Astrophotographers grappling with cross-platform compatibility issues and cumbersome desktop software have a new option: eise.app, a browser-based tool that performs planetary image stacking entirely within the user's browser using WebAssembly and WebWorkers. This approach eliminates traditional installation headaches and OS-specific limitations.

Developer Tijmen van der Meer created eise.app after experiencing significant frustrations trying to run existing planetary stacking software like AutoStakkert4!, Planetary System Stacker, and Lynkeos on his ARM-based MacBook. Dependency issues, Wine compatibility problems, instability, and poor user interfaces were common hurdles.

"As a web developer, I saw an opportunity to make something simpler that works directly in your browser, regardless of your operating system," van der Meer explains on the project's website.

Initially considering server-side processing, van der Meer pivoted to a client-side solution for practicality: "Instead, eise.app does a chunk of the work in your browser using WebAssembly and WebWorkers, which turns out to be quite fast."

How eise.app Works

  1. Upload: Users upload a planetary video file or sequence of image frames (up to 2GB).
  2. Analysis: The application analyzes all frames directly within the browser.
  3. Frame Selection: It automatically selects the top 30% best-quality frames based on the analysis.
  4. Stacking & Processing: Selected frames are aligned and stacked, followed by post-processing to produce a single, sharpened final image.

The tool integrates capabilities inspired by Planetary System Stacker but executes them client-side. This architecture offers several advantages:

  • Cross-Platform Accessibility: Runs on any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) regardless of underlying OS (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS).
  • No Installation: Eliminates dependency hell and complex setup.
  • Cost-Effective Scalability: Avoids expensive server costs by leveraging user hardware.
  • Lower Barrier to Entry: Simplifies the process for beginners intimidated by traditional software setup.

While browser-based, the tool still requires substantial local computational resources. Users encountering memory limitations are advised to reduce the number of frames imported from their source video.

Van der Meer positions eise.app as a potential workflow improvement for experienced astrophotographers and an accessible starting point for newcomers who might otherwise abandon the hobby due to software frustrations. The project is open to feedback and contributions via its GitHub repository.

This development highlights the increasing capability of web applications to handle demanding computational tasks traditionally reserved for native desktop software, driven by advancements in WebAssembly and modern browser APIs. It represents a tangible shift towards more accessible, platform-agnostic scientific computing tools.

_Source: eise.app_