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AstroPlanner Beta Testing

Introduction

Anyone is free to download and test the latest beta version of the application. Please note that beta versions of the application have a built-in expiration date that is 120 days after the release date. After that date, you can still use it, but you'll be "nagged" to download a more recent release. This is to prevent bugs being reported on older beta versions that have already been fixed in later releases.

Please discuss beta issues only on the Beta Testers mailing list. Click here to join/leave the list.

Click here for more information on how to report a bug.

V2.4 Notes:

This page last modified: 2024/11/10 11:30 (Pacific time)

Download

VersionRelease DateExpiry Date
2.4.1b12024/08/24120 days from Release Date

Macintosh

64-bit Application (.dmg)Download218.4MB64-bit version. Intel-based Mac with MacOS 10.14 or later. Apple Silicon-based Mac with MacOS 11 or later.
64-bit Application (.dmg)Download164.3MBSpecial version for MacOS 10.11 through 10.13. Intel-only.

Windows

32-bit Application (.exe)Download135.6MiB32-bit version. Installer. Windows 8.1 or later
32-bit Application (.exe.zip)Download135.1MiB32-bit version. Zipped installer
64-bit Application (.exe)Download131.5MiB64-bit version. Installer. Windows 8.1 or later
64-bit Application (.exe.zip)Download131MiB64-bit version. Zipped installer
64-bit Application (.exe.zip)Download187.4MiBSpecial 64-bit version for Windows 7 SP1 through 8.0.
32-bit Application (.exe.zip)Download196.7MiBSpecial 32-bit version for Windows 7 SP1 through 8.0.

Both platforms

User Manual (.pdf.zip)Download82.8MiBV2.4 beta user manual

Note: Beta versions of the application typically do not include the user manual or scripting manual in order to reduce download size.

Release Notes

A list of unresolved bugs can be found here, and feature requests here.

Version: 2.4.1b2
Release Date: Soon
Fixes: 7, Enhancements: 4

ID:
7866

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/10/26

Vertical size change of Object list and Observations lists is not responsive

In the Observations window, when Widgets are showing, dragging the "handle" to increase the vertical height of the Object list section (and thereby decreasing the height of the Observations list section) results in the inability to reverse the change and decrease the height (back to where it was) of the Object list section.

Furthermore, the vertical height of the Object section jumps in size such that only 2 or 3 Observations can be seen unless the Observations list is scrolled.

This is very annoying if 3 or more Observations of an object are present because the Observations section has been made too "short" and can't be changed back to a useful height.

Turning off the Widgets display allows one to increase and decrease the height of the Object list section as expected. Also, there is no "jump" when changing the vertical height.


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7831

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/10/17

MainWindow.SortCompareRows: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Function MainWindow.SortCompareRows( MainWindow, int64, int64, int64, int64, string, pListBox.SortDirections, byref int64 ) as boolean
2: Function MainWindow.ObjectList_RowComparison( MainWindow, ObjectListbox, int64, int64, int64, byref int64 ) as boolean
3: Sub DesktopListBox.Sort()
4: Sub MainWindow.SortObjectList( MainWindow )
5: Sub MainWindow.MultiSortObjectList( MainWindow, boolean )
6: Sub MainWindow.SortObjects( MainWindow )
7: Sub MainWindow.SortListPopup_Action( MainWindow, SelfLoadingPopup, string )
8: Sub SelfLoadingPopup.Event_Action( string, int64 )
9: Sub APPictureButton.DoAction( string, int64 )
10: Sub APPictureButton.Event_Pressed()
11: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

I am doing some experiments: I tried to sort the list of a plan with the button at the bottom « sort list » on the transit time. The same error happens as when I click on the head of the column. I tried to save the plan (created with the former version) and reopen it but the problem stays the same.


Resolution:
Fixed. Hopefully.

ID:
7865

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/10/17

GotoDialog.GetRADec: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Sub GotoDialog.GetRADec( GotoDialog, byref double, byref double )
2: Sub MainWindow.CentreFoVAtCoordinates( MainWindow )
3: Sub MainWindow.FoV_MenuAction( MainWindow, CMMCanvas, string, string, string )
4: Function CMMCanvas.Event_ContextualMenuItemSelected( DesktopMenuItem ) as boolean
5: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

In the FoV "center FoV at coordinates" window, I accidentally entered the value "60" in the declination seconds window.


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7873

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/10/17

Selecting objects in the WDS catalog

The WDS catalog is perhaps unique, in that different components of a double star have identical ID's.

When extracting the information for all components of a double star, it would be very useful if the search would result in all components of that double star (read: all matching ID's) were selected.

