some improvements stacking routine.
2021-06-10  ASTAP ß0.9.551 Development version. Improved SQM routine for DSLR images. 
2021-06-08  ASTAP ß0.9.550 Modified blink routine. Keeps now solution in memory rather then in separate files.
2021-06-07  ASTAP ß0.9.549 Fixed calibration prior to solving
2021-06-06  ASTAP ß0.9.548 Development version. Added internal routine to inspector to convert colour to mono for better accuracy of coloured images. Introduced new menu to inspector for measuring relative median background values.
2021-06-03  ASTAP ß0.9.547b Development version. Fixed a minor problem if change keyword is applied on .CR2 files.
2021-05-28  ASTAP ß0.9.547 Replaced in CCD inspector menu the box filter by normalise option. Reorganised tab stack menu.
2021-05-27  ASTAP ß0.9.546 Improved loading time again. Added normalise filter for OSC flats.
2021-05-26  ASTAP ß0.9.545 Cosmetic corrections stack menus. Improved loading time when stack menu contains many files.
2021-05-25  ASTAP ß0.9.544 Fixed several annotation problems. Fixed dave-avg calculation which was broken.
2021-05-24  ASTAP ß0.9.543 Added a menu option to add some data to the bottom of the screen. See viewer menu screen. Modified the code of asteroid annotation.
2021-05-22  ASTAP ß0.9.542 Allowing LSHO stacking. E.g. H-alpha for both green and luminance.
2021-05-20  ASTAP ß0.9.541 Added some extra messages for photometry. Fixed a minor problem at RA=0.
2021-05-19  ASTAP ß0.9.540 Added in tab result an option to add the time to the filenames.
2021-05-17  ASTAP ß0.9.538/9 Fixed a run time error occuring after clicking on colour images or debayering with 130% scale layout. 
2021-05-16  ASTAP ß0.9.537d Moved font away from star for inspector menu HFD values since it influenced the measurment.
2021-05-16  ASTAP ß0.9.537c  Improved the date input interface for asteroid annotation.
2021-05-15  ASTAP ß0.9.537b  Fixed reporting of luminance filter for stacking.
2021-05-14  ASTAP ß0.9.537  Fixed for blink and photometry tab a wrong column for data/time.
2021-05-14  ASTAP ß0.9.536  Added the min HFD filter to analyse the image list. Fixed saving the smooth filter diameter.
2021-05-14  ASTAP ß0.9.535  Added a "remove green & purple" filter for Hubble palette.
2021-05-11  ASTAP ß0.9.534  Added a second CCD inspector menu using stars with SNR>10. Simplied menu "creating star test images"
2021-05-10  ASTAP ß0.9.533a  Added bith depth measurement to the statistics.
2021-05-07  ASTAP ß0.9.533  Improved saturation detection for images with max values below 65000.  Typical DSLR images with max pixel values of 4096 or 16384.
2021-05-06  ASTAP ß0.9.532  Further improved grid. Reintroduced log scale for histogram.
2021-05-02  ASTAP ß0.9.531  Added RA,DEC grid option under menu View.
2021-04-29  ASTAP ß0.9.530  Added possibility to calculate and add SIP coefficient to the header. Added filter names to stacked file name. Added pixel scale to show distortion. Increased sensitivity show distortion menu.
2021-04-26  ASTAP ß0.9.529a  Fixed a hanging bug in histogram routine for high resolution monitors
2021-04-24  ASTAP ß0.9.529  Removed piece of test code to fix the mount analyse tab.
2021-04-20  ASTAP ß0.9.528a  Modified max range setting histogram.
2021-04-18  ASTAP ß0.9.528  Overhauled histogram. Removed beep in inspector. Allowed colour change for all annotations via menu asteroid annotation.
2021-04-14  ASTAP ß0.9.527  For the stack routine replaced the small ".astap_solution" files by memory based solution.
2021-04-13  ASTAP ß0.9.526  Development version. Master flat and master dark can be created based on date. For light the nearest dark and flat date will be selected.
2021-04-09  ASTAP ß0.9.525  Removed creation of *.bak files in several file save actions.
2021-04-07  ASTAP ß0.9.524b  Some format changes mount analyse tab.
2021-04-06  ASTAP ß0.9.524  Modified the mount analyse tab.
2021-04-06  ASTAP ß0.9.523b  Fixed a problem with Nina FITS headers containing keyword value  OBJCTRA = '00 00 00'
2021-04-05  ASTAP ß0.9.523  Modified LRGB and OSC stacking.  Fixed a problem for the Mac for renaming to *.bak or removing a selection
2021-04-02  ASTAP ß0.9.522  Improved background detection for solver. Added colour icons to flat tab.
2021-03-30  ASTAP ß0.9.521  For tab mount added option to write solution to .wcs file
2021-03-29  ASTAP ß0.9.520bcd  Added true equinox of date for tab mount
2021-03-25  ASTAP ß0.9.520  Added tab for mount analysing
2021-03-25  ASTAP ß0.9.519  Added airmass to photometry and default observer position for DSLR images.
2021-03-22  ASTAP ß0.9.518  Cosmetic changes in the photometry routine.
2021-03-21  ASTAP ß0.9.517  For photometry changed the annulus shape to round. Overhauled background detection in the star detection routine. Solving should work a little better.
2021-03-21  ASTAP ß0.9.516  Fixed a fatal bug in unprocessed_raw conversion program for raw files.
2021-03-17  ASTAP ß0.9.515  Some small correction for photometry.
2021-03-16  ASTAP ß0.9.514  Update for new LibRaw program. This modified LibRaw version can export directly to fits file and will be included with the program.
2021-03-14  ASTAP ß0.9.513  Linux, first test version with modified LibRaw program unprocessed_raw-astap. Separate download for unprocessed_raw-astap.
2021-03-09  ASTAP ß0.9.512a  Fixed a very rare run time error in the solver.
2021-03-08  ASTAP ß0.9.512  Photometry adjustments. Backwards blink for blink tab.
2021-03-06  ASTAP ß0.9.511  Photometry adjustments. Backwards blink for lights tab.
2021-03-05  ASTAP ß0.9.510  Revamp and split of photometry calibration for point and extended objects.
2021-03-03  ASTAP ß0.9.509  Added adjustable annulus for photometry.
2021-03-03  ASTAP ß0.9.508b  fixed photometry for H17, H18.
2021-03-02  ASTAP ß0.9.508  fixed photometry annotation problem.
2021-03-02  ASTAP ß0.9.507b  fixed a photometry alignment error.
2021-03-02  ASTAP ß0.9.507  Improvements photometry tab.
2021-02-27  ASTAP ß0.9.506  Added fixed aperture to photometry tab.
2021-02-26  ASTAP ß0.9.505  Improvements photometry tab. 
2021-02-25  ASTAP ß0.9.503/4 Development version. Improved photometry tab, modified the command-line such that solving, analyse and sqm mesurements are possible in one command.
2021-02-23  ASTAP ß0.9.502 Development version. Improved photometry menu.
2021-02-22  ASTAP ß0.9.501 Development version, Fixed pedestal of "calibration only".  Improved some things in the photmetry tab.
2021-02-22  ASTAP ß0.9.500 Fixed a command line  bug for H17 and H18 databases. For some areas solving didn't work correctly.
2021-02-18  ASTAP ß0.9.499 Development version. Raw colour extraction extended with named colours.
2021-02-16  ASTAP ß0.9.498 Fixed the distortion display. Fixed a problem with not enough stars in star database annotation.
2021-02-15  ASTAP ß0.9.497a Fixed some ugly annotation fonts in the Windows version.
2021-02-14  ASTAP ß0.9.497 Fixed a run time error in ephemerids calculation.
2021-02-13  ASTAP ß0.9.496 Added atmopheric extinction correction for SQM measurement.
2021-02-12  ASTAP ß0.9.495 Add a report to file at AAVSO menu.
2021-02-12  ASTAP ß0.9.494 Fixed a problem that variable annotation worked for all tabs and not only photometry tab.
2021-02-11  ASTAP ß0.9.493b Different font settings for deepsky objects.
2021-02-10  ASTAP ß0.9.493 Bug fix photometry tab and AAVSO report.
2021-02-10  ASTAP ß0.9.492 Development version: Bug fix photometry and AAVSO report.
2021-02-09  ASTAP ß0.9.490/1 Development version: Added AAVSO reporting to the photometry tab. Overhauled photometry routine.
2021-02-07  ASTAP ß0.9.489 Development version: Adapted asteroid annotation font size to image dimensions.
2021-02-06  ASTAP ß0.9.488 Development version:  Increased accuracy of photometry.
2021-02-03  ASTAP ß0.9.487 Modified photometry tab to three stars. Added AAVSO reference stars to the variable star database.
2021-01-30  ASTAP ß0.9.486 Modified centering for photometry tab.
2021-01-29  ASTAP ß0.9.485 Reduced the noise in the magnitude measurement with about 20%.
2021-01-28  ASTAP ß0.9.484 Fixed broken ra, dec marker. Corrected some messages in photomety tab. Improved code photometry calibration.
2021-01-27  ASTAP ß0.9.483 Tuned a factor in the solver. Some code clean-up.
