Auto upload of CCD images

[rogerg]

Hi all,

I want to have the most recent FITs image taken bymy SBIG converted to a JPG with auto levels done and uploaded to a website.

I've considered this for many months and have theories on how to do it, involving a bit of programming from myself. But, question is, is there an off-the-shelf way to do this ? I'm sure there are others that do it.

My best idea of an "off the shelf" type solution would be to bolt together various programs using scripting. Something like ... a windows schedule task which monitors the directory, runs a program like IrfanView to convert any images in it to JPG and then run a dinky VB6 exe or something which looks for the newest image and FTP's it to my host.

I could write a VB6 or MS Access app to do the whole thing, monitor the directory, run something like IrfranView or IRIS to do the autolevels and JPG conversion, then do the FTP. But just trying to save myself the work.

Any point and click off the shelf ideas?

Thanks,
roger.

[rogerg]

I've found a solution of sorts in the form of FitsCast (http://arnholm.org/astro/software/fitscast/index.htm).

It works reasonably well but haven't got date timestamp or object information for the most recent image. And histogram processing is by way of fixed values so some images may turn up awful. So I'll keep looking to improve it or find an alternative solution.

http://www.rogergroom.com/astronomy/latest_live_image

Roger.