Starfinder

In the two-year period 2025-2026, we carried out the service 'Translation and optimization of the Starfinder image analysis software' [*] for INAF - Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bologna (OAS).

The new 2.0 version of the software is developed as part of the service introduces several changes, starting with the architecture and programming languages used. The algorithms previously developed in the IDL language (which requires a license for its use) have been ported and optimized for the Python language, which allows for greater readability and maintainability of the codes themselves as well as their dissemination to the entire scientific community that has been using this language for many years.

Another important update is the use of a new graphical interface. Modern and intuitive, it is developed as a client-server web application. The GUI is written with the VueJS 3.0, Pinia, and Tailwind CSS frameworks, while the server is also developed in Python. Everything runs locally on the user's machine quickly and easily.

Finally, with a view to future applications on new generations of telescopes, new features have been introduced, such as code optimization for large images and image matrix management.

Starfinder can be downloaded from the INAF GitLab webpage

[*] Contract data

Title: "Traduzione e ottimizzazione del software per analisi di immagini Starfinder"
Funded: The contract was funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, CIG B250988711
- CUP C33C22000640006 (STILES - Strengthening the Italian Leadership in ELT and SKA, PNRR Mission 4, Component 2, Investment Line 3.1)
- CUP C53D23000810006 (Woman measuring stars: a comprehensive strategy for the exploitation of adaptive optics data, PRIN 2022, ERC Sector PE9 'Universe Sciences').

Disclaimer

This contract was funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Links

Publications

Schreiber et al, Starfinder: from IDL to open-source Python software for empirical PSF modeling and crowded-field analysis in high-resolution imaging, Proc. SPIE 14150, Adaptive Optics Systems X, 141505U (19 Aug 2026) DOI: 10.1117/12.3103565
Ricci et al, The new Starfinder for PSF modeling and image analysis: a free software in Python with a web user interface, Proc. SPIE 14155, Software and Cyberinfrastructure for Astronomy IX, 141555H (19 Aug 2026) DOI: 10.1117/12.3103385
Tantalo et al, Globular clusters as diagnostic to verify adaptive optics performance, Proc. SPIE 14150, Adaptive Optics Systems X, 1415003 (19 Aug 2026) DOI: 10.1117/12.3104204