For example, the double star STF123, per attached screenshot: it has 4 components (A through D), all of which currently need to be manually selected to be added to a planfile. The search function in a catalog (the WDS specifically, but perhaps other, too) would benefit greatly from a user selectable option "select all objects with matching ID's".

Attachment: VAvW 2024-10-06 om 09.56.07.jpg

Resolution:
Implemented.

ID:
7876

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/10/15

Remove requirement for SMTP parameters

Remove the requirement to specify an outgoing SMTP service to send messages to AstroPlanner support.


Resolution:
Implemented.

ID:
7874

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/10/10

Add KStars as an external (planetarium) app

Add KStars as an external (planetarium) app. Mac and Windows.

Analysis:
Can only sync Kstars' FoV to reflect AstroPlanner's - not the other way around (at this time).

Resolution:
Implemented.

ID:
7868

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/09/25

Script no longer working as before


These two lines of code no longer work in latest beta version 2.4.1b1

ImageTime = ImageTime.ParseDate(obj.UserField(TargetNumberFieldName).Value)
Plan().LocalDateTimeSynchronous = ImageTime

definition of ImageTime
dim ImageTime as new Date

ParseDate always returned the Date and time form of the string stored in the UserField

The Plan display then updated correctly after recalculating the plan for this date and time.

Now this fails silently and the plan reverts to the current date and time - causing a total failure of the script logic

Will have to revert to previous beta of Astroplanner where the same script works perfectly


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7871

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/09/25

Add additional eyepiece to printed Finder Charts

Add at least one additional eyepiece to printed Finder Charts, so I can show medium and high magnification.

Resolution:
Implemented. Added 3 additional eyepiece options. If chosen, the largest FoV eyepiece will define the field of view, and the rest will be drawn as annotated circles within the field of view.

ID:
7870

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/09/23

ASCOM Unparks the telescope on connecting

When the telescope is connected (and ASCOM is used), AstroPlanner tries to Unpark the mount, when it wasn't previously parked causing the mount to slew uncontrollably.

Analysis:
Forgot to check AtPark before attempting to Unpark. Note that this is only an issue with scope mounts that can be parked.

Resolution:
Fixed. Verified by Peter G.

ID:
7863

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/26

Searching for PK027-03.2 does not succeed

Searching for PK027-03.2 does not succeed, even though there is at least on catalogue containing it.

Analysis:
An issue with PK and PNG object searches.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7829

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/24

Long term visibility widget shows black crosses

Version 2.4 release. Also was in 2.4b25.
If horizon is enabled, some of the red crosses are shown as black (whether the item is below the specified horizon or not).


Analysis:
Not (completely) fixed in V2.4.1b1. There's an issue if an upper horizon is used.

Resolution:
Fixed. Issue no longer occurs if an upper horizon is defined.

Version: 2.4.1b1
Release Date: 2024/08/24
Fixes: 17, Enhancements: 2

ID:
7789

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/24

Possible memory leak issue

I am experiencing performance issues. AP just slows down over time (with no scripting). Also, the use of images in the FOV tab causes the “Computing” message to be displayed for a few seconds when switching between objects. I did try using AP on a lower powered laptop and it was slow. The redraw of the UI was painful in some cases. If I turn off images, then The FOV tab is pretty good but over time the slowdown is quite bad.

Analysis:
I couldn't find any obvious memory leak issues. User verifies that this is no longer happening. However, the memory cache option was basically non-functional. I have refactored it to be more efficient (memory-wise)

Resolution:
Fixed. Well, the memory cache issue anyway.

ID:
7861

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/23

ObservationWindow.EditObservation: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Function ObservationWindow.EditObservation( ObservationWindow ) as boolean
2: Sub ObservationWindow.obs_DoublePressed( ObservationWindow, StripedListBox )
3: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

Closed the observation database by hitting Cmd+W, immediately followed by Cmd+S and this exception popped up.


Analysis:
The error indicates a double-click of the observation list. Not sure what is going on here, but I added some code to avoid it happening in the future.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7862

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/22

FindCityDialog.FindCity: Out Of Bounds Exception

Exception Type: Out Of Bounds Exception
Exception Message: (Error near B)

1: Sub FindCityDialog.FindCity( FindCityDialog )
2: Sub FindCityDialog.TypingTimer_Action( FindCityDialog, Timer )
3: Sub DesktopWindow.ShowModal( DesktopWindow )
4: Sub Utility.ShowModalFromDialog( extends DesktopWindow, DesktopWindow )
5: Sub SetupWizardDialog.FindPlaceBtn_Pressed( SetupWizardDialog, APPushButton )
6: Sub APPushButton.Event_Pressed()
7: Sub DesktopWindow.ShowModal( DesktopWindow )
8: Sub App.Event_Opening()
9: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

trying to find a place in New Mexico
message= (Error near B)


Analysis:
I think the other changes I already made should fix this.

