Start Here¶
Platform Orientation
AstroManager helps astrophotographers plan targets, organize long-running projects, decide what should run next, and keep track of what was actually captured over many nights.
It sits above the acquisition layer. With N.I.N.A. it adds automation, scheduler handoff, remote monitoring, and remote control. Without N.I.N.A. it is still a strong planning, progress-tracking, observability, and sub-analysis platform.
Questions Answered By AstroManager¶
What Should I Image Next?
Use target search, observability filters, bookmarks, and Sky Atlas with Astrobin / Moon-Avoidance integration to decide what is actually worth running.
What Should Be Imaged Tonight?
Let AstroManager choose the next viable target from your active plan instead of rethinking the night manually every time conditions shift.
What Is The Progress Of My Targets?
Track unfinished work per target, per filter, per panel, and per project so you do not lose overview across many sessions.
Which Captured Subs Are Good?
Review captured images, analyze sub quality, and keep a cleaner record of what was actually worth keeping.
What Is The Status Of My Observatories?
Check remote status, follow what each rig is doing right now, and step in when needed instead of guessing.
If those are the questions you want the platform to answer, you are in the right place.
The Basic Workflow¶
Plan
Search targets, compare observability, and keep candidates in bookmarks until they are worth committing to.
Commit Targets
Turn the saved bookmarks into active targets with imaging goals, priorities, and more.
Imaging
Use the AstroManager N.I.N.A.-Plugin Scheduler so N.I.N.A. can ask AstroManager what should happen next.
Monitor
Check status remotely, review what the rig is doing, and step in when needed instead of guessing.
Review
Let completed work flow back into AstroManager so tracking progress, image grading, etc. can happen automatically.
Main Areas of the Product¶
Planning
Search the sky, compare targets, save ideas, and decide what belongs in your active queue.
Scheduling
Use targets, imaging goals, templates, and mosaics to describe what you actually want to collect.
Execution and Monitoring
Run the night with the plugin, monitor the rig remotely, and keep the acquisition state tied back to the plan.
Who This Is Written For¶
This documentation assumes you already understand the basics of astrophotography and N.I.N.A. setup, e.g.:
- connecting and configuring equipment
- plate solving, autofocus, and guiding
- exposure planning and filter strategy
This is not a beginner tutorial for astrophotography itself. It is a guide to using AstroManager effectively inside an imaging workflow.
Recommended Next Pages¶
If you prefer to learn by doing, skip "Core Concepts" and jump straight to Account Setup.