| name | astro-dso-doc |
| description | Generates a complete, polished HTML documentation page, a processing checklist, an AstroBin post JSON, a PixInsight process icon set (XPSM), AND a ready-to-paste PixInsight project Description field for a deep-sky object (DSO) astrophotography project. Use this skill whenever the user mentions astrophotography, a DSO name (NGC, IC, Messier, Sharpless, etc.), wants to document an imaging session, mentions PixInsight project documentation, wants to create an observation report, or asks to generate a page/document for a nebula, galaxy, cluster, or other deep-sky target. Triggers on phrases like "create doc for NGC XXXX", "generate DSO page", "document my session on", "make a PixInsight doc for", "astro documentation page", "pixinsight project description", "description field pixinsight", "processing checklist", "workflow checklist", "astrobin", "astrobin post", "astrobin upload", "process icons", "xpsm", "pixinsight icons". Always use this skill — not a generic HTML generator — when the subject is a deep-sky object. |
Astro DSO Documentation Generator
Generates five deliverables for a deep-sky object (DSO) astrophotography project:
project.json — a flat JSON file containing the PixInsight project description data (copy the description field value into the Description box of .xosm)doc/index.html — a rich, self-contained HTML documentation page (path goes into the Documentation field of .xosm), using the Catppuccin flavor palette with a theme switcher.doc/processing-checklist.html — an interactive step-by-step PixInsight processing checklist adapted to the target's filter set (LRGB, HOO, SHO, RGB-only, etc.), using the same Catppuccin design system.astrobin.json — a structured JSON file containing all AstroBin image post fields, ready to copy-paste into the AstroBin upload form.Process Icons - <common_name> - <workflow_type> workflow.xpsm — a PixInsight process icon set tailored to the detected workflow (LRGB, RGB, HOO, SHO), generated from the processing checklist phases.
Workflow
Step 1 — Identify the Target
Extract the DSO name/catalog number from the user's message. If ambiguous or missing, ask for it before proceeding.
Common catalog prefixes: NGC, IC, M (Messier), Sh2 (Sharpless), B (Barnard), vdB, LBN, LDN, Ced, RCW.
Step 2 — Collect Acquisition Data (interactive)
Ask the user the following questions one block at a time (don't dump all at once). Wait for answers before proceeding.
Block A — Instrument:
What instrument did you use?
(e.g. telescope model, focal length, f-ratio, camera, built-in filter)
Block B — Site:
Where did you image from?
(location name, lat/lon if known, approximate altitude)
Block C — Session files:
Please provide the path to the folder or list of session files.
(e.g. /path/to/sessions/ or paste filenames directly)
If the user gives a directory path, scan it with Bash:
ls -1 /path/to/sessions/ | grep -iE '\.(tiff?|fits?|xisf|cr2|nef|dng|raf|jpg|jpeg|png)$' | sort
Present the sorted list for confirmation before proceeding.
If the user pastes filenames directly, accept them as-is.
Block D — Optional extras (ask once, accept "skip" gracefully):
Any additional notes? (sky conditions, Bortle class, total integration time, etc.)
Step 3 — Research the DSO
Use web_search to gather comprehensive data. Run at least 3 searches in parallel or sequence:
{DSO name} {common name} astronomical data distance magnitude type constellation{DSO name} star forming region physical properties HII nebula galaxy cluster{DSO name} NASA Hubble ESA observations history discovery- (if nebula)
{DSO name} astrophotography imaging narrowband dual-band filter tips
Collect:
- Coordinates (RA / Dec J2000)
- Distance (ly and parsecs)
- Apparent size (arcmin)
- Visual magnitude
- Physical diameter
- Object type (HII region, reflection nebula, galaxy, globular cluster, etc.)
- Discovery history (who, when, instrument)
- Physical structure and processes
- Notable stars or ionizing sources
- Observation/imaging notes
- Key references (NASA, ESA, SIMBAD, catalogues)
- All catalog designations (NGC, IC, Sh2, LBN, etc.)
