Starguide - A Practical Guide to Astro-Photography

Some processes or scripts, like the Image Solver or  Blind Solver, require certain star catalogs or index files to be installed on your computer.

• Download the required index file, e.g. gdr3-idx-1.0.0-g17.xpsd from PixInsight — Software Distribution
• Move the file to the star database folder, e.g. ...\Astro\Databases
• Open the Gaia process : Process > All Processes > Gaia
• On the Gaia window click on the Preferences icon:
• Add the downloaded index file to the Gaia Preferences
  

To install and activate a local XPSD database server using e.g. APASS or Gaia catalogs follow these steps:

1. Download the catalog files from the PixIsight Software Distribution interface. Choose the the catalogs you need:
2. Download Gaia DR3/SP Small Set
   

Remark:  you must be logged into your PixInsight account to download the APASS databases!

3. Copy the downloaded files to a folder your computer, e.g. D:\Docs\Astro\Databases
   
   
4. In PixInsight goto PROCESS > StarCatalogs > APASS (or Gaia)
   
   
   Or Gaia 
   
   
5. In the APASS or Gaia window click on the took icon to open the settings:
   
   
   
6. Select the catalog files for APASS and Gaia and click OK

7. Close the Preference settings and the  window
8. The local star catalog is now available for plate solving and the Photometric Color Calibration process:
   

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