This is a tool for modifying the constellation lines of the script "AnnotateImage" in PixInsight (https://pixinsight.com/) to suit your preferred way of connecting stars. You can create a plain text file in a simple format to define the 'constellation lines definition file' and use this tool to generate the configuration file of AnnotateImage (ConstellationLines.json). You can also replace only the constellation lines of specific constellations in the existing configuration.

This tool works in an environment where Python 3 is installed. It has been tested and confirmed to work in the following environment.

• Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
• Anaconda 4.12.0
  • python 3.7.13
  • astropy 4.3.1
  • astroquery 0.4.6

The constellation lines definition file is a file saved in UTF-8 encoding and follows the format of the following example text.

# constellation lines in Japan

Cnc:
ι-γ
γ-η-θ-δ-γ
θ-β
δ-α

Gem:
31-24-43-55-78-66-46-27-13-7-1
55-54
46-34

• Lines starting with # are comments.
• Empty lines or lines consisting only of whitespace characters are ignored.
• Lines ending with : specify the 3 letters abbreviation for a constellation.
  • From this line until the next abbreviation line, the definitions of constellation lines correspond to the abbreviation specified here.
• Lines consisting of integers or Greek letters separated by - represent constellation lines.
  • Each integer or Greek letter represents a star connected by the constellation line.
    • Integers represent Flamsteed numbers.
    • Greek letters represent Bayer names.

The configuration file for constellation lines of "AnnotateImage", ConstellationLines.json, can be found in the following directories:

• Linux: /opt/PixInsight/src/scripts/AdP/
• macOS: /Applications/PixInsight/src/scripts/AdP/
• Windows: C:\Program Files\PixInsight\src\scripts\AdP\

Since ConstellationLines.json will be overwritten by the output of this tool, please make sure to back up the original file beforehand.

Furthermore, when "AnnotateImage" is updated, there is a possibility that ConstellationLines.json will be reverted to its original state or replaced with a new version. Therefore, it is advisable to also backup the ConstellationLines.json file generated by this tool, as needed.

If the constellation lines definition file is lines.txt and the output file is ConstellationLines.json, execute the following command-line:

python clg.py lines.txt ConstellationLines.json

In this case, the contents of ConstellationLines.json will be completely removed and replaced with the constellation lines defined in lines.txt.

To merge the constellation lines defined in lines.txt with the existing ConstellationLines.json, specify the -m option.

python clg.py -m lines.txt ConstellationLines.json

In this case, only the constellation lines corresponding to the constellations included in lines.txt will be removed from the existing ConstellationLines.json, and the constellation lines defined in lines.txt will be added to the remaining constellation lines.

To apply the generated ConstellationLines.json, overwrite the file in the aforementioned save location. The changes will take effect from the next execution of "AnnotateImage". Restarting PixInsight is not required.

MIT License.