kombat-lt

KOMBAT live tracker is based on the KOMBAT algorithm, formerly integrated in Siril 1.2. It is here used to track a pattern (eg. planetary surface), and to propose an automatic guiding through KStars control handset.

Why?

I wrote this program because I use KStars for DSO astrophotography, especially because of its specific features (support of focuser, astrometry alignment, etc.) but I prefer FireCapture when I switch to planetary sessions. And when I use its internal guiding, it seems to conflict which Ekos and the tracking stops. A cloudy weekend made my mind, and I implemented this little tool.

Installation

$ pip install -r requirements
$ ./kombat-lt.py # can be ran

Usage

My routine:

• Run KStars, set up aligment and focusing, select target,
• Open the Mount Control,
• Start a terminal and minimize it (eg. so that only 3 lines are visible),
• Run FireCapture and adjust settings (gain, etc.),
• For a more accurate guiding, use the 100% view,
• Adjust speed ratio of KStars' control to adjust moves to corrections,
• Identify a target zone that could be used for tracking (not to close to screen's border nor to another window above),
• Make a screenshot of this zone and keep it in clipboard,
• Close the screenshot app!
• Use the terminal to start ./kombat-lt.py