2021-01-22  ASTAP ß0.9.482 DEvelopment version, added a pedestal input for the batch routine "add sqm value".
2021-01-21  ASTAP ß0.9.481 Development version. Added SQM measurement to command line, batch routine and lights tab.
2021-01-21  ASTAP ß0.9.480 Simplified SQM measurement. Modified Image inspector menu for Bayer images.
2021-01-19  ASTAP ß0.9.479 Added an Image inspector for Bayer images. Image will be first 2x2 Box filtered.
2021-01-19  ASTAP ß0.9.478 Added the option to enter a pedestal correction to the SQM menu.
2021-01-18  ASTAP ß0.9.477 Moved SQM measurement to seperate menu. Added SQM based on noise.
2021-01-17  ASTAP ß0.9.476a Fixed a decimal in SQM measurement.
2021-01-17  ASTAP ß0.9.476 Development version. Changed noise detection solver. Added SQM measurement to viewer menu "Magnitude (measured) annotation".
2021-01-13  ASTAP ß0.9.475 Some menu changes "image (CCD) inspector".
2021-01-13  ASTAP ß0.9.474 Added 2D contour to the image inspector.
2021-01-10  ASTAP ß0.9.473 Adapted the license to LGPL3+
2021-01-09  ASTAP ß0.9.473 Adapted flow control of stdin channel.
2021-01-09  ASTAP ß0.9.472 Raw images  can be send to ASTAP using stdin. See command line option "-f stdin"
2021-01-07  ASTAP ß0.9.471 Improved some messages and text.
2021-01-05  ASTAP ß0.9.470 Added H17 database. This one replaces the G17. Minor modification in database selection.
2021-01-04  ASTAP ß0.9.469 Fixed Debian package. Removed an old ASTAP version at /usr/local/bin and replaced it by a logical link. 
2021-01-03  ASTAP ß0.9.469  Introduced the H18 database. This database contains 1475 areas rather then the previous 290 areas. Solving speed will be fast for file with a FOV less then one degrees.
2020-12-26  ASTAP ß0.9.468  Fixed file selection of some batch menu options for Linux. Fixed bath right orientation.
2020-12-20  ASTAP ß0.9.467  Adapted the units of the reported mount error.
2020-12-18  ASTAP ß0.9.466 Added for command line option  find best focus using several input files also the remaining error.
2020-12-17  ASTAP ß0.9.465 Development version: added command line option to find best focus using several input files.
2020-12-17  ASTAP ß0.9.464 Development version: several small improvements and fixes. Reports mount offset.
2020-12-16  ASTAP ß0.9.463 Development version: New tool, show the mount position in solved image. Some improvements
2020-12-16  ASTAP ß0.9.462 Development version: Online Gaia star information by rectangle selection. Astrometric solution of cropped FITs  moved to image center. Displays better in planetarium program.
2020-12-14  ASTAP ß0.9.461 Development version: Experimental online Gaia star information for a star at the mouse pointer.
2020-12-14  ASTAP ß0.9.460 Fixed reading date_obs and observer location from XISF file for asteroid annotation.
2020-12-12  Uploaded the first new Gaia star databases based on Gaia release eDR3. Difference will be minimal.
2020-12-11 ASTAP ß0.9.459b Increased the minimum detection level for the inspector tab to SNR>30. Results are now equal to CCD inspector in viewer.
2020-11-29 ASTAP ß0.9.459   Fixed a minor display problem for 4k screens.
2020-11-27 ASTAP ß0.9.458   Excluded saturated stars from CCD inspector.
2020-11-26 ASTAP ß0.9.457   Fixed rare problem in background calculation for OSC images if an even stepsize is selected.
2020-11-25 ASTAP ß0.9.456a   Some cosmetic menu corrections for QT5 version.
2020-11-25 ASTAP ß0.9.455   Added code for selection of dcraw-astap, a version which creates pgm files with meta data in the comment section.
2020-11-24 ASTAP ß0.9.454   Improved code for listview preventing runtime errors.
2020-11-23 ASTAP ß0.9.453   Adapted altitude and azimuth reading to both string and float format reading.
2020-11-22 For Linux, set permission correct for deep_sky.csv
2020-11-21 ASTAP ß0.9.452   Stack menu. Modified column stars_detected in image quality column. Quality is equal to nr stars detected divided by HFD. Upgraded automatic unselection of poor image accordingly.
2020-11-20 ASTAP ß0.9.451   Changed selection of reference image for stacking from lowest hfd to quality equal stars_detected/hfd.
2020-11-18 ASTAP ß0.9.450   Improved the photometric tab functionality. Corrected long warning strings in FITS header. Fixed an exposure time detection in stacking.
2020-11-09 ASTAP ß0.9.449   Overhauled the star database reader. The solver is 35 to 40% faster for small fields (<=0.5 degrees)
FOV=4.6 degrees, offset 50 degrees. Solved in 2.6 seconds
FOV=0.48 degrees, offset 22 degrees. Solved in 34 seconds
FOV=0.23 degrees, offset 6 degrees. Solved in 20.5 seconds

2020-11-05 ASTAP ß0.9.448   Cosmetic code changes.
2020-11-03 ASTAP ß0.9.447   Cosmetic changes.
2020-11-02 ASTAP ß0.9.446   More improvements for displaying MEF, multi-extension FITS. Removed exporting FITS with tables.
2020-11-01 ASTAP ß0.9.445   Fixed some table problems in displaying MEF, multi-extension FITS.
2020-10-31 ASTAP ß0.9.444   Fixed some menu things related to multi-extension FITS.
2020-10-31 ASTAP ß0.9.443   Modfied the viewer for multi-extension FITS. Can display images or 2D tables in the extension(s).
2020-10-29 ASTAP ß0.9.442   Added -extract option to export detected star to a csv file.
2020-10-28 ASTAP ß0.9.441   Raised detection level for CCD inspector and commandline option -analyse to SNR>=30
2020-10-26 ASTAP ß0.9.440   Development version. Improved command line -analyse option
2020-10-25 ASTAP ß0.9.439   Development version. Improved pixel math option to creating artifical star image. Stars are no longer centered at pixel center but random placed.
2020-10-24 ASTAP ß0.9.438   Optimized database file reader buffer for speed. In some cases the solver is 10% faster.
2020-10-22 ASTAP ß0.9.437   Viewer, option stretch draw to FITS. Preserve now the astrometric solution correctly. Added the latest Libraw version. DCRAW is still preferred.
2020-10-21 ASTAP ß0.9.436   Fixed an undefined variable which could result in a white viewer screen if a floating point FITS file  was loaded.
2020-10-19 ASTAP ß0.9.435   Made an other correction for the solver for FOV=auto with respect of excluding too small quads.
2020-10-19 ASTAP ß0.9.434   If the user enters manually a FOV in alignment or in the commandline, the correction is now included in excluding too small quads.
2020-10-16 ASTAP ß0.9.433   Fixed some minor things. 
2020-10-14 ASTAP ß0.9.432   Added nova & minor planet detection using the star database. Fixed some ugly fonts.
2020-10-14 ASTAP ß0.9.431   Fixed a major runtime error in stack routine introduced a few version back.
2020-10-14 ASTAP ß0.9.430
2020-10-13 ASTAP ß0.9.429   Fixed swipe behavior for Linux version only. Happened if the left mouse button is pressed while mouse is moving.
2020-10-08 ASTAP ß0.9.428   Development version. Modified mouse wheel zoom behavior in the viewer. Viewer will zoom centered at the mouse position.
2020-10-08 ASTAP ß0.9.427a   Added the standard log to stdout if executed in Linux command-line mode. 
2020-10-08 ASTAP ß0.9.427  Preventing rotation of RAW files using DCRAW by command-line -t 0. Changed stitching (mosaic) mode. Improved the standard deviation measurement at mouse cursor. Release command line versions for Windows. Log goes to stdout.  



2020-10-06 ASTAP ß0.9.426  Changed image stitching (mosaic) mode. Added font selection to fits header memo. Changed some colours.
2020-10-03 ASTAP ß0.9.425  Improved speed of the list viewer for many files.
2020-10-03 ASTAP ß0.9.424  Fixed a problem for the Mac with selecting an area. Fixed place of reported magnitude of an area. Added time stamp to blink routine.
2020-9-29 ASTAP ß0.9.423  Some more improvements in the solver.
2020-9-28 ASTAP ß0.9.422  Major overhaul solver. Fixed problem solving images of global cluster in combination with a small field of view. This was caused by a numerous global cluster center stars in the Gaia database.
2020-9-25 ASTAP ß0.9.421  Overhauled image stitching (mosaic) routine. The tiles background should be more equals now.  Fixed some messages and some other minor things.
2020-9-18 ASTAP ß0.9.420  Improved artificial flat tool.
2020-9-18 ASTAP ß0.9.419  Modified colour stacking for seperate colours. Should work better now.
2020-9-15 ASTAP ß0.9.418  Solver, improved detection of quad outliers. Changed default tolerance from 0.005 to 0.007.
2020-9-8 ASTAP ß0.9.417  Added functionality to copy only a image selection to the  clipboard.
2020-9-8 ASTAP ß0.9.416  Added angular distance measurement double stars to tools menu viewer. Improved calibration and alignment only execution flow. Large overhaul code viewer tools code. Please report any bug.
