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N.I.N.A. Plugin Overview

The AstroManager N.I.N.A. plugin is the link between planning and acquisition.

What the Plugin Actually Does

The plugin allows N.I.N.A. to work against your AstroManager schedule instead of forcing you to hard-code every target choice into the sequence itself.

In practical terms, it can:

  • connect N.I.N.A. to an AstroManager client by license key
  • execute AstroManager instructions inside Advanced Sequencer
  • ask AstroManager which target should run next
  • report session status, capture data and more back to AstroManager
  • update progress as imaging goals are completed

What the Plugin Does Not Do

The plugin does not replace N.I.N.A.'s normal responsibilities. The N.I.N.A. settings for the equipment, autofocus etc. are still as important as before. But AstroManager might simplify this in future releases.

That division is: AstroManager chooses the work. N.I.N.A. performs the work.

Easy Setup

For most users, the practical setup is very simple.

  1. Enter the client license key in the plugin settings.
  2. Build a N.I.N.A. sequence that uses AstroManager's scheduling logic.

That sequence setup means:

  • use the AstroManager Loop Condition
  • place the AstroManager Target Scheduler inside that loop
  • keep your normal startup, trigger, and shutdown instructions around it

See Use AstroManager in Sequences.

If The Imaging PC Loses Connection Mid-Session

Temporary API connection loss does not stop the night.

The plugin keeps a local cache of the important settings, targets, and scheduling data it needs, so N.I.N.A. can continue working even if the imaging PC loses connection to AstroManager during the session.

That cached mode can continue for up to 36 hours before a reconnection is required so the plugin can confirm that the client license is still valid.

Once the imaging PC connects to the AstroManager API again, the captures that were taken while offline are sent back and will still count toward imaging goals, target progress, and overall project completion.

We are also working on ways to support a fuller offline N.I.N.A. mode in the future.

Best Practices

  • Do not try to use AstroManager until N.I.N.A. itself is already stable.
  • On a dedicated imaging PC, configure N.I.N.A. to start automatically with Windows so AstroManager can reconnect and remote-control it more reliably after reboots.
  • Validate progress reporting on a small test night before trusting a large unattended session.

Where to Go Next

  1. Installation
  2. Use AstroManager in Sequences
  3. Troubleshooting