MISAO Project

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    PIXY System 2    

Practical Image eXamination and Inner-objects Identification system
Version 2

PIXY System 2

The latest version is 2007 July 15.

o Download Latest Version o

o Screen Shots o

o API References o

o XML and the PIXY System o

o Supported Catalogues o

o Users' Sites o

o Tutorials o

Now the version 2 of the PIXY System is being developed.

o Functions of the latest version

  • Automated star detection from an image, and automated astrometry and photometry.
    • Star detection, matching with star catalog, astrometry and photometry are all automated.
    • FITS images, SBIG images, JPEG images, etc., are supported.
    • GSC 1.1, GSC-ACT, USNO-A1.0/2.0, etc., are supported for comparison star catalog.
    • Accurate astrometry considering distortion (about one tenth pixel error).
    • Output of R.A. and Decl. of the image center, the field of view, the rotation angle, and the limiting magnitude.
    • Mouse click on a chart window and view information of the star.
    • Magnitude report output for VSNET/VSOLJ.
  • Identification with comets, asteroids, variable stars, clusters and nebulae.
    • Automated research of comets, asteroids, variable stars, clusters and nebulae in the field of the image.
    • Many catalogs and WWW services as listed up in the Supported Catalogues are supported to identify with.
    • Overview chart to plot identified stars.
    • Table to read the data of identified stars, and to verify the result checking the distance between stars.
  • Astrometry support.
    • Accurate astrometry considering distortion (about one tenth pixel error).
    • Output of table to show the residuals and to select data used in astrometry.
  • Photometry support.
    • Photometry of images using the standard filter.
    • Photometry of unfiltered CCD images considering the chip feature based on the V magnitude and B-V value.
    • Calculation of the formula for your own observation system.
    • Output of table to show the residuals and to select data used in photometry.
    • Zero-point adjustment to the reference images.
  • Database support.
    • Construction of image database which consists of information of examined images.
    • Construction of catalog database which consists of star data in many catalogs listed up in the Supported Catalogues.
    • Construction of magnitude database which consists of measured magnitude of comets, asteroids, variable stars, clusters and nebulae in the image.
    • Star database desktop to browse the catalog database and magnitude database.
      • Viewing information of stars.
      • Viewing the chart of the stars.
      • Viewing the measured positions of stars.
      • Viewing the measured magnitude data of stars.
      • Star search (listing up covering images, and measured positions and magnitude).
      • Identification with a star catalog (search for many stars at once).
      • Creating the thumbnail image gallery to verify the measurement.
      • Reporting magnitude to VSNET/VSOLJ and recording reported status.
      • Output of measured positions in MPC format.
    • Image database desktop to browse the image database.
      • Viewing the image information.
      • Reviewing the examination result.
  • Chart view.
    • Plotting star data in in many catalogs listed up in the Supported Catalogues.
    • Magnitude to plot stars can be selected from standard systems (V, B, Rc) or catalog-dependent magnitude.
    • Any type of magnitude system, for your own CCD chip for example, is supported by setting the coefficient of B-V.
    • Viewing multiple catalogs on one chart.
    • Saving star data into Astrometrica Other(ASCII) format.
  • Cross identification between catalogs.
    • Search of several celestial objects in one lump using Astrometrica Other(ASCII) format.
    • Search of several minor planets in one lump using MPC Format and Minor Planet Checker.
  • Plug-in support.
    • Reading image files of user's own format.
    • Developing automated operation system for user's own survey style.
  • Support for new variable star survey.
    • Special desktop for variable star survey.
    • Variable star survey among the selected XML files.
    • Threshold of magnitude difference, the limiting magnitude at the peak, etc., can be specified.
    • Identification with star catalogs, or star database.
    • Viewing the chart to check whether it is new or not.
    • Creating thumbnail image gallery to verify the variability.
    • Creating differential image gallery to delete nebula (effective for supernova survey).
    • Exporting list of new variable stars into Astrometrica Other(ASCII) format.
    • Search of overlapping images automatically from the database.
    • Exporting and importing a package of new variable star candidates.
  • Support for bright new object survey.
    • Special desktop for bright new object survey.
    • Bright new object survey among the selected XML files.
    • Threshold of magnitude difference, the limiting magnitude at the peak, etc., can be specified.
    • Identification with star catalogs, or star database.
    • HTML file of image gallery creation to compare with the DSS (Digitized Sky Survey) images.
    • Exporting list of new objects into Astrometrica Other(ASCII) format.
  • Support for batch operation.
    • Batch operation on result XML files.
      • Identification with comets, asteroids, variable stars, clusters and nebulae.
      • Photometric calibration.
      • Registration to the database.
  • Save the examination result in XML file, and review of the desktop from the XML file.
  • Examination of many images at once using the batch XML file.
  • Search of measured positions and magnitude for specified stars at once.
  • Format conversion of many images at one time, and creation of image gallery.
  • Support for variable and moving objects discovery comparing two images.
    • Automatic matching between the two images and overlapping.
    • KenIchi Kadota's R-GB method is supported.
      Composites two images so that one image represents red color, and the other represents green and blue color. Then only new stars, variable stars or moving objects will be colorful.
    • Blink two images.
  • Blooming and streaks cancel filters.
  • Automated image brightness adjustment.
  • Reloading of image files and XML files from CD-ROMs, etc.
  • Tutorial mode using the sample image and catalog.
  • Parallel operations of several virtual desktops.