2020-9-2 ASTAP ß0.9.415  Added global clusters of M31 and M33 to deepsky database. For MAC this will be added to the star database later or use this one http://www.hnsky.org/deep_sky.zip
2020-9-1 ASTAP ß0.9.414b  Added the binning factor for calculator in pixelmath2
2020-8-30 ASTAP ß0.9.414  Modified solver such it can solve with only two quads(tetrahedrons) found.
2020-8-28 ASTAP ß0.9.413  Modified annotation text size. Fixed a problem resizing image in pixel math 2.
2020-8-22 ASTAP ß0.9.412a  Textual change. Four star asterisms are now called quads rather then tetrahedrons.
2020-8-21 ASTAP ß0.9.412  Fixed a colour stack problem if only two colours are available.
2020-8-20 ASTAP ß0.9.411  Increased solver accuracy by an extra step in the solver using all stars. It will do a second solve using the position of the first solve if the search window is more then 5% of the image height from the center. So it will use in all cases 95% or more of the  available stars of the image.
2020-8-19 ASTAP ß0.9.410  Finalised star extractor improvement giving some improvement for faint star images.
2020-8-18 ASTAP ß0.9.409  Modified star detection. Should pickup fainter stars. Testing required.
2020-8-18 ASTAP ß0.9.408  Improved viewer popup menu option image statistics.
2020-8-17 ASTAP ß0.9.407  Code optimisation.
2020-8-16 ASTAP ß0.9.406  Code optimisation: Removed 24 bit FITS code and replaced by conversion to standard 8 bit fits array.
2020-8-16 ASTAP ß0.9.405  Extended the viewer tool statistics with most common value (background) and background noise (noise below most common).
2020-8-14 ASTAP ß0.9.404  Allowed stacking of coloured FITS with darks. Fixing problem conversion to mono with demosaic preview activated.
2020-8-14 ASTAP ß0.9.403  Increased pixel accuracy for copy/paste tool.
2020-8-12 ASTAP ß0.9.402  For image list, changed deviation measurement to centre image only. This gives better result for flats and darks with amp glow.
2020-8-11 ASTAP ß0.9.401  Expanded binning menus. Allowed statistic of whole image in viewer.
2020-8-11 ASTAP ß0.9.400  Added stretch draw to FITS (viewer), added image multiply to pixel math
2020-8-10 ASTAP ß0.9.399a  Increased median measurement to full image.
2020-8-9 ASTAP ß0.9.399  Added statistics option to pop-up menu.
2020-8-5 ASTAP ß0.9.398  Added missing dark and light "standard deviation" in the list after making a master.
2020-8-1 ASTAP ß0.9.397  The Mac version is compiled with the latest trunk compiler allowing some fixes. Select all image list works and double click on Ra or DEC position.. Outstanding a smooth scroll function for min and max histogram sliders. Updated the code for black and white image detection. 
2020-7-30 ASTAP ß0.9.396  Added pointer line to the histogram. Some code optimisations. Added blink video result to the result tab.
2020-7-29 ASTAP ß0.9.395  Added a video output routine (yuv4mpeg2) to the blink tab. Fixed blinking of images requiring a Bayer demosaic.
2020-7-25 ASTAP ß0.9.394a  Fixed a problem reading FITS files from PI with a thumnail extension.
2020-7-25 ASTAP ß0.9.394  Fixed a problem in the gradient tool. Extended the equalise tool in pixel math 1. Modified "remove background colour" tool in pixel math 1.
2020-7-23 ASTAP ß0.9.393  Introduced gradient removal tool in pop-up menu viewer.
2020-7-22 ASTAP ß0.9.392  Improved comet locking for manual stacking.
2020-7-21 ASTAP ß0.9.391  Fixed reading XISF files from Nina,  added keyword ROWORDER. Modified demosaic bayer pattern setting.
2020-7-20 ASTAP ß0.9.390  Added: Allows solving read only FITS files for the Voyager program. This solves some file access problems with Voyager program.
2020-7-18 ASTAP ß0.9.389  Added the -debug option in the command line menu. Improved the calculator in pixelmath2. Some minor code optimisations.
2020-7-16 ASTAP ß0.9.388  Reinstated in viewer menu the auto correct colour menu.
2020-7-8  ASTAP ß0.9.387  Fixed a run time failure in the blink routine.
2020-7-7  ASTAP ß0.9.386  Overhauled blink routine again. Abandoned automatic asteroid detection. Fully integrated MPCORB annotation.
2020-7-6  ASTAP ß0.9.385  Fixed one pixel error in centroid RA, DEC indication.
2020-7-6  ASTAP ß0.9.384  Some small improvement for blink routine. Added sorting (on date) for blink and photometry tab.
2020-7-5  ASTAP ß0.9.383  Overhauled blink routine. Added experimental asteroid detection.
2020-7-1  ASTAP ß0.9.382  Made blind solving about 25% faster by modifying the tetrahedron routine.
2020-6-27  ASTAP ß0.9.381 Added keywords OBSLONG, OBSLAT, OBS-LONG, OBS-LAT to fits reader.
2020-6-25  ASTAP ß0.9.380 Small correction in asteroid midpoint time calculation.
2020-6-25  ASTAP ß0.9.379 Fixed a longitude calculation for asteroid annotation.
2020-6-22  ASTAP ß0.9.378 Added saving of colour saturation setting.
2020-6-20  ASTAP ß0.9.377 Fixed a runtime error in case the image has value above 65535.
2020-6-19  ASTAP ß0.9.377  Modified the de-bayer preview function. Now auto level and colour smooth are applied as set tab stack menthod.
2020-6-17  ASTAP ß0.9.376  To cope with raws converted by Libraw having black outer areas, the histogram routine ignores outer areas (few percent) of the images. Some other minor corrections. Added G18 star database installer installers.
2020-6-13  ASTAP ß0.9.375 Added special dcraw version for Linux to read metadata of camera and write it to comment section of ppm file.
2020-6-12  ASTAP ß0.9.374  raw conversion with DCRAW (for windows) modified. Now exposure, iso, date, model are read from raw file.
2020-6-11  ASTAP ß0.9.373  Redesigned histogram interface.
2020-6-9  ASTAP ß0.9.372  Reinstated DCRaw for conversion raw files. You can now select between DCRAW and Libraw.  Split the option level adjust and colour smooth for OSC images. Sigma factor for colour smooth made adjustable.
2020-6-3  ASTAP ß0.9.371  Added some monitoring options to live stacking.
2020-5-31  ASTAP ß0.9.370  Fixed problem solving near the celestial pole.
2020-5-29  ASTAP ß0.9.369  Added to viewer popup menu copy image to clipboard.
2020-5-28  ASTAP ß0.9.368  Development version. Improvement in solving. Fixed a problem solving images of the celestial pole.
2020-5-26  ASTAP ß0.9.367  Development version. Rewrote star detection routine. Should be more tolerant to unround star images.
2020-5-23  ASTAP ß0.9.366  Development version. Added warning"Star database limit reached". If this happens often, install the G18.
2020-5-22  ASTAP ß0.9.365  Made solver/stack routine less sensitive to hot pixels.
2020-5-20  ASTAP ß0.9.364  Development version which can save FITS tables. Some other small improvements.
2020-5-17  ASTAP ß0.9.363  Development version which can read FITS extensions containing tables.
2020-5-8  ASTAP ß0.9.362  Some optimisation in stacking method average. Adding the possibility to read and display FITS tables. Added option -wcs to export wcs files without carriage return.
2020-5-7  ASTAP ß0.9.361  Introduced debayer method "Simple". Removed methods super pixel and Bayer drizzle.
2020-5-6  ASTAP ß0.9.360  Fixed a problem with Libraw showing unused sensor areas.
2020-5-6  ASTAP ß0.9.359  Fixed broken DSLR support since 0.9.356
2020-5-6  ASTAP ß0.9.358  Fixed FOV calculation using XPIXSZ keyword introduced a few versions ago.
2020-5-6  ASTAP ß0.9.357  Fixed a runtime error, especially when trying to solve a jpeg file.
2020-5-5  ASTAP ß0.9.356  Introduced option "calibration and alignment only". Removed drizzle option. Added adjustable size for annotations. Changed annotations for small sizes to two lines. Some small changes. Add support for PFM files.
2020-5-2  ASTAP ß0.9.355  Fixed  major bug reading floating point FITS files introduced in version 0.9.354.
2020-5-2  ASTAP ß0.9.354  More improvements in LRGB stacking, automated range selection for AstroC debayering. Improved binning selection.
2020-4-30  ASTAP ß0.9.353  Improved LRGB stacking.
2020-4-27  ASTAP ß0.9.350  Fixed calibration prior to solving for stacking.
2020-4-27  ASTAP ß0.9.349  Fixed a major bug in colour stacking introduced in version 0.9.348.
2020-4-26  ASTAP ß0.9.348  Reintroduced local astrometry.net in batch menu solver. Improved warning messages. Add some extra checks while stacking.
ASTAP 0.9.347 not released.
2020-4-21  ASTAP ß0.9.346  Fixed rows copy from popup menu.