Step 4 — Generate project.json
Build a flat JSON object (no nesting, no indentation) representing the PixInsight project
description. Save it as ./project.json in the current working directory using Bash:
cat > ./project.json << 'EOF'
{"target":"NGC2174","common_name":"Monkey Head Nebula","constellation":"Orion","ra":"06h 09m 42s","dec":"+20° 30' 00\"","object_type":"H II Region","telescope":"Vaonis Vespera 1 (50mm f/4)","camera":"Sony IMX585 (built-in)","filter":"Dual-band built-in (Ha + OIII)","site":"Dark Sky Site","site_coords":"45.0N / 6.0E · ~900m","session_count":6,"sessions":["2026-03-19_19h04.tiff","2026-03-20_18h48.tiff","2026-03-23_20h43.tiff","2026-04-07_20h40.tiff","2026-04-08_19h19.tiff","2026-04-16_19h37.tiff"],"stacking":"Internal stacking by instrument","calibration":"Handled internally by the instrument","subs_integrated":"6 / 6","ref_alignment":"","ref_integration":"","notes":"","created":"2026-05-05","description":"TARGET : NGC2174 – Monkey Head Nebula\nConstellation: Orion | RA 06h 09m 42s / Dec +20° 30' 00\"\n\n── EQUIPMENT ────────────────────────────────────────────\nTelescope : Vaonis Vespera 1 (50mm f/4)\nCamera : Sony IMX585 (built-in)\nFilter : Dual-band built-in (Ha + OIII)\nSite : Dark Sky Site (45.0N / 6.0E · ~900m)\n\n── SESSIONS ─────────────────────────────────────────────\n2026-03-19_19h04.tiff\n2026-03-20_18h48.tiff\n2026-03-23_20h43.tiff\n2026-04-07_20h40.tiff\n2026-04-08_19h19.tiff\n2026-04-16_19h37.tiff\n\nTotal : 6 sessions | Internal stacking by instrument\nCalibration : Handled internally by the instrument\n\n── INTEGRATION ──────────────────────────────────────────\nSubs integrated : 6 / 6\nRef. alignment :\nRef. integration :\n\n────────────────────────────────────────────────────────\nProject created : 2026-05-05"}
EOF
JSON field rules:
- No indentation — the entire JSON must be a single line (minified)
- All string values use
\n for newlines within the description field
ref_alignment and ref_integration are always empty strings "" — the user fills them in PixInsightcalibration: "Handled internally by the instrument" for smart telescopes; "Darks / Flats / Bias" otherwisesessions array: filenames sorted chronologically, no path prefixdescription field: the full plain-text block (same format as before, using \n escapes) ready to paste into PixInsight's Description boxnotes: empty string "" if user skipped Block D; otherwise the user's text
After writing the file, confirm the path to the user.
Step 5 — Generate the HTML Documentation Page
Read the full HTML template from references/documentation-template.html.
Fill in all the template placeholders using:
- Research data (Step 3)
- Acquisition data (Step 2)
- Session file list (Step 2C)
Create the doc/ directory if it does not exist, then save the output:
mkdir -p ./doc
Save the file as ./doc/index.html.
Tell the user the full path of the generated file, and remind them:
- Documentation field of the PixInsight project → path to
doc/index.html
- Description field of the PixInsight project → copy the value of the
description key from project.json
Step 5b — Generate the Processing Checklist
Read the full checklist template from references/processing-checklist-template.html.
5b.1 — Detect filter set
Before filling the template, determine the workflow mode from the filter field in project.json:
| Filter value contains | Workflow mode | Active channels |
|---|
Luminance + Red + Green + Blue | LRGB | L, R, G, B |
Red + Green + Blue (no Lum) | RGB | R, G, B |
Ha + OIII (no RGB) | HOO | Hα, OIII |
Ha + OIII + SII | SHO | Hα, OIII, SII |
Ha + RGB | HαRGB | Hα, R, G, B |
Ha + OIII + RGB | HOO+RGB | Hα, OIII, R, G, B |
| Single filter only | Mono | That channel only |
5b.2 — Parse per-channel exposure times
Parse the sessions array from project.json to extract per-channel totals.
Case A — sessions is an array of summary strings (e.g. "Luminance: 3h 00m (36 × 300s)"):
Extract directly from the string content.
Case B — sessions is an array of filenames (e.g. CHI-1-CMOS_2023-07-26_NGC253_Blue_300s_ID374118_cal.fits):
Count files per filter keyword (Blue, Green, Red, Luminance, Ha, Halpha, OIII, SII) and compute total exposure using the sub duration from the filename or from subs_integrated.
If per-channel data cannot be parsed, use — as the placeholder value.
5b.3 — Fill placeholders
| Placeholder | Value |
|---|
{{DSO_ID}} | target field from project.json (e.g. NGC 4594) |
{{COMMON_NAME}} | common_name field |
{{CONSTELLATION}} | constellation field |
{{OBJECT_TYPE}} | object_type field, uppercased |
{{CAMERA}} | camera field |
{{INSTRUMENT}} | telescope field |
{{FILTER}} | filter field |
{{SITE}} | site field |
{{TOTAL_EXPOSURE}} | total_exposure field (or computed from sessions) |
{{TOTAL_SUBS}} | numeric portion of subs_integrated (e.g. 120) |
{{LUM_TIME}} | parsed Luminance total, e.g. 3h 00m (36 × 300s) |
{{RED_TIME}} | parsed Red total |
{{GREEN_TIME}} | parsed Green total |
{{BLUE_TIME}} | parsed Blue total |
{{HA_TIME}} | parsed Hα total (omit row if channel absent) |
{{OIII_TIME}} | parsed OIII total (omit row if channel absent) |
{{SII_TIME}} | parsed SII total (omit row if channel absent) |
{{GENERATED_DATE}} | today's date YYYY-MM-DD |
{{AUTHOR}} | user name / location from Block B, or — |
{{DSO_NOTES}} |
Also replace all occurrences of {{DSO_ID}} inside id="step-*" attributes and the STORAGE_KEY constant with a slug version: spaces replaced by hyphens, lowercased (e.g. ngc-4594).