Resolution:
Fixed. Hopefully.

ID:
7845

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/15

App.OpenFileFromDisk: I/O Exception

Exception Type: I/O Exception
Exception Number: 60

1: Sub TextInputStream.CheckForError()
2: Function TextInputStream.ReadLine( TextEncoding ) as string
3: Function App.OpenFileFromDisk( FolderItem, boolean, int64, int64, int64, int64 ) as MainWindow
4: Function App._FileOpen_Action() as boolean
5: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


number=60


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7833

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

MainWindow.Maximise: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Sub MainWindow.Maximise( MainWindow, boolean )
2: Sub MainWindow.MaximiseTimer_Action( MainWindow, Timer )
3: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7857

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

ObjectListbox.Number: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Function ObjectListbox.Number( int64 ) as int64
2: Function MainWindow.FindListRow( MainWindow, int64 ) as int64
3: Sub MainWindow.UpdateObject( MainWindow, PlanObject, string )
4: Sub MainWindow.CommitObjectListChange( MainWindow )
5: Sub MainWindow.ObjectListTimer_Action( MainWindow, Timer )
6: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()

User description/s of above error trace:

a. Opened the application and saw this.

b. Opened the application with an observing plan that had 672 objects.

c. opened the application


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7853

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

FindCityDialog.FindCity: Out Of Bounds Exception

Exception Type: Out Of Bounds Exception
Exception Message: (Error near B)

1: Sub FindCityDialog.FindCity( FindCityDialog )
2: Sub FindCityDialog.TypingTimer_Action( FindCityDialog, Timer )
3: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

The city I noted doesn't exist in the list of towns

Analysis:
The issue occurs when you delete the search field contents. It tries to search on a blank field and falls over.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7847

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

CURLConnection.Get: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Function CURLConnection.Get( string, FolderItem, int64 ) as boolean
2: Function Utility.HTTPGet( string, FolderItem, int64, byref int64, string, string ) as boolean
3: Sub MainWindow.SevenTimerChart( MainWindow )
4: Function MainWindow._Observation7TimerChart_Action( MainWindow ) as boolean
5: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

triggering 7Timer chart


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7844

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

MainWindow.DrawConstellation: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception

1: Function MainWindow.DrawConstellation( MainWindow, Graphics, Constellation, uint64, PlanObject ) as ConstellationPicture
2: Sub MainWindow.DSSPictureThread_Run( MainWindow, APThread )
3: Sub APThread.Event_Run()

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7843

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

ComputeDarkTime.data: Nil Object Exception

Exception Type: Nil Object Exception
Exception Message: (A B C D t=2024-06-12 22:55:05 iday=-1 twEnd=2024-06-10 21:00:00 iday=0 twEnd=2024-06-11 21:00:00 iday=1 twEnd=2024-06-12 21:00:00 E twstart=nil twend=21:00 E4 vStart=nil vEnd=21:00 F)

1: Sub ComputeDarkTime.data( MainWindow, int64, string, bjectField, boolean )
2: Sub PlanObject.Data( MainWindow, int64, string, bjectField, boolean )
3: Sub PlanObject.ComputeVisibility( MainWindow, SiteResource )
4: Function PlanObject.AddObservation( MainWindow, PlanObservation ) as PlanObservation
5: Sub MainWindow.DuplicateObservation( MainWindow )
6: Sub MainWindow.DuplicateObservationBtn_Action( MainWindow, APPictureButton, string, int64 )
7: Sub APPictureButton.DoAction( string, int64 )
8: Sub APPictureButton.Event_Pressed()
9: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


message=(A B C D t=2024-06-12 22:55:05 iday=-1 twEnd=2024-06-10 21:00:00 iday=0 twEnd=2024-06-11 21:00:00 iday=1 twEnd=2024-06-12 21:00:00 E twstart=nil twend=21:00 E4 vStart=nil vEnd=21:00 F)


Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7842

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

PlanObject.Serialise.Set: JSONException

Exception Type: JSONException
Exception Message: lexical error: invalid bytes in UTF8 string.


1: Sub Xojo.ParseJSON( string )
2: Sub JSONItem.Constructor( string )
3: Sub JSONItem.Load( string )
4: Sub PlanObject.Serialise.Set( int32, string )
5: Function ObjectListbox._EditPaste_Action() as boolean
6: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

Tried to paste rows from clipboard into existing plan using “Edit” and then “Paste” from menu in title bar.
message=lexical error: invalid bytes in UTF8 string.