2020-4-20  ASTAP ß0.9.346  Fixed sigma clip method for manual and ephemeris stacking.
2020-4-18  ASTAP ß0.9.345  Fixed some minor problem in ephemeris stacking. Added the possibility to switch off the annotation.
2020-4-18  ASTAP ß0.9.344  Added a check form MPCORB.DAT and CometEls.txt.
2020-4-17  ASTAP ß0.9.343  Major change. Completed menu for emphemeris stacking. Removed astrometry.net option.
2020-4-16  ASTAP ß0.9.342  Introduced comet annotation and alignment using ephemerides. Fixed a problem in asteroid annotation. Asteroids 180 degrees on the other side of the sky where plotted in the image.
2020-4-14  ASTAP ß0.9.341  Introduced asteroid alignment using ephemerides.  Reduced the warning for minimum height below 960 pixels.  
2020-4-7  ASTAP ß0.9.340  If in the command line -fov 0 (auto) is specified, the by solving found fov will be preserved for next command line.
2020-4-3  ASTAP ß0.9.339  Fixed problem stacking raw files. Introduced copy paste tool for copying part of the image for cosmetic purpose like fixing background.
2020-4-2  ASTAP ß0.9.338  Improved pop-up menu option "measure total magnitude within rectangle".
2020-4-1  ASTAP ß0.9.337  Added extra preset settings for viewer. Modified menu of batch routine for extracting one pixel position from the Bayer mosaic files.
2020-3-28  ASTAP ß0.9.336  Improved B&W or colour detection for TIF, JPG files.
2020-3-27  ASTAP ß0.9.335  Improved star detection with respect to hotpixels. Very minor speed increase. Improved colour replacement function in tab pixel math 1.
2020-3-18  ASTAP ß0.9.334  Cosmetic fix in tab results in case your using for a 4k resolution screen.
2020-3-17  ASTAP ß0.9.333  Fixed equalise tool in tab pixel math
2020-3-15  ASTAP ß0.9.332  Fixed recent files menu for raw files. Added one extra decimal to measured magnitude in the statusbar. Improved object name retrieval from file name.
2020-3-7  ASTAP ß0.9.331  Added support for Fujifilm X-trans sensors. (6x6 Bayer pattern). Fixed a discrepancy between stacking debayer format and viewing debayer format.
2020-3-5  ASTAP ß0.9.330  Fixed batch annotation.
2020-3-3  ASTAP ß0.9.329  Fixed error reading raw. Asteroid annotation can be saved with the FITS. Batch asteroid annotation intended for blinking.
2020-2-26  ASTAP ß0.9.328  Mayor code reorganisation. Fixed esc button problem resulting in disabled menu. Fixed photometry magnitude problem introduced some time ago.
2020-2-24  ASTAP ß0.9.327  Improved selection star database in tab alignment.
2020-2-23  ASTAP ß0.9.326  Split the program and star database for the MacOS. The database with Johnson-V is now called V17. in header. Select the database in tab Alignment.
2020-2-22  ASTAP ß0.9.325  Improved text of magnitude indication for stars brighter then magn 10. Fix for negative CDELT2 values from PI solution in header.
2020-2-19  ASTAP ß0.9.323/4  Maintenance edition. Fixed batch binning. Made mean of pixelmath 2, add noise zeor. Increased zoom factor for Windows.
2020-2-15  ASTAP ß0.9.322  Significant internal reorganisation. While stacking now preserving astrometric solution of reference image.
2020-2-13  ASTAP ß0.9.321  Added some info to asteroid annotation.
2020-2-13  ASTAP ß0.9.320  Added minimum star size factor to filter out hotpixels. Improved latitude/longitude reading header.
2020-2-12  ASTAP ß0.9.319  Added asteroid annotation to viewer!
2020-2-8  ASTAP ß0.9.318a  For inspector tab removed a limit for hfd>15.
2020-2-7  ASTAP ß0.9.318  Modified the inspector code. Improved star detection code.
2020-2-2  ASTAP ß0.9.317  Improved plot speed while pulling a rectangle with the right mouse button down. Fixed major bug in stacking with astrometry.net
2020-1-28  ASTAP ß0.9.316  Improved curve fitting inspector tab.
2020-1-22  ASTAP ß0.9.315  Improved inspector tab.
2020-1-21  ASTAP ß0.9.314  Improved inspector tab. See https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/690595-what-does-percent-curvature-meanhow-is-it-calculated/page-3#entry9928932
2020-1-20  ASTAP ß0.9.313  Added inspector tab.
2020-1-19  ASTAP ß0.9.312a  Added ignore error for write .wcs file as required by some APT users.
2020-1-18  ASTAP ß0.9.312  Fixed popup notifier height indication in degrees. It was displaying the default value rather then from the FITS header data.
2020-1-18  ASTAP ß0.9.311  Fixed a major problem in the alignment tab created in version 0.9.310.
2020-1-17  ASTAP ß0.9.310  Changed reporting CCD inspector to delta HFD. Added comet centering option to manual stacking.
2020-1-4  ASTAP ß0.9.309  Minor change in sharpness value reporting.
2020-1-3  ASTAP ß0.9.308  Added sharpness value to image list. Fixed stacking of JPEG files.
2019-12-18  ASTAP ß0.9.307  Fixed a 0.9.306 problem in writing FITS files after average stacking. Fixed 8 bit file stacking.
2019-12-16  ASTAP ß0.9.306  Added automatic selection de-bayer pattern. Introduced ring equalise. Updated local equalise tool viewer.  Some minor changes.
2019-11-26  ASTAP ß0.9.305  Modified ctrl-z buffer from one step to three steps. Reorganized pixel math tab
2019-11-24  ASTAP ß0.9.304  Improved colour replace routine in pixel math1.
2019-11-23  ASTAP ß0.9.303  Fixed again OSC/mono dectection. Some cosmetic improvmenents.
2019-11-22  ASTAP ß0.9.302  Some modification in the colour replace routine
2019-11-22  ASTAP ß0.9.301  Added the colour replace routine to pixelmath, This could help to remove green light pollution from your images.
2019-11-17  ASTAP ß0.9.300  Fixed some minor things in the solver. Added colour correction to live stacking.
2019-11-15  ASTAP ß0.9.299b  Added image dimensions to pixel scale calculator. Code maintenance
2019-11-14  ASTAP ß0.9.299a  Small modification warning messages.
2019-11-13  ASTAP ß0.9.299  Added warnings and errors to solution.
2019-11-11  ASTAP ß0.9.298  Added CR3 support. For Linux you have to compile and install the very lastest libraw library. Libraw has replaced dcraw. Introduced errorlevel for commandline.  Fixed live stacking for SGP
2019-11-08  ASTAP ß0.9.297  Fixed a run time error in Linux version in stack function "untick worst images". Fixed some Hi-DPI alignment problems for 4k monitors.
2019-11-06  ASTAP ß0.9.296  Improved naming of stacked file.
2019-11-06  ASTAP ß0.9.295a  Adapted the PlateSolve2 mode for APT 3.76.1
2019-11-04  ASTAP ß0.9.295  Increased the execution speed of the arbitrary rotation. Some cosmetic changes.
2019-11-03  ASTAP ß0.9.294  Added arbitrary rotation for FITS files.
2019-11-02  Updated the star database G17 colour version. The previous version was installed in the wrong directory c:\program files\hnsky
2019-10-31  ASTAP ß0.9.293  Removed in live stacking the sub directory search, for stacking added sigma factor to option remove hot pixels.
2019-10-30  ASTAP ß0.9.292  Stacking: added an option to replace unstable hotpixels with neighbour values.
2019-10-30  ASTAP ß0.9.291  Overhauled angle reporting in PlateSolve2 mode to mimic PlateSolve2.
2019-10-28  ASTAP ß0.9.290  Live stacking, prevent an error message if a file is in use.
2019-10-27  ASTAP ß0.9.289  Linux version, fixed a command line runtime problem, fixed a compiler problem for arm64 version.
2019-10-26  ASTAP ß0.9.288  Linux version, fixed a command line runtime problem
2019-10-24  ASTAP ß0.9.287  Fixed a rare run time error problem using the deepsky database.
2019-10-24  ASTAP ß0.9.286a  Fixed a problem with the MacOS version. Saving of the FITS solution.
2019-10-23  ASTAP ß0.9.286   Added binning for stack alignment. This will help to stack reliable OSC images. Modified the TIFF export to 32 bit float. This readable by Photoshop and Gimp.
2019-10-22  Modified setting path in MacOS version v0.9.284a
2019-10-21  ASTAP ß0.9.285   Fixed a tiff file problem with live stacking.
2019-10-20  ASTAP ß0.9.284   Added RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG format to Live stacking.
2019-10-19  ASTAP ß0.9.283   Fixed some problems in Live stacking.
2019-10-19  ASTAP ß0.9.282   Fixed some problems in Live stacking.
2019-10-18  ASTAP ß0.9.281   Fixed some problems in Live stacking.
2019-10-18  ASTAP ß0.9.280   Some small corrections.
2019-10-18  ASTAP ß0.9.279   Some small changes in "live stacking"
2019-10-17  ASTAP ß0.9.278  Added "live stacking". Added memo scroll to end for Linux.


