APEX user manual

Automated image processing with APEX

Basic procedure

If necessary, prior to the automated image processing adjust the script section [apex_geo_auto] and all relevant module sections in the APEX configuration file.

Put all light frames into one folder. In the same folder run the APEX script:

apex_geo_auto.py

The processing consists of two stages: 1) space object extraction, 2) cross-correlation of detections.

Depending on the settings in the APEX configuration file and on how successful was the processing, upon completion of its work the script may generate some of the following files:

-- <light_frame_filename>.fit.apex files (temporary "apex.Image" reference instances for the processing)
-- <light_frame_filename>.proclog files (single frame processing log)
-- apex_geo_auto.<UT-date>.<UT-time>.proclog (general script processing log)
-- <UT-date>_<station_code>.RES (measurements in the "telegram" format)
-- <UT-date>_<station_code>.xml (measurements in the "ISON" format)
-- frames.txt (list of frames where each object is present)
-- problems.txt (list of problematic frames)

In-process image calibration

To calibrate light frames during the image processing, put the required masterdark and masterflat frames into the same folder with the light frames, and enable calibration by setting the corresponding option disable_calib = 0 in the script section [apex_geo_auto] of the APEX configuration file. If necessary, adjust all other related sections in the APEX configuration file, such as [apex_calibrate] and others.

Processing of selected frames

To avoid processing of all light frames in the working folder and to process only selected light frames, run the script either with a filename mask:

apex_geo_auto.py <filename_mask>

or with a specified list of files (a plain ASCII text file with light frame filenames listed one per line):

apex_geo_auto.py @<listfile>

last updated: 06.05.2019