5b.4 — Adapt sections to workflow mode
Apply the following structural modifications based on the detected workflow mode:
LRGB workflow (default — correct order):
- Phase 02: Luminance linear (BXT + NXT only — no stretch)
- Phase 03: RGB linear (SPFC + CC + SPCC + BXT + NXT — no stretch)
- Phase 04: LRGBCombination on linear masters — combine L + RGB before any stretch
- Phase 05: Stretch the LRGB combined image + SCNR
- Phase 06: StarXterminator on stretched LRGB
- Phase 07: Starless LRGB processing (GHS, LHE, USM, SCC, NXT)
- Phase 08: Rescreen stars
- Phase 09: Finalization (Curves, ICC, Export)
RGB workflow (no Luminance):
- Remove section 04 entirely (Phase 02 — Luminance Processing)
- Remove section 09 entirely (Phase 07 — LRGB Integration)
- Update section numbers accordingly (03→03, 05→04, 06→05, 07→06, 08→07, 10→08, 11→09)
- Change all
tag-lrgb tags to tag-rgb in finalization steps
- Update export filenames from
{{DSO_ID}}_LRGB_final.* to {{DSO_ID}}_RGB_final.*
- Remove Luminance legend item
HOO / SHO narrowband workflow:
- Remove section 04 (Luminance linear) — keep section 09 if Luminance is present
- In section 05 (RGB linear): rename to "Narrowband Processing (Linear)"
- Replace
ChannelCombination step with: "PixelMath — HOO / SHO palette assembly"
- Remove SPCC step; replace with: "BackgroundNeutralization + ColorCalibration"
- Keep BlurXterminator, NoiseXterminator, stretch steps
- Replace
SCNR step with: "Correct magenta stars — CorrectMagentaStars script"
- Replace
tag-rgb tags with tag-nb throughout narrowband phases
- Uncomment narrowband legend items (
tag-ha, tag-oiii) in the legend section
- Uncomment narrowband data cells (Hα, OIII, SII) in section 01
- Update export filenames to
{{DSO_ID}}_HOO_final.* or {{DSO_ID}}_SHO_final.*
HαRGB workflow:
- Keep full LRGB structure
- Add one step after
ChannelCombination in section 05: "PixelMath — Integrate Hα into Red channel (HαRGB blend)"
- Uncomment Hα legend item and data cell
- Tag the new step with
tag-ha and tag-rgb
Smart telescope / pre-stacked (single session file per filter, stacking = "Internal stacking by instrument"):
-
Replace the entire Phase 01 (section 03) with a single step:
Import pre-stacked masters
Copy the stacked output files into the project folder.
No WBPP run required — calibration and stacking handled by the instrument.
-
Remove Blink Comparator steps
5b.5 — Save the file
cat > ./doc/processing-checklist.html << 'EOF'
[filled and adapted template content]
EOF
Tell the user:
- Processing Checklist →
doc/processing-checklist.html
Checklist state (checked steps) persists across browser reloads via localStorage, keyed by DSO slug.
Step 5c — Generate astrobin.json
Build the AstroBin post fields JSON from all previously collected data (Steps 2, 3, 4).
5c.1 — Field mapping rules
| AstroBin field | Source | Rules |
|---|
title | common_name + target from project.json | Format: "Common Name (DSO_ID)" — e.g. "Sombrero Galaxy (NGC 4594)" |
description | Research data (Step 3) + acquisition summary | 3–5 sentences in English. Scientific summary + total integration + filter set. Plain text, no HTML. |
link | Telescope.live dataset URL if applicable | See 5c.2 below |
image_file | — | Always "" — user uploads the image manually |
imaging_telescopes | telescope from project.json | Array of objects — see 5c.3 |
imaging_cameras | camera from project.json | Array of objects — see 5c.3 |
mounts | — | Empty array [] unless user provided mount info in Block A |
filters | filter from project.json | Array of objects — one per channel — see 5c.4 |
software | Always PixInsight | Fixed value — see 5c.3 |
location | site + site_coords from project.json | Object — see 5c.3 |
acquisition_details | sessions array from project.json | Array of objects — one per filter channel — see 5c.5 |
first_acquisition_date | Earliest date parsed from sessions | YYYY-MM-DD format |
last_acquisition_date | Latest date parsed from sessions | YYYY-MM-DD format |
data_source | "OWN" or "AMATEUR_HOSTING" |
5c.2 — Dataset link (telescope.live)
If site or telescope contains "telescope.live" or "Telescope.live":
- Set
link to "https://app.telescope.live/archive" as the default dataset URL.
- If the user provided a specific dataset URL in Block D, use it instead.
- Otherwise set
link to "".
5c.3 — Equipment objects
imaging_telescopes — one object per telescope:
{
"name": "Telescope.live Remote Observatory",
"aperture": null,
"focal_length": null,
"type": "REFRACTOR"
}
Parse aperture (mm) and focal length (mm) from the telescope string if present (e.g. "50mm f/4" → aperture: 50, focal_length: 200).