2019-10-16  ASTAP ß0.9.277  Added camera gain to the listview. Added fits header keyword values of AMB-TEMP and TAMBIENT  to FocTemp in list to stack.
2019-10-12  ASTAP ß0.9.276a  Removed a beep sound which was left after testing.
2019-10-10  ASTAP ß0.9.276  Added the command line option -analyse
2019-10-01  ASTAP ß0.9.275  Fixed a double menu shortcut. Improved automatic detection OSC raw images.
2019-09-30  ASTAP ß0.9.274  Added auto mode for FOV.
2019-09-30  ASTAP ß0.9.273a  Prevent run time failure when trying to de-mosaic a fully saturated image.
2019-09-29,  ASTAP ß0.9.273  Overhauled Mosaic routine for smoother borders. Added 180 degrees swap of FITS data.
2019-09-27,  ASTAP ß0.9.272  Commandline has now priority above fits header. Fixed image sticking option. Removed some additional platesolve2 menus.
2019-09-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.271  Moved messages from window.caption to statusbar. Annotations will be saved in the FITS header under key "annotate="
2019-09-24,  ASTAP ß0.9.270  Set default downsampling to zero (automatic). Limited the database field internally to 10 degrees. Added support for readout of third-order polynomial SIP ( Simple Imaging Polynomial) calibration.
2019-09-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.269  Added -log option to the command line. Added to viewer menu the option "inverse image".
2019-09-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.268  Fixed a window popup after failure to solve.

The ASTAP versions 0.9.264 / 0.9.265/ 0.9.266 / 0.9.267 are effected by a command-line mode bug. If used in the commandline mode and the solving fails an ASTAP window will open and wait for user input. It doesn't happen if ASTAP is used as a PlateSolve2 substitute. So only NINA and CCDCiel program users are effected.

These versions where available for download between 2019-9-17 and 2019-9-20. If you have one of these versions, please upgrade to version 0.9.268

2019-09-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.267  Fixed a brief window popup after command line solving.
2019-09-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.266a  Some changes in font size, mainly for Linux.
2019-09-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.266  Introduced 90 degree rotation for the viewer.
2019-09-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.265  Introduced automatic selection down sampling {=0}
2019-09-17,  ASTAP ß0.9.264  Improved shutdown process when called from other program
2019-09-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.263  
2019-09-15,  ASTAP ß0.9.262  Added drop file(s) functionality.
2019-09-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.261  Added an option to calibrate an image prior to solving. This intended for uncooled and therefore noisy cameras.
2019-09-11,  ASTAP ß0.9.260  Improved SNR calculation and therefore solving of star rich images.
2019-09-10,  ASTAP ß0.9.259  Added manual solving by entering two stars positions. Rewrote math of annotation.
2019-09-8, Minot tweak in the star databases.
2019-09-6,  ASTAP ß0.9.258a  Cosmetic menu changes.
2019-09-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.258  Blink routine, clears default the edges, fixed the star suppression problem, added a black spot filter for button "export aligned".
2019-09-3, released i386 and arm64 (aarch64) versions.
2019-08-31,  ASTAP ß0.9.257a  Minor functionality changes for button "export aligned".
2019-08-30,  ASTAP ß0.9.257  Added automatic scroll function for tab images. Added "export aligned" button to blink tab. Added at image tab extra column "star-level" to detect poor images. Poor sky transparency will give a lower value.
2019-08-29,  Added named bright stars to the deepsky database.
2019-08-28,  ASTAP ß0.9.256  Fixed a galaxy orientation problem in the annotation routine.
2019-08-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.255  Removed restrictions on FOV. Fields of 10 or 20 degrees are allowed. Added -o commandline option for MacOS, Others will follow.
2019-08-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.254  For APT calls adapt PlateSolve2 behaviour to v2.28. Decimal separator follows Windows setting.
2019-08-17,  ASTAP ß0.9.253  Fixed a star annotation problem in the 32 bit version.
2019-08-15,  ASTAP ß0.9.253  Fixed a minor solver problem around RA=0.
2019-08-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.252  Several small cosmetic changes and corrections.

2019-08-10,  ASTAP ß0.9.251  Mayor work-over astrometric solver. Increased solving reliability at star database boundaries.

2019-08-6,  ASTAP ß0.9.250  Added 16, 14 and 12 bit DSLR cameras options for deBayer method AstroC.  
2019-08-5,  ASTAP ß0.9.249  Fixed a problem for Bias files, conversion raw to FITS.
2019-08-5,  ASTAP ß0.9.248  Fixed a problem importing TIFF files with comments.
2019-08-5,  ASTAP ß0.9.247a  Added in the colour smooth routine an automatic green correction to prevent purple stars
2019-08-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.247  Modified colour smooth routine OSC images.
2019-08-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.246  Adding automatically the user name to the path of the remote Astrometry.net
2019-08-2,  ASTAP ß0.9.245  Fixed menu colour for other themes.
2019-08-2,  ASTAP ß0.9.244  Added possibility to load settings. Modified directory of astap.cdg. For Windows moved to C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\astap.  For Linux move to /home/username/.config/astap  Added .nef extension.
2019-07-28,  ASTAP ß0.9.243  Avoiding reporting negative angles in PlateSolve2 mode. SGP seems to interpretate negative angles wrongly.
2019-07-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.242  Fixed major bug colour correction if oversize was selected.
2019-07-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.241  Fixed major bug in sigma clip stacking. Limited star annotation in crowded areas.
2019-06-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.240  Improved viewer pop-up routine adding labels. Fixed the viewer browse problem in Linux.
2019-06-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.239  Added to the viewer pop-up menu a new tool to measure the magnitude of extended deep sky objects.  See astap.htm#viewer_popup
2019-06-13,  ASTAP ß0.9.238  Minor improvements photometry tab.
2019-06-11,  ASTAP ß0.9.237a  Fixed a runtime failure in photometry
2019-06-11,  ASTAP ß0.9.237   Improved photometry menu tab
2019-06-10,  ASTAP ß0.9.236   Improved the batch option  in the viewer tools menu.
2019-06-9,   ASTAP ß0.9.235   Improvements photometry tab
2019-06-8,   ASTAP ß0.9.233/4   Program stacks now correctly images of different exposure. Fixed some small things in photometry tab. Fixed some run time problems in Photometry.  Fixed tools  option bin 2x2.
2019-06-7,   ASTAP ß0.9.232   Fixed the command line solver for Raspberry Pi
2019-06-6,   ASTAP ß0.9.231   Added variable star annotation. Fixed some problems in astrometric stacking if input files don't contains an initial position.
2019-06-4,   ASTAP ß0.9.230   Added the file date of raw files to photometry.
2019-06-4,   ASTAP ß0.9.229   Fixed some other problems in colour stacking.
2019-06-4,   ASTAP ß0.9.228   Fixed an other major bug in the stacking routine. One problem in colour stacking outstanding.
2019-06-3,   ASTAP ß0.9.227   Fixed an bug in colour stack mode.
2019-06-3,   ASTAP ß0.9.226   Mayor code rework. Made two seperate tabs for blink and photometry. Fixes a major problem using astrometric alignment for stacking.
2019-06-2,   ASTAP ß0.9.225   Improved ra, dec marker.
2019-06-1,   ASTAP ß0.9.224   Improved magnitude measurement using statistics. Measuring exoplanets transits is now possible:


2019-05-30, ASTAP ß0.9.223   Improved messaging blink routine. Removed markers saturated stars.
2019-05-29, ASTAP ß0.9.222c  Upgraded the analyse button for the blink & photometry tab. Several other code improvements. 
2019-05-28, ASTAP ß0.9.221   Added Julian day to Blink list. Improved some other things.
2019-05-28, ASTAP ß0.9.219-220   Fixed some problems in the new blink routine.
2019-05-27, ASTAP ß0.9.218   Significant update blink routine. It is now possible to measure a magnitude trend of a variable star. See option find variable stars.
2019-05-24, ASTAP ß0.9.217   Improved FITS header of stacked images. DATE-OBS is now indicating the start time of the exposure.
2019-05-23, ASTAP ß0.9.216   Added a possibility to add the rounded Julian day to keyword OBJECT.  This allows grouping of a large series based on time.
2019-05-18, ASTAP ß0.9.215   Fixed some minor things.
2019-05-15, ASTAP ß0.9.214   Fixed some FITS compatibility problems.
2019-05-14, ASTAP ß0.9.213   Added HFD plot to CCD inspector.
2019-05-10, ASTAP ß0.9.212   Modified astrometric solver routine. For images with low star count, the database search window is oversized rather then making small steps. Should work a little more reliable and faster for short exposure images.
2019-05-08, ASTAP ß0.9.211   Fixed font used in HyperLeda annotation to 8.
2019-05-07, ASTAP ß0.9.210   Fixed an error if no darks are available. Added compression to TIFF files.
2019-05-05, ASTAP ß0.9.209   One instance only. If the program is associated with FITS image files or any format, it will show only one instance of ASTAP. After clicking on the second image it will be show in the first instance of ASTAP. If you want to open a second instance, just start ASTAP. If the program is started without parameters, you can open more instances.
2019-04-30, ASTAP ß0.9.208  Added HyperLeda annotation to the tools menu.
