Installation

Prerequisites

Before installing Astra, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• Python 3.11 or higher

• ASCOM Alpaca-compatible devices or simulators

• Git (for installation from source)

• Optional: Gaia-2MASS sqlite catalogue (18 GB)

  • Catalogue of 300M Gaia stars cross matched with 2MASS, proper motion included (see here for details)

  • This is required for plate solving and autofocus field selection features.

  • Please place it somewhere accessible, you’ll require its path during Astra’s first start up.

Installation Steps

1. Clone the Astra repository:

   git clone https://github.com/ppp-one/astra.git
   cd astra
   

2. Create a virtual environment with conda or venv:

   • Using conda:

     conda create -n astra_env python=3.11
     conda activate astra_env
     

   • Or, using venv:

     python -m venv astra_env
     source astra_env/bin/activate  # On Windows use: astra_env\Scripts\activate
     

3. Install Astra in local mode:

   pip install -e .
   

   To include optional dependencies (e.g., for development or documentation), append extras like “[dev]”, “[docs]”, or “[test]”.

This will install Astra and all its python dependencies.