Type heuristics: contains "Newton" or "Newtonian" → "NEWTONIAN", "Cassegrain" or "SCT" → "SCT", "Refractor" or "APO" or "ED" or "f/" → "REFRACTOR", "Reflector" → "REFLECTOR", otherwise "OTHER".
imaging_cameras — one object:
{
"name": "QHY 600M",
"type": "CCD",
"modified": false
}
Type: if camera name contains "IMX", "CMOS", "ASI", "QHY", "ZWO", "Atik Horizon" → "CCD" (AstroBin uses CCD for all dedicated astro cameras). modified always false unless user stated "modded" or "full spectrum".
software — always:
[{"name": "PixInsight", "version": ""}]
5c.4 — Filters array
Parse the filter field from project.json. Produce one object per distinct channel:
{
"name": "Luminance",
"type": "L",
"bandwidth": null,
"vendor": "",
"model": ""
}
Filter type mapping:
| Channel keyword | AstroBin type |
|---|
| Luminance, Lum, L | "L" |
| Red, R | "R" |
| Green, G | "G" |
| Blue, B | "B" |
| Hα, Ha, H-alpha | "Ha" |
| OIII, O3 | "OIII" |
| SII, S2 | "SII" |
| Dual-band, dual band | produce two objects: "Ha" + "OIII" |
| Tri-band, tri band | produce three objects: "Ha" + "OIII" + "SII" |
If the filter string includes a bandwidth (e.g. "3nm", "6.5nm", "7 nm"), set bandwidth to the numeric value in nm. Extract vendor/model if present (e.g. "Antlia 3nm Ha" → vendor: "Antlia", model: "3nm Ha").
5c.5 — Acquisition details (DeepSky sessions)
Produce one object per filter channel. Parse per-channel data from the sessions array (same logic as Step 5b.2).
{
"filter": "Luminance",
"filter_type": "L",
"number": 36,
"duration": 300,
"binning": 1,
"gain": null,
"sensor_cooling": null,
"darks": null,
"flats": null,
"flat_darks": null,
"bias": null,
"bortle": null,
"mean_sqm": null,
"mean_fwhm": null,
"temperature": null,
"date": "YYYY-MM-DD"
}
Field rules:
number — sub count for this filter channelduration — sub duration in seconds (parse from filename or session string, e.g. 300s, 300.00s)binning — always 1 unless user specified otherwisegain — parse from filename if present (e.g. _GAIN100_), otherwise nullbortle — parse from Block D notes if user mentioned Bortle class, otherwise nulldate — use the first date found for this filter in the sessions array; format YYYY-MM-DD- All other fields
null unless explicitly provided by the user
5c.6 — Subject type mapping
| object_type contains | AstroBin subject_type |
|---|
| Galaxy, Galaxies | "GALAXY" |
| Nebula, HII, H II, Emission | "NEBULA" |
| Cluster, Open cluster | "OPEN_CLUSTER" |
| Globular | "GLOBULAR_CLUSTER" |
| Planetary nebula | "PLANETARY_NEBULA" |
| Supernova remnant, SNR | "SUPERNOVA_REMNANT" |
| Solar system | "SOLAR_SYSTEM_BODY" |
| Other / unknown | "OTHER" |
5c.7 — Save the file
Save as ./astrobin.json (pretty-printed, 2-space indent — unlike project.json this one is for human reading):
cat > ./astrobin.json << 'EOF'
{
"title": "...",
...
}
EOF
Example output (M104, LRGB, Telescope.live):
{
"title": "Sombrero Galaxy (NGC 4594)",
"description": "The Sombrero Galaxy (NGC 4594) is a spectacular Sa/Sb spiral galaxy in Virgo, located approximately 28 million light-years away. Its iconic silhouette features a brilliant central bulge bisected by a prominent dust lane. Imaged in LRGB from the Telescope.live Chile remote observatory using a QHY 600M camera over 10 hours of total integration (36×300s Luminance, 27×300s Red, 29×300s Green, 28×300s Blue). Processed in PixInsight.",
"link": "https://app.telescope.live/archive",
"image_file": "",
"imaging_telescopes": [
{
"name": "Telescope.live Remote Observatory",
"aperture": null,
"focal_length": null,
"type": "REFRACTOR"
}
],
"imaging_cameras": [
{
"name": "QHY 600M",
"type": "CCD",
"modified": false
}
],
"mounts": [],
"filters": [
{ "name": "Luminance", "type": "L", "bandwidth": null, "vendor": "", "model": "" },
{ "name": "Red", "type": "R", "bandwidth": null, "vendor": "", "model": "" },
{ "name": "Green", "type": "G", "bandwidth": null, "vendor": "", "model": "" },
{ "name": "Blue", "type": "B", "bandwidth": null, "vendor": "", "model": "" }
],
"software": [
{ "name": "PixInsight", "version": "" }
],
"location": {
"name": "Chile Remote Observatory",
"coords": "Chile · Southern Hemisphere"
},
"subject_type": "GALAXY",
"data_source": "AMATEUR_HOSTING",
"remote_source": "TELELIVE",
"first_acquisition_date": "2023-02-15",
"last_acquisition_date": "2025-03-06",
"acquisition_details": [
{
"filter": "Luminance", "filter_type": "L",
"number": 36, "duration": 300, "binning": 1,
"gain": null, "sensor_cooling": null,
"darks": null, "flats": null, "flat_darks": null, "bias": null,
"bortle": null, "mean_sqm": null, "mean_fwhm": null, "temperature": null,
"date": "2023-02-15"
},
{
"filter": "Red", "filter_type": "R",
"number": 27, "duration": 300, "binning": 1,
"gain": null, "sensor_cooling": null,
"darks": null, "flats": null, "flat_darks": null, "bias": null,
"bortle": null, "mean_sqm": null, "mean_fwhm": null, "temperature": null,
"date": "2023-02-15"
},
{
"filter": "Green", "filter_type": "G",
"number": 29, "duration": 300, "binning": 1,
"gain": null, "sensor_cooling": null,
"darks": null, "flats": null, "flat_darks": null, "bias": null,
"bortle": null, "mean_sqm": null, "mean_fwhm": null, "temperature": null,
"date": "2023-02-15"
},
{
"filter": "Blue", "filter_type": "B",
"number": 28, "duration": 300, "binning": 1,
"gain": null, "sensor_cooling": null,
"darks": null, "flats": null, "flat_darks": null, "bias": null,
"bortle": null, "mean_sqm": null, "mean_fwhm": null, "temperature": null,
"date": "2023-02-15"
}
]
}
Tell the user:
- AstroBin post fields →
astrobin.json
- Fields
imaging_telescopes, imaging_cameras, filters, acquisition_details map 1:1 to AstroBin's "Equipment" and "Acquisition" sections.