2019-04-27, ASTAP ß0.9.207  Removed dark filter. Without the resulting stacked image noise is lower due to DSNU (dark signal non-uniformity).
2019-04-26, ASTAP ß0.9.206  Fixed blue pixels for monochrome images. Increased speed file of subtraction in pixel math.
2019-04-23, ASTAP ß0.9.205  Moved saturation slider to viewer. 
2019-04-21, ASTAP ß0.9.204  Modified smart colour smooth filter and some other items
2019-04-18, ASTAP ß0.9.203  Added saturation adjustment in pixel math. Renamed "bright star colour filter" to "smart colour filter". Replaced smooth filter for LRGB by "smart colour filter."
2019-04-17, ASTAP ß0.9.202  Cosmetic improvements only.
2019-04-15, ASTAP ß0.9.201  Fixed a major bug in the alternative background calculation for astrometric solving.
2019-04-14, ASTAP ß0.9.200  Improved the execution speed a little.
2019-04-14, ASTAP ß0.9.199  Big improvement in AstroC demosaic method. Move demosaic preview option to pull down menu viewer.
2019-04-11, ASTAP ß0.9.198  Added keywords cwhite, cblack to header. Some internal cleanup.
2019-04-6, ASTAP ß0.9.197  Fixed a problem with applying dark and flats when selecting multiple images series. Prevent deepsky annotation overlap.
2019-04-4, ASTAP ß0.9.196  Added the possibility to add the object position using the deepsky database. Double click on RA position in viewer. Intended forJPG, PNG files as start point for solver.  Fixed several other small things.

2019-03-31, ASTAP ß0.9.195 Improve "Bright star smoother"for saturated stars OSC images. See pixe math. Apply this after OSC stacking and F9 (colour adust)
2019-03-28, ASTAP ß0.9.194 Modified PlateSolve2 behavior. If you select in SGP the PlateSolve2 setting "Max Regions" (=3000) this will force a search up to 90 degrees diameter. However the solver will be most likely stopped halfway by a SGP timeout. Improved DEC format in popupnotifier.
2019-03-26, ASTAP ß0.9.193 Adapted stacking for images with background above 32000.
2019-03-24, ASTAP ß0.9.192 Modified stacking routine. Image background will be brought to the same level (1000) prior to stacking.
                                               Modified native command line. Change -dec to -spd (south pole distance). Command line doesn't allows negative values.
2019-03-23, ASTAP ß0.9.191 Added a pop-up notifier for command line only.
2019-03-21, ASTAP ß0.9.190 Added gradient tool to pixel math. Fixed a problem with drizzle.
2019-03-16, ASTAP ß0.9.189 Fixed quality filter. Repeated analyse has no influence.
2019-03-16, ASTAP ß0.9.188 Added percentage to filter out worst images. Removed a solution check from blinking which caused problems.
2019-03-12, ASTAP ß0.9.187 Forcing delete of old solutions of new files in the browser to blink.
2019-03-7, ASTAP ß0.9.186 Fixed a failure reporting parameter in the PlateSolve2 report output.
2019-03-7, ASTAP ß0.9.185 Reduced search field using Platesolve2 commandline with factor 2.
2019-03-4, ASTAP ß0.9.184 Fixed a format problem with strings in FITS header.
2019-03-4, ASTAP ß0.9.183 Added a noise removal routine. Some minor adjustments.
2019-03-1, ASTAP ß0.9.182 Improved astroC demosaic method. Prevented clamping if  colours are adjusted.
2019-02-27, ASTAP ß0.9.181 Improved bayer drizzle demosaic routine, fixed a problem in AstroM demosaic routine, added local monochrome and gaussian blur in mouse pop-up. Local monochrome is to fix colour problems in bright stars.
2019-02-22, ASTAP ß0.9.180 Allowed reading FITS keywords with string values other then start position 11.
2019-02-20, ASTAP ß0.9.179 Fixed a problem with saving solved jpeg/png/tiff files using Astrometry.net
2019-02-20, ASTAP ß0.9.178a Compiled for Hi-DPI, 4k monitors
2019-02-18, ASTAP ß0.9.178 Allow stacking of JPEG, TIFF files. For command line use of solver, FOV of fits file keys overrules specified FOV.
2019-02-17, ASTAP ß0.9.177 Fixed 16 bit monochrome PNG export. Added help for statistical filtering.
2019-02-16, ASTAP ß0.9.176 Added statistical filtering images. Added 16 bit PNG support.
2019-02-10, ASTAP ß0.9.175 Increased the speed by suppressing update memo in viewer while handling files. Changed some default settings.
2019-02-09, ASTAP ß0.9.174 Added background and noise level to darks en flats file list. Added 4x4mean for flats. Added "reset to default settings" menu option.
2019-02-08, ASTAP ß0.9.173 Added Bayer-drizzle demosaic routine. Fixed XISF reader for files with larger header.
2019-02-07, ASTAP ß0.9.172 Fixed a runtime error bug using astrometric alignment and flats or darks.
2019-02-06, ASTAP ß0.9.171 FIXED MAJOR BUG. FLATS WHERE NOT USED CORRECTLY IN THE LAST VERSIONS.  Added AstroC demosaic routine for better saturated star color. Will work on a Bayer Drizzle demosaic routine in next version.
2019-02-05, ASTAP ß0.9.170 Fixed a run time failure in the OSC colour stack routine.
2019-02-05, ASTAP ß0.9.169 Improved remove deepsky routine. Added at pixel math an option to apply a flat (colour or mono) manually.
2019-02-04, ASTAP ß0.9.168 Added a routine to fix colouring of saturated stars.
2019-01-24, ASTAP ß0.9.167 Improved XISF reader. Modified create FITS header  routine.
2019-01-24, ASTAP ß0.9.166 Adding copy image list information to clipboard. This allows export of FITS file keyword data such as HFD, temperatures, altitude, focuser position to a spreadsheet for analysis.
2019-01-22, ASTAP ß0.9.165 Extensive code optimisation. Added some extra messages for colour stacking. Added 64 bit float XISF import. Fixed FITS generation for PlateSolve2 substitute use.
2019-01-18, ASTAP ß0.9.164 Added possibility to read uncompressed XISF files.
2019-01-16, ASTAP ß0.9.163 Fixed/improved artifical flat-correction tool. Reorganised pixel math menu's.
2019-01-15, ASTAP ß0.9.162 Adapted the (star) saturation detection to the dark subtracted.
2019-01-15, ASTAP ß0.9.161 For manual alignment, changed behaviour for locking on objects.
2019-01-14, ASTAP ß0.9.160 Improved interface/handling of marked objects for manual alignment. So the object selection stays at the same place when you swipe/zoom.
2019-01-13, ASTAP ß0.9.159 Fixed a problem with manual stacking for seperate R, G, B files.
2019-01-11, ASTAP ß0.9.158  Added a check in the manual stacking to test if all images have a reference object selected.
2019-01-11, ASTAP ß0.9.157  Added auto for +x- tool in pixel math. Added preserve routine for saturated stars. Added demosaic method astro-bilinear-interpolation
2019-01-09, ASTAP ß0.9.155/6  Modified histogram and stack routine for colour due to some problems.
2019-01-08, ASTAP ß0.9.154  Fixed some colour problems, added background colour removal tool in pixel math.
2019-01-05, ASTAP ß0.9.153  Fixed some things for OSC images. Made some minor modifications in manual alignment interface. Added color smoothing filter in pixel math
2019-01-01, ASTAP ß0.9.152  Fixed new demosaic method for stacking. Was not selectected
2018-12-29, ASTAP ß0.9.151 Added de-mosaic method based on "HIGH-QUALITY LINEAR INTERPOLATION FOR DEMOSAICING OF BAYER-PATTERNED COLOR IMAGESHenrique S. Malvar, Li-wei He, and Ross Cutler"
2018-12-29, ASTAP ß0.9.150 Fixed some bugs for OSC images.
2018-12-27, ASTAP ß0.9.149 Improved code at many places. JPEG, PNG formats are now beter integrated. Improved solver.
2018-12-27, ASTAP ß0.9.148 Modfied space bar refresh. Was influencing typing image center position.
2018-12-21, ASTAP ß0.9.147 Added distortion tool. Several other small corrections.
2018-12-14, ASTAP ß0.9.146 Fixed live distance calculation.
2018-12-13, ASTAP ß0.9.145 Fixed solving JPEG images.
2018-12-09, ASTAP ß0.9.144 Released MacOS version with correct color and DCRAW integrated.
2018-12-08, ASTAP ß0.9.144 More menu improvements.
2018-12-07, ASTAP ß0.9.143 Some menu improvements.
2018-12-05, ASTAP ß0.9.142 Added the possibility to force the star database used.
2018-12-04, ASTAP ß0.9.141 Added importing PFM format (32 bit float export from Photoshop). Fixed a problem in PPM/PGM reading.
2018-12-04, ASTAP ß0.9.140 Mayor overhaul in stretching routine. Colour preserving stretching introduced. Faint stars and nebula keep now their colour. 
2018-11-27, ASTAP ß0.9.139 Small changes, introduced artificial colouring function in pixel math.
