CCDBLINK SOFTWARE

Blink Comparator Software for the ST-4

The CCDBLINK program is one in a series of programs to enhance the operation of the Model ST-4 Star Tracker and Imaging Camera.  The program allows you to load two image files, align them with sub-pixel accuracy, then blink the display between the two images:  Fixed objects remain steady whereas objects which have moved or have changed in brightness will blink.  The CCDBLINK program uses images files previously captured and saved with CCD  or CCDTRACK software that came with your ST-4.  The program runs in text mode when first started.  Text mode contains the pull down menus and dialog boxes used to set the parameters for displaying images, etc.
  

Figure 1

The menu driven program is very easy to use and the interface is quite similar to other ST-4 software packages such as CCD, CCDUTIL and CCDTRACK.  A sample screen shot of the text mode is seen above in Figure 1.   The user may allow the program to automatically set the background and range for the reference and source images, or these parameters may be adjusted by the user from the same dialog box.   The program switches to graphics mode when images need to be displayed or analyzed, such as after executing the Display command.   

Figure 2

Figure 2 is a screen shot of the program in graphics mode with the crosshair feature on.  By positioning the cursor and hitting the "B" (Background) key, the software uses the data under the cursor as representative of the background level for magnitude calculations.  By positioning the cursor and hitting the "S" (Star) key, the software uses the pixel position under the cursor as the reference position for separation measurements.  A similar routine is used for selecting two stars in the field for automatic rotation and alignment of the two images to be blinked.   Although simple looking, the analysis screen displays all of the following information in the upper left hand corner:  the pixel value directly under the crosshair, the smoothed value or average pixel value of the box of pixels centered under the crosshair, the magnitude of the object in the box of pixels centered under the crosshair, the diffuse magnitude or magnitude per square arcsecond of the object in the box under the crosshair, the separation in arcseconds between the current position of the crosshair and the position marked with the Star command, the orientation of the line between the current position of the crosshair and the position marked with the Star command, and finally the box size in pixels of the box used for the forgoing measurements.   The box size may be toggled from 3 x 3 to 11 x 11 pixels.    

Figure 3

Once two images have been automatically rotated and aligned, the user will see the alignment dialog box shown in Figure 3, above.  While the alignment process is automatically performed by the program, the user may make fine adjustments if necessary by changing the parameters set by the program.

By selecting "BLINK" the program will alternately display the two images as seen below: 

The screen shot above (Figure 4) shows two blinking images of Comet Austin taken 24 hours apart with an ST-4.   The comet's motion against the background stars is clearly seen and several very dim stars which were captured in only one frame appear to blink.

CCDBLINK software is now included with all new ST-4 Star Tracker and Imaging Cameras.