AstroBin CSV Generator for PixInsight

Note: This project was developed with the assistance of opencode.

A native PixInsight GUI script for generating AstroBin acquisition CSV files directly from FITS and XISF light frames.

Features

• Reads FITS and XISF headers
• Extracts exposure, gain, filter, temperature, date, telescope, site and camera metadata
• Groups frames by session, filter, gain, exposure
• Skips master frames automatically
• Generates AstroBin Bulk Import CSV files
• Saves settings between sessions

Installation (Recommended - Update Repository)

The easiest way to install and keep the script updated is using PixInsight's built-in update repository system:

1. In PixInsight, go to Resources → Updates → Manage Repositories
2. Click Add and enter this URL:

   https://robowarrior834.github.io/AstrobinPixinsight/updates/
   

3. Click OK to close the dialog
4. Go to Resources → Updates → Check for Updates
5. Select AstroBin CSV Generator and click Apply
6. Restart PixInsight when prompted

The script will appear under Scripts → Utilities → AstroBin CSV Generator.

To update: Simply check for updates again — PixInsight will automatically download and install new versions.

Installation (Manual) - Depercated

1. Extract AstroBin.7z.
2. Copy the astrobin folder into PixInsight's src/scripts folder.
3. Open Scripts → Feature Scripts.
4. Click Add and select the folder.
5. Run Scripts → Utilities → AstroBin CSV Generator.

Signing the Script (Maintainers)

PixInsight requires scripts and update repositories to be signed so users can trust and install them. Signing uses a secure keys file (.xssk) that must be kept private and is excluded from git.

1. Generate signing keys (one-time) — In PixInsight, run Scripts → Development → Signing Keys. Check Generate Signing Keys, select CPD (or Local Signing Identity), choose an output path and a strong password, then run it. This creates your .xssk keys file (e.g. key.xssk). Do not commit this file to the repository.

2. Sign the script — Run Scripts → Development → Code Sign. Add AstroBinCSVGenerator.js to the list, select your .xssk keys file, enter its password and run. This generates AstroBinCSVGenerator.xsgn in the same folder. Re-sign every time the script changes.

3. Build the update package — Run the build script:

   .\build-package.ps1
   

   This zips the script and its .xsgn signature into updates\, and updates the sha1 and releaseDate attributes in updates\updates.xri.

4. Re-sign updates\updates.xri — Step 3 invalidates the repository signature, so run Scripts → Development → Code Sign again, add updates\updates.xri, select your .xssk keys file, enter the password and run. This appends a new <Signature> element to the XRI document.

5. Commit and push — Commit the updates\ directory (the .zip, updates.xri and the root AstroBinCSVGenerator.xsgn) and push to GitHub. Users will then see the update when they check for updates.

Contributing

This script is intended for educational purposes in the field of astrophotography. It is part of an open-source project and contributions or suggestions for improvements are welcome.

To contribute to this project, follow these steps:

1. Fork this repository.
2. Create a branch: git checkout -b <branch_name>.
3. Make your changes and commit them: git commit -m '<commit_message>'.
4. Push to the original branch: git push origin <project_name>/<location>.
5. Create the pull request.

Alternatively, see the GitHub documentation on creating a pull request.

License

This project uses the following licence: GNU General Public Licence v3.0.