Installation of AstroImageJ on Mac OSX

The files in this directory are for installing the latest of AstroImageJ on Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems. The files are complete and do not require a previous installation of ImageJ or AstroImageJ.

If you already have installed version 2.0 of AIJ or later, simply use the update option on the AIJ toolbar 'Help' menu to have the most recent version. The user will need write permission to the directory where the software is installed to use this feature.

For more information and help, please see the

Please note that AIJ is not currently compatible with OS X 10.12 (Sierra), unless you have temporary superuser access to the OS. Eventually a signed version of AIJ will be released to solve this problem. In the meantime, follow the installation instructions given below and then take the additional steps needed to enable its use.

• Download and unzip AstroImageJ_3.0.0_20141206_mac.zip
• Copy the AstroImageJ folder to the applications folder.
• Double-click AstroImageJ.app on 32-bit systems or AstroImageJ64.app on 64-bit systems.
• Manage OS X and the Java installation
• OS X Versions after OS X 10.7 (Lion) do not have pre-installed Java. You may be prompted to install it the first time you install a Java application.
• When you see the message "To open AstroImageJ64.app you need to install the legacy Java SE 6 runtime", click 'More Info...' to download and install Apple Java 6 on your machine. After the download completes, open the Downloads folder and double-click the "JavaForOSX2014-001.dmg" file. Then double-click "JavaForOSX.pkg" and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the package installation.
• With OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion), you may get the message "AstroImageJ64 is damaged and can't be opened". To work around this problem, go to System Preferences ->Security & Privacy -> General and set "Allow applications downloaded from:" to "Anywhere". You can restore the original setting once AstroImageJ is running the first time.
• AstroImageJ does is not compatible with Oracle Java 7 on OS X versions at this time.
• These steps are required for OS X 10.12 (Sierra)
  • Open the Terminal app from the /Applications/Utilities/ folder and then enter the following command syntax: "sudo spctl --master-disable".
  • Hit return and authenticate with an admin password.
  • Relaunch System Preferences and go to "Security & Privacy" and the "General" tab.
  • You will now see the "Anywhere" option under "Allow apps downloaded from:". Select this option.
  • Start AIJ and set up your memory settings as needed (see below).
  • Close AIJ.
  • After running AIJ the first time, enter the following command syntax to re-enable GateKeeper (AIJ will continue to work normally): "sudo spctl --master-enable".
• You may need to increase the amount of memory allocated to AIJ using AIJ_Toolbar->Edit->Options->Memory & Threads. Enter the amount of memory in MB that you want allocated to AIJ. It is recommended to NOT exceed 2/3 of the physical memory installed in your system. For example, if your machine has 8 GB of memory, enter a memory size up to ~5500 MB.
• Click "OK" and close AIJ. Restart AIJ to use the new memory settings.
• Finally, upgrade to the latest version of AIJ by using the built-in update feature. Go to AIJ_Toolbar->Help->Update AstroImageJ. The "Upgrade To:" box will default to the latest version of AIJ. Click "OK" and three files will be downloaded and installed in the proper location in the installation directory structure (again, you need write access to the installation directory). After the files have been installed, AIJ will automatically close.
• Restart AIJ to use the updated version.

After this installation procedure, AIJ can be started by double-clicking either the AstroImageJ.app or the AstroImage64.app icons. Either app can be dragged to the Dock to provide convenient access for starting AIJ.

DONE!