image_file must be filled manually when uploading.
Step 5d — Generate Process Icons XPSM
Generate a PixInsight process icon set (.xpsm) tailored to the detected workflow mode (Step 5b.1) and the specific target.
5d.1 — Filename
Process Icons - <common_name> - <workflow_type> workflow.xpsm
<common_name> → common_name from project.json, spaces preserved (e.g. Sombrero Galaxy)<workflow_type> → detected workflow mode, title-cased: LRGB, RGB, HOO, SHO, HaRGB
Example: Process Icons - Sombrero Galaxy - LRGB workflow.xpsm
Save to the current working directory (not inside doc/).
5d.2 — XPSM file structure
All XPSM files share this skeleton:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--
PixInsight XML Process Serialization Module - XPSM 1.0
Generated: <GENERATED_DATE>
Target: <DSO_ID> — <COMMON_NAME>
Workflow: <WORKFLOW_TYPE>
-->
<xpsm version="1.0"
xmlns="http://www.pixinsight.com/xpsm"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.pixinsight.com/xpsm http://pixinsight.com/xpsm/xpsm-1.0.xsd">
[instance blocks]
[icon blocks]
</xpsm>
Rules:
- Every
<instance> block must have a unique id ending in _instance
- Every
<icon> block references its instance via instance="<id>"
xpos always 2000, ypos increments of 40 per icon from topworkspace always "Workspace01"- The
<description> element on each instance must state the phase number, step number, and a one-line usage note
5d.3 — LRGB workflow icon set
Generate the following instances and icons in this exact order:
PHASE 02 — Luminance Linear (no stretch)
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
STF_AutoStretch | ScreenTransferFunction | 4 rows, c0=0.01732, m=0.02099, c1=1.0; interaction=Grayscale | Visual check only — do NOT apply permanently |
BXT_CorrectOnly_Lum | BlurXTerminator | correct_only=true, sharpen_stars=0.25, sharpen_nonstellar=0.90, auto_nonstellar_psf=true | First pass on Lum linear — PSF correction only |
BXT_Full_Lum | BlurXTerminator | correct_only=false, sharpen_stars=0.25, sharpen_nonstellar=0.90, auto_nonstellar_psf=true | Second pass on Lum linear — full sharpening |
NXT_Lum | NoiseXTerminator | denoise=0.70, enable_color_separation=false, iterations=2, detail=0.15 | Mono channel — color separation OFF |
PHASE 03 — RGB Linear (no stretch)
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
ChannelCombination | ChannelCombination | colorSpace=RGB, 3 rows enabled=true id="" | Assemble R+G+B linear masters |
SPCC | SpectrophotometricColorCalibration | applyCalibration=true, catalogId=GaiaDR3SP, autoLimitMagnitude=true, neutralizeBackground=true | Color calibration — run ImageSolver first |
BXT_CorrectOnly_RGB | BlurXTerminator | correct_only=true, sharpen_stars=0.25, sharpen_nonstellar=0.90 | First pass on RGB linear |
BXT_Full_RGB | BlurXTerminator | correct_only=false, sharpen_stars=0.25, sharpen_nonstellar=0.90 | Second pass on RGB linear |
NXT_RGB | NoiseXTerminator | denoise=0.70, enable_color_separation=true, denoise_color=0.90, iterations=2 | Color channel — separation ON |
PHASE 04 — LRGB Combination (linear)
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
LRGBCombination | LRGBCombination | clipHighlights=true, noiseReduction=false, layersRemoved=4, layersProtected=2, 4 channel rows enabled=true k=1.0 (first row k=0.5 for L), mL=0.500, mc=0.500 | Apply on linear RGB — L must be monochrome (ConvertToGrayscale if needed). All weights = 1.0 |
PHASE 05 — Stretch LRGB
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
Stretch_LRGB | GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch | stretchType=ST_GeneralisedHyperbolic, stretchChannel=SC_RGB, stretchFactor=0.200, symmetryPoint=0.059964, highlightProtection=0.500 | Stretch combined LRGB — after LRGBCombination |
SCNR | SCNR | amount=1.00, protectionMethod=AverageNeutral, colorToRemove=Green, preserveLightness=true | Remove green cast after stretch |
PHASE 06 — Star Separation
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
StarXTerminator | StarXTerminator | stars=true, unscreen=true, overlap=0.20 | Separate stars and starless from stretched LRGB |
