StellAlign

A precision collimation assistant for reflector telescopes using USB or astronomy cameras. Open-source and designed for astrophotographers.

Currently, this is only available as a python script and a Windows executable. Other platforms are coming soon.

Downloads

Check here for the latest builds: https://github.com/udayd/StellAlign/releases

Features

Key Features

1. The Anchor Workflow: A "True Center" calibration system. Circles can "Set the Anchor" (moving the main crosshair) or "Snap to Anchor" to ensure perfect optical concentricity.
2. Dynamic Masking: Inner and Outer masks with adjustable opacity to completely eliminate the "hall of mirrors" distraction in Newtonian reflectors.
3. Guided Assistant: A telescope-specific wizard that automates the creation, masking, and positioning of circles step-by-step for beginners.
4. Edge Detection: Cleans up the hall of mirrors and displays high contrast edges, allowing you to easily see the edge of each plane.
5. Advanced Camera Controls: Real-time Frame Averaging (Noise reduction), Software Gamma, Digital Zoom/Pan, and Arbitrary Rotation.
6. Accessibility First: Native support for UI scaling (up to 200%), Color-Blind safe palettes, high-contrast text overrides, dashed/dotted line styles, and a deep red Night Vision Mode to preserve dark adaptation.

Important Notes

• When using an astronomy camera, it will need a lens in order to focus. You can use a relatively inexpensive one ($22 on 2025-05-03) like a ZWO 150-degree Replacement Lens if it's threads fit your camera (or find one on Amazon). The advantage of this over a regular USB camera is that camera will fit your focuser properly, though you won't have the ability to autofocus.

TODOs

• Fix the interactive cursor shapes (pointing-hand vs forbidden) not consistently applying to enabled/disabled PyQt widgets.
• Create a build script or workflow for packaging the application on macOS (.app / .dmg).
• Create a build script or workflow for packaging the application on Linux (AppImage or .tar.gz).
• Implement a computer-vision powered Collimation Aid (Comet Tail, error HUD) to auto-detect reflections and guide real-time mechanical adjustments.
• ASCOM integration for non-ZWO cameras
• Create night mode icons
• Reverse up / down icons so down is on the left side of the slider and up is on the right

Installation

1. Clone this repository.

2. Install the requirements: pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Run the application:

   python main.py

Packaging to an Executable (.exe)

To build a standalone Windows executable, ensure you have PyInstaller installed (pip install pyinstaller), then run the following command from the root directory:

py -m PyInstaller --noconfirm --onedir --windowed --icon "assets/logos/logo-256x256.ico" --name "StellAlign" --add-data "assets/icons;assets/icons" --add-data "assets/logos;assets/logos" main.py

Alternatively, Windows users can simply run the included build.bat script. The compiled application will be generated inside the dist/StellAlign/ folder.