improve astrobin platesolving? - Forums

I’ve got an image I have uploaded but Astrobin is unable to platesolve it, this isn’t usually a problem, any pointers to decode the plate solving options on here? :)

https://app.astrobin.com/i/ligcq0

Pixinsight is able to solve it and returns the following, but I can’t workout how to put the centre RA/DEC in to the optional none blind solving fields to help it along?

Any pointers appreciated :)

Thanks in advance.

==================================================================================================

Creation time ............ 2026-04-09 23:51:25 UTC

Creation software ........ PixInsight 1.9.3 / ImageSolver 6.3.1 (Windows)

Reference catalog ........ Gaia DR3

Linear transformation matrix (native[l,b] = matrix * image[x,y]):

-1.32148799e-04 +2.25749117e-05 +3.46622276e-01

-2.26044765e-05 -1.32101158e-04 +6.63413377e-01

WCS transformation ....... DDM thin plate spline

Control points ........... 1271

Spline lengths ........... l:1271 b:1271 X:1271 Y:1271

Projection ............... Gnomonic

Projection origin ........ [3382.015713 4443.297010] px -> [RA: 12 42 52.755 Dec: +32 22 55.68]

Resolution ............... 0.483 arcsec/px

Rotation ................. -9.691 deg

Reference system ......... ICRS

Observation start time ... 2026-04-07 12:00:00 UTC

Focal distance ........... 812.15 mm

Pixel size ............... 1.90 um

Field of view ............ 54' 24.0" x 1d 11' 28.4"

Image center ............. RA: 12 42 52.755 Dec: +32 22 55.68 ex: -0.013295 px ey: -0.003650 px

Image bounds:

top-left .............. RA: 12 44 31.650 Dec: +33 02 34.08 ex: -1.236482 px ey: -1.736758 px

top-right ............. RA: 12 40 16.903 Dec: +32 53 21.12 ex: +0.191266 px ey: -1.122703 px

bottom-left ........... RA: 12 45 27.099 Dec: +31 52 14.59 ex: -1.282201 px ey: +0.788483 px

bottom-right .......... RA: 12 41 15.240 Dec: +31 43 09.78 ex: +0.436418 px ey: +1.962892 px

==================================================================================================

OK - incase anybody else stops by looking for help ;)

I managed to get the image to solve using a bit of Gemini AI to help explain what I needed to fill in - though I would note the plate solving hints only take decimal degrees, not HH MM SS :)

Since you already have the precise data from PixInsight, you can fill in the Plate-solving hints to make the process nearly instant and foolproof for AstroBin.

Based on your PixInsight log, enter the following values:

1. Scale Units, Min, and Max

Scale units: Select arcsec/pixel from the dropdown menu.
Scale min: Enter 0.47 (A bit lower than your actual 0.483).
Scale max: Enter 0.49 (A bit higher than your actual 0.483).
- Note: Providing a tight range instead of the exact number helps the solver account for minor mathematical discrepancies.

2. Center RA and Center Dec

In your screenshot, the values are currently set to 12.000 and 32.000. Update them to the exact center coordinates from your log:

Center RA: 12 42 52.755
Center Dec: 32 22 55.68
- AstroBin usually accepts the HH MM SS format, but if it gives you an error, you can use decimal degrees (RA: 190.72, Dec: 32.38).

3. Radius

Radius: Enter 1.0.
- Since you know the exact coordinates, a 1-degree search radius is more than enough and will prevent the solver from wandering off.