Curves_Stars_Sat | CurvesTransformation | S channel: 3 rows (0→0, 0.5→0.58, 1→1); all other channels: identity 2 rows | Saturation boost on Stars-only image |
PHASE 07 — Starless LRGB Processing
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
GHS_Starless | GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch | stretchType=ST_GeneralisedHyperbolic, stretchChannel=SC_RGB, stretchFactor=0.200, symmetryPoint=0.059964, highlightProtection=0.500 | Pull faint structures — adjust HP and SP per target |
LHE | LocalHistogramEqualization | radius=64, histogramBins=Bit12, slopeLimit=2.0, amount=0.500, circularKernel=true | Local contrast — conservative on LRGB |
UnsharpMask | UnsharpMask | sigma=2.00, amount=0.40, useLuminance=true, linear=false, deringing=false | Moderate — Lum already provides sharpness |
NXT_Starless | NoiseXTerminator | denoise=0.70, enable_color_separation=true, denoise_color=0.90, iterations=1, detail=0.15 | 2nd pass on starless — ~70% strength |
PHASE 08 — Recombination
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
PixelMath_Rescreen | PixelMath | expression=~((~starless)*(~stars)), useSingleExpression=true, createNewImage=true, newImageColorSpace=RGB | Drag onto starless image — IDs must match open windows |
PHASE 09 — Finalization
| Icon ID | Class | Key parameters | Description |
|---|
Curves_Final | CurvesTransformation | K channel: 4 rows (0→0, 0.25→0.22, 0.75→0.78, 1→1); L channel: 3 rows (0→0, 0.5→0.53, 1→1); S channel: 3 rows (0→0, 0.5→0.55, 1→1); all others identity | S-curve + midtone lift + saturation boost |
ICCProfileTransformation | ICCProfileTransformation | targetProfile=sRGB IEC61966-2.1, toDefaultProfile=false, renderingIntent=RelativeColorimetric, useBlackPointCompensation=true | Last step before export |
5d.4 — RGB workflow icon set
Same as LRGB but:
- Remove
NXT_Lum, BXT_CorrectOnly_Lum, BXT_Full_Lum, STF_AutoStretch (Lum phase entirely absent)
- Remove
LRGBCombination
- Add
Stretch_RGB (same GHS parameters as Stretch_LRGB) immediately after NXT_RGB
- Renumber phases: Phase 02 → RGB linear, Phase 03 → Stretch RGB, Phase 04 → Star separation, etc.
5d.5 — HOO / SHO narrowband workflow icon set
Same base as RGB but:
- Replace
ChannelCombination with PixelMath_HOO or PixelMath_SHO:
HOO PixelMath expression (3-channel: R=Ha, G=blend, B=OIII):
R: $T[0]*BrightnessControl
G: k= adev($T[0])/adev($T[1]); g1= ((k*OIIIBoost)*($T[1]-med($T[1]))+med($T[0])); iif(OIII_SCurve==0,g1,3*g1^2-2*g1^3)*BrightnessControl
B: k= adev($T[0])/adev($T[1]); b1= ((k*OIIIBoost)*($T[1]-med($T[1]))+med($T[0])); iif(OIII_SCurve==0,b1,3*b1^2-2*b1^3)*BrightnessControl
Symbols: OIIIBoost=1.0; HaBlend=0.6; BrightnessControl=1.0; OIII_SCurve=0; k,g1,b1
- Remove
SPCC → replace with a SCNR at green (for magenta star correction after narrowband palette)
- Add
CorrectMagentaStars note in description (Script-based, no XPSM instance available)
5d.6 — ypos layout
Icons are placed top-to-bottom in a single column at xpos=2000, starting at ypos=40, incrementing by 40 per icon. A gap of 80 (one empty slot) separates each phase boundary.
| Phase | Start ypos |
|---|
| Phase 02 | 40 |
| Phase 03 | 40 + (n_phase02 × 40) + 80 |
| Phase 04 | previous + (n_phase03 × 40) + 80 |
| … | … |
5d.7 — Save the file
cat > "Process Icons - <common_name> - <workflow_type> workflow.xpsm" << 'EOF'
[generated XPSM content]
EOF
Tell the user:
- Process Icons →
Process Icons - <common_name> - <workflow_type> workflow.xpsm
- Import in PixInsight via File → Import Process Icons
- Icon descriptions include phase, step number, and usage reminders
- Image IDs in
PixelMath_Rescreen (starless, stars) must match actual open window names in PixInsight
Step 6 — Copy Description to Clipboard
Run the following command to place the PixInsight description text directly into the clipboard:
cat project.json | jq -r '.description' | pbcopy
If the command succeeds (exit code 0), tell the user:
✓ Description copied to clipboard — paste it directly into the PixInsight project Description field.