Resolution:
Fixed. I hope.

ID:
7841

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/09

ImageManagementWindow.DeleteSelectedImages: DatabaseException

Exception Type: DatabaseException
Exception Message: cannot start a transaction within a transaction
Exception Number: 1

1: Sub Database.CheckForError()
2: Sub Database.BeginTransaction()
3: Sub ImageDatabase.Delete( int64 )
4: Sub ImageDatabase.Delete( int64() )
5: Sub ImageManagementWindow.DeleteSelectedImages( ImageManagementWindow )
6: Sub ImageManagementWindow.DeleteBtn_Pressed( ImageManagementWindow, PDPushButton )
7: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()


User description of above error trace:

Using Image Manager as I tried to delete an image that showed "Cannot open image #243[A]" instead of the real image I uploaded. "Repairing damage image database" is running for more than a week
number=1
message=cannot start a transaction within a transaction


Analysis:
I believe this is related to report #7834

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7856

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/08/04

Improve site Find... function

Add an interactive map showing the location of the city within the state /province / country. Correct the all-uppercase US place names to title case (current upper case).

Resolution:
Implemented.

ID:
7851

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/01

City missing

To locate the observation city, my country Colombia is found, but the capital city, Bogota, is not found. Can you correct that?

Analysis:
Seems that I forgot to add larger cities to the database.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7852

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/08/01

DateExtensions.AsDateTime: InvalidArgumentException

Exception Type: InvalidArgumentException
Exception Message: Month out of range. Attempted to convert Date(28296, 10465, 0, 0, 0, 0)

1: Function DateExtensions.AsDateTime( extends Date ) as DateTime
2: Sub APDateControl.Value( assigns Date )
3: Sub PlanWizardDialog.OpenStuff( PlanWizardDialog )
4: Sub PlanWizardDialog.OpenTimer_Action( PlanWizardDialog, Timer )
5: Sub DesktopWindow.ShowModal( DesktopWindow )
6: Sub App.NewPlanCreationWizard( MainWindow )
7: Function App._FilePlanCreationWizard_Action() as boolean
8: Sub DesktopApplication._CallFunctionWithExceptionHandling()

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7848

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/07/31

Export object list to APT format not working

I previously had this problem with earlier software. the export feature worked in version 2.3.2 but does not work in version 2.4.
When I try to export the astroplanner list to the ATP format, none of the objects show up.


Analysis:
Looks like a Windows-only issue.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7849

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/07/31

Scripting editor fixes

a. Scripting error line can be off-by-one if the script starts with one or more blank lines.
b. Pasting text can be in the wrong place if the script contains any multi-byte characters before the paste position.

Resolution:
Fixed.

ID:
7850

Status:
Implemented

Date:
2024/07/31

Scripting: additions to the framework

Add Astronomy class that allows some astronomical math stuff to be done without having to resort to including the code in the script.

Add Picture class that allows pictures (from picture files (JPEG, PNG, TIFF) to be loaded, saved, manipulated. Also gets FoV chart, Sky chart, Constellation, Images, etc. to be acquired, manipulated, and saved.

Resolution:
Implemented.

ID:
7834

Status:
Fixed

Date:
2024/07/31

ImageDatabase.AddImage: DatabaseException

Exception Type: DatabaseException
Exception Message: cannot start a transaction within a transaction
Exception Number: 1

1: Sub Database.CheckForError()
2: Sub Database.BeginTransaction()
3: Function ImageDatabase.AddImage( Picture, string, string, double, double, boolean, string, double, double, boolean, boolean, double ) as int64
4: Function ImageDatabase.AddUserImage( double, double, string, boolean ) as int64
5: Function ImageDatabase.AddUserImage( PlanObject ) as int64
6: Sub MainWindow.AddUserImage( MainWindow )
7: Sub MainWindow.ObjectList_MenuAction( MainWindow, ObjectListbox, string, string, string )
8: Sub AddHandler.Stub.63( string, string, string )
9: Function StripedListBox.ServiceMenu( DesktopMenuItem ) as boolean
10: Function StripedListBox.Event_ContextualMenuItemSelected( DesktopMenuItem ) as boolean


User description of above error trace:

About 2 weeks ago I lost a few images/fotos and this message appeared "Repairing damage image database". I left it working for 4 consecutive days but it didn't recover any of those missing images. Now everytime I star Astroplanner the same message comes up. I tried to add manualy these missing images but the system doesn't let me and when I try this error condition appears. What can I do?
number=1
message=cannot start a transaction within a transaction


Resolution:
Fixed. I hope.

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