processinator 0.5.1

Astronomy image processing library

processinator

Astronomy image processing library. Converts linear FITS data into visually useful images using nonlinear stretch algorithms.

Install

pip install processinator

JAX is included by default for JIT-accelerated stretching on CPU.

GPU acceleration

For GPU-accelerated processing, install the appropriate extra for your hardware:

NVIDIA (CUDA 12):

pip install processinator[cuda]

AMD (ROCm):

pip install processinator[rocm]
# Then install the ROCm JAX wheel:
pip install --upgrade jaxlib-rocm  # see https://jax.readthedocs.io/en/latest/installation.html#amd-gpu-rocm

Apple Silicon (Metal):

pip install processinator[metal]

Check which backend is active:

import processinator
print(processinator.backend_name())  # "JAX (GPU)", "JAX (CPU)", or "numpy"

Usage

from processinator import stretch, fits_to_image, StretchAlgorithm

# High-level: FITS file → PNG/JPEG
image = fits_to_image("my_image.fits", output_path="stretched.png")

# Low-level: numpy array → stretched array
import numpy as np
from astropy.io import fits

data = fits.getdata("my_image.fits").astype(np.float64)
stretched = stretch(data, algorithm=StretchAlgorithm.MTF)

Algorithms

Algorithm	Best for	Description
MTF (default)	General use	Midtones Transfer Function with background neutralization
Arcsinh	Color preservation	Inverse hyperbolic sine, maintains color ratios
Log	High dynamic range	Logarithmic stretch
Linear	Quick preview	Simple percentile-based clip and scale
Statistical	Consistent output	Gamma correction targeting a specific median

License

AGPL-3.0