If you have some comments and demands on the development of the PIXY System, please make a contact to Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net).

o Overview

The PIXY System is an automated astronomical image examination system developed by Seiichi Yoshida, used in the cource of new object survey of the MISAO Project. It automatically detects all stars from an image, collates them with star data recorded in catalogs, and finds out new objects or variable stars. It also prints out all astrometric and photometric data of all detected stars, so it is also useful for astrometry of minor planets or photometry of variable stars.

It is implemented using Java language. It runs both on a Windows PC and a UNIX workstation.

The PIXY System is a free software. The source files and documents are also available.

o Download

The latest version of the PIXY System 2 is 2007 July 15. This file also contains the source files.
pixy2-20070715.zip     3,417,795 bytes

It requires Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) Version 1.2.2 or later. Please download J2SE at the following web site:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/index.jsp
It also requires Java API for XML Parsing (JAXP). JAXP is enclosed in J2SE 1.3 or later. If you keep using J2SE 1.2.2, please download Java API for XML Parsing Reference Implementation Version 1.0.1 at the following web site:
http://java.sun.com/xml/archive.html
It supports JIMI (Java Image Management Interface) to open/save JPEG/PNG/BMP files and open GIF/TIFF files. Please download JIMI at the following web site:
http://java.sun.com/products/jimi/

o Installation

Just unpack the file you download and put the seven files in a folder.
ChangeLogThe log of changes.
READMEThe document.
pixy2.exeThe launcher of the PIXY System 2 for Windows.
pixy2.jarThe PIXY System 2 program file.
sample.catThe sample star catalog used in the tutorial mode.
sample.ftsThe sample image used in the tutorial mode.
sample.xmlThe examination result of the sample image.

o Running the system

1. Windows

Run the "pixy2.exe" contained in the file you download, and a dialog with three buttons will appear. Then push the "Setup" button at first and input the following five parameters properly.

  • Path of java.exe
  • Path of pixy2.jar
  • Path of JimiProClasses.zip
  • Path of plug-in files
  • Memory

The java.exe is in the bin folder in the folder where J2SE is installed. The pixy2.jar is contained in the file you download. Please set a bit smaller value of memory than real amount of memory. For example, when your PC has 256MB memory, input "200" or so in the Memory field.

The "Path of JimiProClasses.zip" and "Path of plug-in files" can be blank.

Once you set up the parameters properly, you can push the "Run PIXY" button and run the PIXY System 2.

2. UNIX

Unpack the file you download, move to the folder you installed the system and just type as follows:
        java -jar pixy2.jar
In order to set the memory used by the system, for example, when you apply 100MB for the PIXY System, just type as follows:
        java -Xmx100m -jar pixy2.jar
Please set a bit smaller value of memory than real amount of memory. For example, when your workstation has 256MB memory, set "200" or so to the option.

When you use the JIMI, add the path of JimiProClasses.zip to the CLASSPATH.

When you have some plug-in files, specify the path of the directory of the plug-in class files using the system property "misao.plugin". For example, when the plug-in files are in "/usr/local/lib/pixy", just type as follows:

        java -Dmisao.plugin=/usr/local/lib/pixy -jar pixy2.jar

It is recommended to set 256MB memory or more to run the PIXY System 2.

When running the PIXY System using J2SE 1.2.2, the system may ask you to install the JAXP, Java API for XML Parsing. In that case, please unpack the JAXP 1.0.1 package and copy jaxp.jar and parser.jar in the proper directory where the PIXY System indicates.

o Caution

Jan Kotek modified the PIXY System 2 to run on JRE 1.6. Please see the following page:
http://www.kotek.net/blog/pixy2

In the case of 2003 January version or the older, the system does not start when you put the files of JAVA or PIXY System 2 under a folder containing white spaces in its name such as "Program Files". Please download the new version of the PIXY System 2.

A FITS image data is recorded in bottom-to-top order. However, most of the FITS images in Japan contain data in top-to-bottom order. The PIXY System 2 reads FITS image data in Japanese style by default. So opening a world standard FITS file, the image appears upside down. To show the world standard FITS images in correct order, please select the "Configuration" menu in the main menu, select the "Image Configuration" sub menu, and check "standard" in "Default FITS data order" on the dialog box.

The PIXY System 2 cannot view an image to the display when using J2SE 1.3. The examination rarely stops illegally when using J2SE 1.3. Please use J2SE 1.4 or later, or 1.2.2.

When Japanese characters are used in the folder or file name, the file cannot be opened by drag and drop using J2SE 1.2.2.

In the case of 2003 May version or the older, it may happens that an error message "ERROR: JimiProClasses.zip not found." appears and the system does not start when you push the "Run PIXY" button. Please download the new version of the PIXY System 2.

o Copyright

PIXY System 2 (2007 July 15)
Copyright (C) 1997-2007 Seiichi Yoshida (comet@aerith.net)
All rights reserved.
MISAO Project  http://www.aerith.net/misao/

The copyright of the sample image is reserved by Ken-ichi Kadota.

Java is the trademark of Sun Microsystems(tm), Inc.

The class files in net.aerith.misao.xml.relaxer package are created by
Relaxer from the RELAX files.
    http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~dp8t-asm/java/tools/Relaxer/
    http://www.xml.gr.jp/relax/

o Special Thanks To:

  Ken-ichi Kadota, Akimasa Nakamura, and all image contributors.
  Ken'ichi Torii, Makoto Yoshikawa, and all misao-j ML members.
  Taichi Kato, and the VSOLJ (Variable Star Observers League in Japan).
  Bruce Koehn, David G. Monet, and the U.S. Naval Observatory.
  Bill J. Gray, and the Project Pluto.
  John Greaves, and all bug reporters.
... and everyone for informative advices and comments.

o Old version of the PIXY system

Copyright(C) MISAO Project (comet@aerith.net). All rights reserved.