If it fails (e.g. jq or pbcopy not found), show the fallback message:
⚠ Clipboard copy unavailable. Open project.json and copy the value of the description key manually.
Template Placeholders Reference
See references/documentation-template.html for the full annotated documentation template.
See references/processing-checklist-template.html for the full annotated checklist template.
Documentation template (references/documentation-template.html)
Key placeholders:
{{DSO_ID}} — e.g. NGC2174{{COMMON_NAME}} — e.g. Monkey Head Nebula{{RA}}, {{DEC}} — J2000 coordinates{{DISTANCE_LY}}, {{DISTANCE_PC}} — with uncertainty range if known{{APPARENT_SIZE}} — e.g. 40′ × 30′{{MAGNITUDE}} — visual magnitude{{PHYSICAL_DIAMETER}} — e.g. ~75 ly{{OBJECT_TYPE}} — e.g. H II Region{{CONSTELLATION}} — full name{{CATALOG_ROWS}} — <tr> rows for the catalog table{{SCIENTIFIC_DESCRIPTION}} — 3–5 <p> paragraphs{{KEY_STAR_BLOCK}} — filled if a dominant ionizing/notable star exists, else empty{{TIMELINE_ITEMS}} — <div class="timeline-item"> blocks for history{{PHYSICAL_STRUCTURE}} — 3–4 <p> paragraphs{{OBSERVATION_TIPS}} — <div class="tip-card"> blocks{{INSTRUMENT}}, {{FILTER}}, {{SITE}}, {{SITE_COORDS}} — acquisition fields{{SESSION_COUNT}} — integer{{SESSION_FILES}} — <span class="session-file">filename</span> per file{{REFERENCES_ROWS}} — <tr> rows for references table{{GENERATED_DATE}} — today's date YYYY-MM-DD{{AUTHOR_NOTES}} — optional free-text notes block (omit section if empty)
Checklist template (references/processing-checklist-template.html)
Key placeholders:
{{DSO_ID}} — e.g. NGC 4594 (display) and ngc-4594 (slug for IDs and localStorage){{COMMON_NAME}} — e.g. Sombrero Galaxy{{CONSTELLATION}} — full name{{OBJECT_TYPE}} — uppercased, e.g. SPIRAL GALAXY{{CAMERA}} — e.g. QHY 600M{{INSTRUMENT}} — e.g. Telescope.live Remote Observatory{{FILTER}} — e.g. LRGB{{SITE}} — e.g. Chile Remote Observatory{{TOTAL_EXPOSURE}} — e.g. 10h 00m{{TOTAL_SUBS}} — integer only, e.g. 120{{LUM_TIME}} — e.g. 3h 00m (36 × 300s){{RED_TIME}}, {{GREEN_TIME}}, {{BLUE_TIME}} — per-channel exposure{{HA_TIME}}, {{OIII_TIME}}, {{SII_TIME}} — narrowband channels (omit if absent){{GENERATED_DATE}} — YYYY-MM-DD{{AUTHOR}} — observer name / location{{DSO_NOTES}} — free-text processing notes (omit section 11 if empty)
AstroBin JSON (astrobin.json)
Key fields and their sources:
| Field | Source |
|---|
title | "{{COMMON_NAME}} ({{DSO_ID}})" |
description | 3–5 sentences from research + acquisition summary |
link | "https://app.telescope.live/archive" if telescope.live, else "" |
imaging_telescopes[].name | telescope from project.json |
imaging_telescopes[].aperture | parsed from telescope string (mm) or null |
imaging_telescopes[].focal_length | parsed from telescope string (mm) or null |
imaging_telescopes[].type | heuristic from telescope string |
imaging_cameras[].name | camera from project.json |
imaging_cameras[].type | always "CCD" for dedicated astro cameras |
filters[].type | mapped from filter channel name |
filters[].bandwidth | parsed from filter string (nm) or null |
software | always [{"name": "PixInsight", "version": ""}] |
location.name | site from project.json |
location.coords | site_coords from project.json |
subject_type | mapped from object_type |
data_source | "AMATEUR_HOSTING" or "OWN" |
remote_source | "TELELIVE", "ITELESCOPE", or "" |
first_acquisition_date |
| Class | Color | Meaning |
|---|
tag-lum | mauve | Luminance channel only |
tag-rgb | blue | RGB channels |
tag-ha | red | Hα channel |
tag-oiii | sapphire | OIII channel |
tag-nb | yellow | Generic narrowband |
tag-lrgb | pink | LRGB combined step |
tag-warn | peach | Target-specific warning |
tag-tip | teal | Optional / tip |
Quality Standards
project.json:
- Single-line minified JSON — no indentation, no pretty-printing
description field contains the full plain-text PixInsight Description block with \n escapesref_alignment and ref_integration always empty strings ""sessions array sorted chronologically- All fields always present; use
"" or 0 for missing optional values, never null
doc/index.html:
doc/ directory created automatically if absent- All 4 Catppuccin flavors wired up: Latte, Frappé, Macchiato (default), Mocha
- Theme preference persists via
localStorage
- Fully self-contained — single HTML file, no external dependencies except Google Fonts
- Sections with no data omitted gracefully
- Session files in chronological order
- All scientific content from actual web searches — never fabricate measurements
