# Guitastro library

GUITAstro stands for General Use of Instruments and Telescopes in ASTROnomy.

GuitAstro is a Python module that provides classes and methods to write easily Python scripts for astronomical observations. 

[GIT repository: https://gitlab.irap.omp.eu/guitastrolib/guitastro.git](https://gitlab.irap.omp.eu/guitastrolib/guitastro.git)

## Few basic examples of use

First example: Subtract a dark file dark.fit to a raw image messier63.fit and save the image m63.fits:
```
import guitastro
ima = guitastro.Ima()
ima.load("messier63.fit")
ima.sub("dark.fit")
ima.save("m63.fits")
```
Second example: Subtract a dark file dark.fit to a series of raw images messier63-1.fit to messier63-25.fit and save the images m63-1.fit to m63-25.fit:
```
import guitastro
imaseries = guitastro.ImaSeries()
imaseries.path("obs/my_raw_images")
imaseries.extension(".fit")
imaseries.sub("messier63-1.fit", "m63-", "dark.fit")
```
Guitastro will collect all the file names corresponding to messier63-*.fit before subtracting dark.fit to these files.

## How to install Guitastro?

```
git config --global http.sslVerify false	
git clone https://gitlab.irap.omp.eu/guitastrolib/guitastro.git
cd guitastro
python setup.py install
```

This install allow to import guitastro in any Python program.
For Guitastro developers read the documentation in the guitastro/docs folder for details.

## Guitastro functionalities

GuitAstro wraps the classical astronomical Python modules (AstroPy, etc.) and adds functionalities. They are dispatched into classes.

### Classes for image processing and analysis

- **Ima**: Manage one image. Load and save, processing, analysing. 
- **ImaSeries**: Manage a series of images applying the same processing to all images of the series. 
- **ImaStack**: Manage a series of images apply a processing to generate one output image. 
- **Visu**: Provides a graphical tool to display images.

### Classe for camera acquisitions

- **Camera**: Manage camera drivers. This class provides a simulated camera.
Additional classes can be added to Guitastro for specific drivers (ASCOM, INDI, Balser).

### Classes for angle conversions

- **Angle**: Manage angle formats and computations.
- **Coords**: Manage coordinates, spherical, cartesian.

### Classes for date conversions

- **Date**: Manage date formats and computations.
- **Durations**: Manage durations and computation with dates.

### Classes for ephemeris computation

- **Ephemeris**: Compute ephemeris of planets, minor planets, comets, artificial satellites. 
- **Mechanics**: Manage celestial mechanics.
- **Targets**: Manage old style ephemeris.
- **ExposureTimeCalculator**: Compute exposure time from an instrumental setup.
- **Voevent**: Manage clients for receiving VOEvents

### Classes for earth location definitions

- **Home**: Manage earth geographical coordinates formats.
- **Horizon**: Manage a local horizon line to define a site.
- **Site**: Manage geagraphical site defined by home, horizon and atmosphere.

### Classe to generate various maps

- **Maps**: Generation of earth or sky maps.

A complete documentation can be generated from .rst files in the folder doc/doc_rst

## History

GuitAstro is inspired by the software AudeLA written since 1999 by astronomers of the Toulouse region (France).

Why the name GuitAstro ?

- Official version: General Use of Instruments and Telescopes in ASTROnomy.
- Legendary version: GUITalens ASTROnomy

## Support and contact

The main author is alain.klotz@irap.omp.eu