Frequently Asked Questions¶

Common questions about AstroManager and answers.

General¶

What is AstroManager?¶

AstroManager is a cloud-based astrophotography planning and management platform that integrates with N.I.N.A. to automate target selection, track imaging progress, and enable remote monitoring.

Do I need N.I.N.A. to use AstroManager?¶

The web application can be used standalone for planning and target management. However, automated scheduling and remote monitoring require the N.I.N.A. plugin.

Is my data safe?¶

Yes. All data is transmitted over encrypted HTTPS, stored securely in the cloud, and backed up regularly. We are GDPR compliant.

Can I use AstroManager offline?¶

The web application requires internet connectivity. The N.I.N.A. plugin requires connectivity for sync, but N.I.N.A. itself continues to function if connection is lost.

Account & Subscription¶

How long is the free trial?¶

28 days with full access to all features.

Do I need a credit card for the trial?¶

No credit card is required to start your trial.

What happens when my trial ends?¶

If you don't subscribe, access is suspended. Your data is preserved for 30 days, allowing you to resubscribe and restore access.

Can I cancel my subscription?¶

Yes, cancel anytime. Access continues until the end of your billing period.

What's the difference between monthly, yearly, and lifetime?¶

Monthly: €29/month, flexible, cancel anytime
Yearly: €290/year (~17% savings), annual commitment
Lifetime: €2,500 once, 5 years of access

N.I.N.A. Plugin¶

What version of N.I.N.A. is required?¶

N.I.N.A. 3.0 or later is required. The plugin is not compatible with N.I.N.A. 2.x.

How do I install the plugin?¶

Go to Plugins → Available in N.I.N.A., search for "AstroManager", and click Install. See Installation Guide for details.

The plugin won't connect. What should I do?¶

Check internet connectivity
Verify your account is active
Try logging out and back in
Check firewall settings
See Troubleshooting

Can I use the plugin with multiple computers?¶

Yes, but only one computer can be actively connected per observatory at a time.

Scheduling¶

How does the scheduler decide which target to image?¶

The scheduler considers: priority, current altitude, time remaining above horizon, moon interference, and completion progress. See Scheduler Overview.

Can I manually override the scheduler's choice?¶

Yes, you can pause targets, adjust priorities, or use Single Target Mode to focus on a specific object.

Why isn't my target being scheduled?¶

Common reasons: - Target is below minimum altitude - Moon distance requirements not met - All imaging goals are complete - Target status is Paused - Higher priority targets are available

How do I schedule a mosaic?¶

Enable Mosaic Mode on a scheduled target, configure rows/columns and overlap. See Mosaic Panels.

Imaging¶

How are exposures tracked?¶

The N.I.N.A. plugin reports completed exposures to AstroManager automatically. Counts update in real-time.

Can I add exposures I captured before using AstroManager?¶

Yes, manually edit the captured count on imaging goals to include previous frames.

What filters are supported?¶

Any filters defined in your N.I.N.A. profile. Filter names must match exactly between N.I.N.A. and AstroManager.

How does moon avoidance work?¶

Configure per-filter rules for minimum moon distance and maximum phase. The scheduler only selects filters that meet current conditions. See Moon Avoidance.

Equipment & Remote Monitoring¶

What equipment can be monitored?¶

Any equipment connected to N.I.N.A.: mount, camera, focuser, filter wheel, rotator, guider, weather station, safety monitor, dome, flat panel.

Is there a mobile app?¶

The web application is fully responsive and works on mobile browsers. A dedicated app may come in the future.

Can I control my equipment remotely?¶

Currently, remote monitoring is the primary feature. Some control actions (pause, skip) are available. Full remote control may be added in future versions.

How much bandwidth does monitoring use?¶

Typically 2-5 MB/hour without thumbnails, 10-50 MB/hour with thumbnails enabled.

Troubleshooting¶

Why are altitude calculations wrong?¶

Check that your observatory coordinates are correct. Even small errors affect calculations significantly.

Targets are showing as not observable when they should be.¶

Verify observatory coordinates
Check minimum altitude setting
Check timezone configuration
Verify computer time is accurate

My session data isn't showing up.¶

Check plugin connection status
Verify correct observatory is selected
Check for sync errors in plugin logs

Contact¶

Can't find an answer? See Contact Support.