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Image Processing

Document Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: March 2026

The Science Scheduler includes an image processing pipeline that runs on uploaded FITS files. Processing extracts quality metrics, generates preview images, and performs plate solving (astrometry).

How Processing Works

When FITS files are uploaded from the NINA plugin, the server automatically runs them through the processing pipeline. You can also manually reprocess files or submit new processing jobs.

Processing Modules

The pipeline consists of several modules that run in sequence:

Module What It Does
Header Update Adds observation metadata to FITS headers (observer, project, target info)
Preview Generation Creates PNG preview images for quick visual review in the file browser
Plate Solving Performs astrometric solving to determine exact sky coordinates (uses ASTAP)
Quality Analysis Measures image quality metrics: FWHM, star count, background level, eccentricity
Quality Headers Writes quality analysis results back into the FITS headers

Automatic Processing

By default, files are processed automatically when uploaded. The pipeline:

  1. Receives the FITS file into a local processing buffer
  2. Runs each enabled module on the file
  3. Updates the file headers with results
  4. Generates preview images
  5. Uploads processed files to storage
  6. Cleans up the temporary buffer

Manual Reprocessing

If you need to reprocess a file — for example, after a plate solving failure or to regenerate previews — use the Reprocess option on the file detail page. Reprocessing runs at a higher priority than normal processing jobs.

Processing Results

Quality Metrics

After processing, each file shows quality metrics in the file browser and on the file detail page. See Quality Metrics for details on what each metric means.

Plate Solving

When plate solving succeeds, the file's exact sky coordinates are recorded. This enables:

  • Verification that the telescope was pointing at the correct target
  • Accurate coordinate metadata in FITS headers
  • Positional accuracy assessment

Plate solving requires ASTAP to be configured on the server.

Monitoring Jobs

Job Status

Processing jobs go through these states:

Status Meaning
Pending Queued, waiting to be processed
Running Currently being processed
Completed All modules finished successfully
Failed One or more modules encountered an error

Cancelling Jobs

You can cancel a pending or running job from the job details view. Only the job owner or an administrator can cancel a job.