- Uncertainty ranges cited when distance estimates vary between sources
doc/processing-checklist.html:
doc/ directory created automatically if absent (same run as index.html)- All 4 Catppuccin flavors wired up with the same theme switcher and localStorage key
- Checklist state (checked / unchecked steps) persists via
localStorage keyed by DSO slug
- Workflow mode (LRGB / RGB / HOO / SHO / HαRGB) correctly detected and applied
- Unused filter channels removed from data grid and legend
- Section numbers resequenced after any section removal
- Export filenames match the detected workflow mode
- All
{{DSO_ID}} occurrences in HTML attributes replaced with the slug version
STORAGE_KEY constant in the <script> block updated to checklist-{dso-slug}
astrobin.json:
- Pretty-printed with 2-space indent (human-readable)
title follows the format "Common Name (DSO_ID)"description is plain text, 3–5 sentences, no HTML or markdownlink set to "https://app.telescope.live/archive" for telescope.live data; "" otherwisefilters array contains one object per distinct channel — never merge channelsacquisition_details contains one object per channel with correct number and durationdata_source and remote_source correctly reflect the imaging sitesubject_type derived from object_type using the mapping table in 5c.6software always [{"name": "PixInsight", "version": ""}]mounts always [] unless user provided mount information explicitly- All numeric fields use numbers, not strings (
300 not "300")
- All unknown/unparseable fields use
null, never empty string ""
first_acquisition_date and last_acquisition_date in YYYY-MM-DD format
Process Icons - <name> - <workflow> workflow.xpsm:
- Filename exactly follows the pattern
Process Icons - <common_name> - <workflow_type> workflow.xpsm
- Workflow type derived from filter set detection (Step 5b.1):
LRGB, RGB, HOO, SHO, HaRGB
- All
<instance> IDs end in _instance; all <icon> IDs are clean names without suffix
histogramBins on LocalHistogramEqualization always uses enum value Bit12 — never an integerLRGBCombination only includes known valid parameters: clipHighlights, noiseReduction, layersRemoved, layersProtected, channels table, mL, mcICCProfileTransformation only includes: targetProfile, toDefaultProfile, renderingIntent, useBlackPointCompensation- Icon layout: single column at
xpos=2000, ypos starts at 40, increments 40 per icon, 80 gap between phases
PixelMath_Rescreen expression always ~((~starless)*(~stars)) — description reminds user to match image IDs- Narrowband PixelMath expressions use XML-escaped
< as <
- XPSM workflow type matches the checklist workflow detected in Step 5b.1 — never hardcoded
Edge Cases
| Situation | Handling |
|---|
| DSO not well-documented | Note gaps; still generate all three outputs with available data |
| Directory path given but empty | Ask user to paste filenames manually |
| No session files provided | sessions: [] in JSON; omit Section 08 from index.html; use — in checklist |
| Galaxy / cluster instead of nebula | Skip narrowband tip cards; adapt physical description |
| User skips optional questions | Use "" in JSON; use — placeholders in HTML |
| File extensions unexpected | Accept .png, .jpeg, .dng, .raf as well |
| User wants JSON only | Run Steps 1, 2, 4 only — skip Steps 3, 5, 5b, 5c, 5d |
| User wants HTML only | Run Steps 1, 2, 3, 5 only — skip Steps 4, 5b, 5c, 5d |
| User wants checklist only | Run Steps 1, 2, 5b only — skip Steps 3, 4, 5, 5c, 5d |
| User wants astrobin only | Run Steps 1, 2, 4, 5c only — skip Steps 3, 5, 5b, 5d |
| Smart telescope (no separate calibration) | calibration: "Handled internally by the instrument" — replace Phase 01 in checklist |
doc/ already exists | Overwrite HTML files silently — never error on existing directory |
| Pure narrowband (HOO / SHO) | Remove Luminance phase and LRGB combination phase from checklist |
| HαRGB blend | Keep LRGB structure; add PixelMath Hα blend step after ChannelCombination |
| Per-channel times not parseable | Use — in checklist data cells; do not fail |
| User wants XPSM only | Run Steps 1, 2, 4, 5b (detection only), 5d — skip Steps 3, 5, 5b (HTML), 5c |
| HOO workflow XPSM | Replace ChannelCombination with PixelMath_HOO; remove SPCC; add SCNR for magenta stars |
| SHO workflow XPSM | Replace ChannelCombination with PixelMath_SHO; same SPCC/SCNR substitution |
| Smart telescope XPSM | Remove Lum phase entirely; adjust phase numbering in icon layout |
