AstroBin Sky Mapper
A local, browser-based atlas that maps images from an AstroBin account or library onto Aladin Lite. Version 1.2.0-beta.6 opens with a north-up, 360° Hammer–Aitoff overview, draws projection-safe image footprints, and can optionally replace approximate AstroBin geometry with locally solved ASTAP footprints.
- North-up whole-sky Hammer–Aitoff view
- Projection-safe footprints and image previews
- Optional local ASTAP solving and caching
How to use it
Navigate or zoom the Aladin Lite sky and select a footprint to inspect its image and metadata. Choose outline or image-overlay mode, set the page size to control how many AstroBin images are drawn, and use Home to restore the north-up 360° × 180° Aitoff overview. Images without usable coordinates are omitted from the map and reported in the server log.
Install beta.6 on Windows
- Install Node.js 22.13 or newer and use a current WebGL-capable browser.
- Download the beta.6 ZIP below and extract it to a writable folder.
- Run
Start-AstroBinSky.bat. On first launch, add your AstroBin username, API key, and secret to the localconfig.json. - Save the file and return to the launcher. The atlas opens locally at
127.0.0.1:8787.
Hosted update: 3 November 2026
Explore 158 of my AstroBin images using Sky Mapper in the top menu. The updated renderer avoids repeated layout measurements while drawing footprints. Portfolio data was refreshed on 3 November 2026; this is a published snapshot, not a live feed.
What beta.6 changes
Startup and Home now preserve a complete east–west whole-sky view with north up. Status and page controls are centered between Aladin’s native controls, and loading an image no longer replaces the initial overview.
Known limitations
Footprint accuracy depends on coordinates and field metadata supplied by AstroBin. ASTAP improves geometry when suitable local source files are available. The hosted edition maps a public snapshot of my AstroBin portfolio without requiring visitors to sign in. The Windows edition connects to your own account using credentials stored locally.
Windows 10 or 11 is required for the supplied launcher. Internet access, Node.js 22.13+, and personal AstroBin API credentials are required. ASTAP and a suitable star database are optional and installed separately.