2018-11-25, ASTAP ß0.9.138 Adapted solving for very large fields. Introduced cropping and "forge small search steps" for this.
2018-10-30, ASTAP ß0.9.137 Cosmetic changes.
2018-10-29, ASTAP ß0.9.136 Fixed some problems with file selection.
2018-10-29, ASTAP ß0.9.135 Fixed some problems with RAW files.
2018-10-29, ASTAP ß0.9.134 Allowing stacking of DSLR RAW files directly.
2018-10-27, ASTAP ß0.9.133 Improved help file and link.
2018-10-26, ASTAP ß0.9.132 Improved dark images handling for sensors with amp-glow.
2018-10-24, ASTAP ß0.9.131 Image dimensions in degrees is now also indicated after solving.
2018-10-22, ASTAP ß0.9.130  Some minor menu corrections
2018-10-20, ASTAP ß0.9.129  Raspberry PI 3 version
2018-10-19, ASTAP ß0.9.129  macOS version
2018-10-11, ASTAP ß0.9.128, Improved equalising background for image stitching mode (mosaic). Fixed some small bugs.
2018-10-10, ASTAP ß0.9.127, Fixed PlateSolve2 command line for use with SGP or APT and DSLR cameras. Start position was only taken from FITs header not command line. Added log file called "documents\astap_log.txt" for PlateSolve2 commands only.
2018-10-8, ASTAP ß0.9.126, Overhauled the image stitching routine (mosaic). Better adaption to different tiles. Overhauled vertical/horizontal swap routine to fix one image line
2018-10-5, ASTAP ß0.9.125, Overhauled stack history in FITS header. Now full stacking history available in FITS header
2018-10-4, ASTAP ß0.9.124, Stacking speed at least four times faster!
2018-10-2, ASTAP ß0.9.123, Made dark spot filter permanent active. Improved the dark spot filter.
2018-10-1, ASTAP ß0.9.121/122, fixed a problem combining colours with one rotated.
2018-10-1, ASTAP ß0.9.120, added the possibility to add a pedestal value to the final stack result to prevent negative values.
2018-9-29, ASTAP ß0.9.119, Fixed a tiny error (1,5 pixels) for center position calculated by the solver.
2018-9-28, ASTAP ß0.9.118b, Gained 1% astrometric solving speed by stripping some code in star database read routine. Note that the 32 bit version performance 66% slower in a 64 bit system. So download the 64 bit version if your system is 64 bit.
2018-9-27, ASTAP ß0.9.118, Fixed a bug in reading star database for finding astrometric solution, slower speed but increased reliability.
2018-9-25, ASTAP ß0.9.117a, PlateSolve2 mode, program waits with closing till apm file is existing on disk.
2018-9-25, ASTAP ß0.9.117, Optimized magnitude control loop. Solving about twice as fast.
2018-9-25, ASTAP ß0.9.116, Optimized star detecting algorithm using images from Astrometry.net upload.
2018-9-24, ASTAP ß0.9.115, Added the -s and -t command line option. Added some checks for file handling. Writes and additional .ini file in PlateSolve2 command line mode for debugging.
2018-9-21, ASTAP ß0.9.114, Perfected search pattern in the sky removing any duplication.
2018-9-20, ASTAP ß0.9.113, Bug fix edition. Achieving blind solve of a 50 seconds exposure with an offset of 180 degrees distance in 380 seconds!
2018-9-19, ASTAP ß0.9.112, Adapted -32 bit fits reader to 0..1 scale.
2018-9-19, ASTAP ß0.9.111, Relaxed on double star detection. Some minor fixed and added some hints.
2018-9-16, ASTAP ß0.9.110, Fixed a slow down by star detection.
2018-9-16, ASTAP ß0.9.109, Fixed some other problems.
2018-9-16, ASTAP ß0.9.107, Fixed binning.
2018-9-16, ASTAP ß0.9.106, Mayor overhaul in solving engine. Introduced down sampling/binning. Numerous small improvements.
2018-9-12, ASTAP ß0.9.105, Increased accuracy of angle reported by the internal solver. Fixed bug in saving 16 bit images for values above 32k. Added caret indication for fits header. Many small improvements.
2018-9-7,  ASTAP ß0.9.104, added test image generation in pixel math. 
2018-9-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.103, added a warning for the case that a restore hot-pixels is used and too many pixels are restored. This could happen for cameras with amp-glow.
2018-9-1,  ASTAP ß0.9.102, some cosmetic improvements.
2018-8-29,  ASTAP ß0.9.101, improved file naming.
2018-8-29,  ASTAP ß0.9.100, code optimisation.
2018-8-29,  ASTAP ß0.9.99, Added two new filters for LRGB color images. The 3x3mean and 2x2mean. The 3x3mean works wel.
2018-8-28,  ASTAP ß0.9.98, Fixed some things in astrometric stacking.
2018-8-27,  ASTAP ß0.9.97, For Windows moved astap.cfg from documents folder to to \user\username Fixed a problem plate solving twice.
2018-8-24,  ASTAP ß0.9.96, Fixed FWHM calculation. Improved HFD calculation for faint stars.
2018-8-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.95, Viewer improvements. Preserving now the plate solving in case the image is cropped. Memo containing the FITS header is now updated instantly in case image is cropped or made mono.  Ctrl-Z is also restoring the FITS header.
2018-8-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.94, Added colour annotation of stars if G16 star database is present. Remove G17.
2018-8-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.93, Added experimental photometry option to the viewer. After plate solving, select calibration photometry in the viewer tools menu. This will allow magnitude measurement of the stars.  The magnitude values is displayed in the status bar. The G17 database will give BP magnitudes for unfiltered mono CCD's.  If replaced by the G16 and a Johnson-V filter is used it will give Johnson-V  values.  Works for mono/red  channel only.
2018-8-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.92a, Minor text and hint updates.
2018-8-13,  ASTAP ß0.9.92,   New blink routine. New alignment option to calibrate images only. Some minor menu improvements.
2018-8-05,  ASTAP ß0.9.91,   Some minor menu improvements.
2018-7-31,  ASTAP ß0.9.90,   Added some functions to pop-up menu of the thumbnails viewer.
2018-7-30,  ASTAP ß0.9.89,   Added thumbnails option for viewer.
2018-7-27,  ASTAP ß0.9.88a,   Fixed some text labels in the Linux version.
2018-7-27,  ASTAP ß0.9.88,   Minor correction in the menus. 
2018-7-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.87,   Added a preview button. Preserve filterindex of the openfile and savefile dialogs
2018-7-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.86,   Added new remove borders tool (see pop-up menu)
2018-7-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.85,   Fixed a fatal problem in sigma clip stacking.
2018-7-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.84,   Fixed a run-time problem with de-mosaic Bayer. Introduced manual alignment.
2018-7-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.83,   Added super-pixel option for demosaic RAW OSC images.
2018-7-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.82,   Added split function for RAW Bayer array images. This will split them into seperate R,G,G, B files.
2018-7-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.81,   Fixed conversion routine for digital cameras using DCRAW.

2018-7-13,  ASTAP ß0.9.80,  Mayor update. All darks, flats and bias will automatic processed into masters. Activate classify by dark temperature, exposure and flat field filter.
Secondly added color matrix.



                                           
2018-7-6,  ASTAP ß0.9.79,  Added log file which will be written after stacking.
2018-7-6,  ASTAP ß0.9.78,  Fixed a FITS write problems. Improved counting darks, flats and flat-darks
2018-7-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.77,  Added export to 16 bit PGM and PPM format. Several small improvements.
2018-7-3,  ASTAP ß0.9.76,  Added PGM and PPM format. Added DCRAW program by David Coffin for conversion of many camera files.
2018-7-2,  ASTAP ß0.9.75,  Modified & improved LRGB stacking method. Stars are removed from the RGB stack using the most common filter. Then a Gaussian blur is applied with the same factor to remove any square artifacts if any. Fixed a severe problem with uppercase .FIT extension. Added image to FITS conversion tool. Fixed a color stacking problem introduced a week ago.
2018-6-30,  ASTAP ß0.9.74,  Improved mosaic mode. Some menu improvements.
2018-6-29,  ASTAP ß0.9.72,  Improved mosaic mode. Some menu improvements.
2018-6-28,  ASTAP ß0.9.71,  Fixed background routine. Change introduced in v0.9.68 didn't work.
2018-6-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.69,  Added star annotation. See tool pulldown menu.
2018-6-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.68,  Fixed missing colour for LRGB stacking.
2018-6-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.67,  Fixed problem applying oversize twice.
2018-6-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.66,  Improved mosaic mode. Introduced drizzle.
2018-6-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.65,  Fixed some menu problems for stacking, improved RA, DEC indication, added shutdown after completion option.
2018-5-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.64,  Fixed annotation for flipped images (newton style telescopes), and detection missing star database.
2018-5-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.62,  Adaption to High-DPI systems
2018-5-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.61,  Fixed a problem with viewer data range settings
2018-5-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.60,  Added annotation to command line
2018-5-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.59,  Introduced deep sky annotation under pull-down menu tools.




2018-5-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.58,  Some improvement for stacking.
2018-5-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.57,  Fixed a bug for mono imigaes introduced in version 0.9.56
2018-5-17,  ASTAP ß0.9.56,  Fixed Maxim DL file compatibility
2018-5-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.55,  Fixed some problems for color image stacking.
2018-5-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.54,  Stack menu improvements.
2018-5-13,  ASTAP ß0.9.53,  Introduced dark spot filter for CMOS stacked images.
2018-5-13,  ASTAP ß0.9.52,  Fixed scroll bars stack menu.
2018-5-12,  ASTAP ß0.9.51,  Added the FITS preview option to the file open dialog. See below. Fixed standard deviation indication. Fixed gamma setting when loading an image.


2018-5-11,  ASTAP ß0.9.50,  Fixed a problem in the command line in version 0.9.49
2018-5-11,  ASTAP ß0.9.49,  Fixed several small items for stacking.
2018-5-8,  ASTAP ß0.9.48,  Adapted for the new Gaia DR2 database. It will work with U16, G17 or G18 database.
2018-5-6,  ASTAP ß0.9.47,  Introduced  the local equalising command to remove dark areas in stacked images. See pop-up menu. Fixed some small things. Program reads now focal length and pixel size from Maxim DL files,
2018-5-3,  ASTAP ß0.9.46,  Changed back the previous setup v0.9.44 for filename as paramstr(1)
2018-5-3,  ASTAP ß0.9.45,  Fixed the Platesolve2 command line.
2018-4-30,  ASTAP ß0.9.44,  Several small improvements.
2018-4-28,  ASTAP ß0.9.43,  Plate solve improvements for images going very deep. So speed improvements plate solving. v0.9.41 and 0.9,42 have a bug for large amount of stars.
2018-4-27,  ASTAP ß0.9.40,  Many small improvement. Improved reliability. Introduced overlap based on the number of pyramids in the image.
2018-4-26,  ASTAP ß0.9.39,  Small improvements in plate solving . Added a check on number of stars and pyramids in image.
2018-4-25,  ASTAP ß0.9.38,  Small improvements in plate solving. Automatic diameter selection
2018-4-24,  ASTAP ß0.9.37a,  Build the new command line interface for accessing the plate solver. See command line options
2018-4-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.36,  Improved speed conversion PNG, JPG, TIF to FITS.
2018-4-22,  ASTAP ß0.9.35,  Modified PlateSolve2 simulation.
2018-4-21,  ASTAP ß0.9.34,  Removed PlateSolve2 dependency. Rename the program to PlateSolve2.exe will work using the internal solver.  So full replacement for PlateSolve2.  For a 30 degrees offset if will find a solution after 4 minutes or earlier.
2018-4-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.33,  Fixed some detections levels for plate solving.
2018-4-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.32,  Added adjustable minimum number of pyramids required. Typical value for stacking 6 and just plate solving 3.
2018-4-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.31,  Fixed application path to the U16 files.
2018-4-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.30,  Added internal plate solver.
2018-4-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.29,  Improved alignment.
2018-4-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.28,  Improved alignment. Checking for outliers. Scaling factor no longer required.
2018-4-12,  ASTAP ß0.9.27,  Improved log in FITS header. Fixed some bugs. 
2018-4-12,  ASTAP ß0.9.26a,  Added some image info to the status bar. Introduced Windows installer. 
2018-4-10,  ASTAP ß0.9.26,  Automatic sorting of lights, dark and flats. Pop-up menu has option to update keywords of multiple files. Free sizing of FITS files and noise generator in pixel math. 
2018-4-9,  ASTAP ß0.9.25a, Allowing filtering on exposure & temperature for darks and filter for flats.
2018-4-8,  ASTAP ß0.9.24, Allowing images of different astronomical scale. Intended for combining RGB of a lower resolution with Luminance images, e.g. H-alpha. Several other improvements
2018-4-5,  ASTAP ß0.9.23c, Allowing file name as parameter with spaces. So you set ASTAP as default viewer for FITS, PNG, TIFF, JPG. Improved reporting in FITS header.
2018-4-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.23a, Introduced results page. Fixed image counting. Added image dimensions to the list. Fixed an icon
2018-4-3,  ASTAP ß0.9.22, Several improvements. Allowing combing colour images with H-alpha.
2018-4-2,  ASTAP ß0.9.20, Fixed Gaussian blur in LRGB stacking. Fixed runtime error in saving flats and flat darks. Fixed sigma clip stacking for LRGB.
2018-4-2,  ASTAP ß0.9.18a, Fixed 16 bit saving.
2018-4-1,  ASTAP ß0.9.18, Fixed regional settings. Ignore space character object name aand filter name. Fixed RGB+L stacking.
2018-3-31,  ASTAP ß0.9.17, Several fixes LRGB stacking. Fixed color model LRGB stacking.
2018-3-30,  ASTAP ß0.9.13b  Big overhaul in stack menu. Now you can stack several objects in one run. RGB and LRGB stacking is also possible.  Files in listview menu can be selective removed, added or stacked. Program uses now images with lowest HFD as reference.
2018-3-23,  ASTAP ß0.9.12  Overhauled star detection and image inspector. Improved menu of image equalising.
2018-3-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.11 Overhauled alignment menu and manual. Introduced on-line help.
2018-3-17,  ASTAP ß0.9.10c Overhauled the PlateSolve2.exe simulation. (rename astap.exe to PlateSolve2.exe Very fast now and FITS images are reduced to window size for displaying in HNSKY.  Some minor corrections.
2018-3-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.9a Fixed a PNG and JPEG display problem for Nvidia graphic cards.
2018-3-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.9 New internal star alignment! No need for plate solver !
2018-3-4,  ASTAP ß0.9.7 Fixed Platesolve2 simulation. (Rename astap.exe to platesolve2.exe)
2018-2-20,  ASTAP ß0.9.5 Small improvements.
2018-2-19,  ASTAP ß0.9.4 Several small improvements, oval shape selection area for removal deepsky.
2018-2-18,  ASTAP ß0.9.2, 0.9.3 Several small improvements
2018-2-16,  ASTAP ß0.9.1,  Added tilt measurement to CCD inspector, Added background equalization tool under pixel math.
2018-2-14,  ASTAP ß0.9.0,  Improved vieuwer low, medium, high settings. Fixed deleting files of astromentry.net.
2018-1-15,  ASTAP ß0.4.4,  Added multi selection in image list.
2017-12-17,  ASTAP ß0.4.3,  Improvement in CCD inspector and image analyser.
2017-12-16,  ASTAP ß0.4.2,  Added CCD inspector. Fixed image analyser problem.
2017-12-16,  ASTAP ß0.4.1,  Added access to Astrometry.net running in a Win10 Linux subsystem.
2017-12-12,  ASTAP ß0.4.0b,  Fixed long commands for astrometry.net
2017-12-12,  ASTAP ß0.4.0a,  Added some error messages for local astrometry.net. Improved live reporting astrometry.net
2017-12-12,  ASTAP ß0.4.0,   First release Linux version, Several improvements.
2017-11-30,  ASTAP ß0.3.0,  Several improvements.
2017-11-30,  ASTAP ß0.2.2,  Several improvements, introduced median-equalise filter.
2017-11-29,  ASTAP ß0.2.0,  Several improvements.
2017-11-24,  ASTAP ß0.1.5,  Added mosaic equalise background mode.
2017-11-23,  ASTAP ß0.1.4,  Added sort possibility to image list. You can sort on HFD or any other column.
2017-11-22,  ASTAP ß0.1.3,   Stacked files are now marked as ......stacked.fit and ignored if tried to stack again. Adapted tiff 32 bit export to full range. Moved naxis3 up to position 5 in the keywords. Finding solution  is now done at the beginning of  stacking (if header is not used}
2017-11-21,  ASTAP ß0.1.1a  Fixed some minor things. Simplied pixel size for astrometry.net solver.
2017-11-20,  ASTAP ß0.1.1  Many small improvements. CMD console is now monitored and if closed action is taken.
2017-11-19,  ASTAP ß0.1.0  Added SIP (Simple Imaging Polynomial)  support, Write FITS files as multiple of 2880 bytes. Fixed several small things.
2017-11-17,  ASTAP ß0.0.9a  Fixed color conversion using astrometry.net,  added the header from first FITS to stacked image. Log follows resizing of stack menu. Improved Windows interface,. Adaption to PixInSight -32 bit files.
2017-11-16,  ASTAP ß0.0.8  Fixed some problems including using PlateSolve2.
2017-11-15,  ASTAP ß0.0.7a  Fixed Digital development Process for color and some small improvements.
2017-11-13,  ASTAP ß0.0.7  Improved viewer menu and performance. Improved export routine including streched TIFF files and variable JPEG compression. Select the correct file in file dialog.
2017-11-12,  ASTAP ß0.0.5  New dark filter.
2017-11-11,  ASTAP ß0.0.4  Added a FITS crop function using the right mouse button.
2017-11-10,  ASTAP ß0.0.3  Fixed a dark subtraction problem in mode average.
2017-11-10,  ASTAP ß0.0.2  New name ASTAP. Added digital development and several other improvements.
2017-11-8,  ASTAP ß0.0.1  Added Astrometry.net local and several improvements.
2017-11-5,  ASTAP ß0.0.0e  Fixed regional decimal seperator problem.