Scheduled Targets¶

Scheduled Targets are the core of AstroManager's automation system. This page covers everything about adding, configuring, and managing your scheduled targets.

Adding a Scheduled Target¶

From Target List¶

1. Navigate to Saved Targets
2. Find your target in a list
3. Click "Schedule" on the target card
4. Configure settings and save

From DSO Database¶

1. Navigate to Deep Sky Objects
2. Search for your target
3. Click "Schedule" button
4. Configure settings and save

From Scheduler¶

1. Navigate to Remote Control → Scheduled Targets
2. Click "Add Target"
3. Search and select an object
4. Configure settings and save

Target Configuration¶

Basic Settings¶

Priority Guidelines¶

Status Options¶

Imaging Goals¶

Each target needs one or more imaging goals. See Imaging Goals for detailed information.

Adding Goals¶

1. In target edit view, go to Imaging Goals section
2. Click "Add Goal"
3. Configure filter, exposure, and count
4. Save the goal

Goal Properties¶

Multiple Goals¶

Most targets have multiple goals:

Broadband Example: - L: 300s × 60 frames - R: 300s × 30 frames - G: 300s × 30 frames - B: 300s × 30 frames

Narrowband Example: - Ha: 600s × 40 frames - OIII: 600s × 40 frames - SII: 600s × 40 frames

Observability Settings¶

Minimum Altitude¶

Set the minimum altitude for this specific target:

• Default: Uses observatory setting
• Custom: Override for this target (e.g., objects near horizon)

Meridian Handling¶

Configure meridian flip behavior:

Time Constraints¶

Optional time limits:

Progress Tracking¶

Completion Status¶

For each imaging goal:

• Progress Bar: Visual completion indicator
• Captured / Target: Frame counts
• Percentage: Overall completion
• Estimated Time: Remaining exposure time

Session History¶

View when frames were captured:

• Date and session
• Frames per session
• Filter breakdown
• Quality notes

Auto-Update¶

When connected via N.I.N.A. plugin:

• Captured count updates automatically
• Progress syncs in real-time
• Completion triggers status change

Target Actions¶

Edit Target¶

Modify target settings:

1. Click Edit on the target card
2. Update settings
3. Click Save

Pause Target¶

Temporarily exclude from scheduling:

1. Click Pause button
2. Target status changes to Paused
3. Click Resume to reactivate

Complete Target¶

Mark as finished:

1. Click Mark Complete button
2. Target status changes to Complete
3. Excluded from future scheduling

Delete Target¶

Remove from scheduler:

1. Click Delete button
2. Confirm deletion
3. Target is removed (images are preserved)

Duplicate Target¶

Create a copy with same settings:

1. Click Duplicate button
2. New target created with "(Copy)" suffix
3. Edit as needed

Bulk Operations¶

Select Multiple¶

Use checkboxes to select multiple targets for:

• Bulk Priority Change: Set same priority
• Bulk Status Change: Pause/activate multiple
• Bulk Delete: Remove multiple targets

Import from List¶

Add multiple targets from a target list:

1. Click Import from List
2. Select a target list
3. Choose objects to schedule
4. Configure default settings
5. Import all at once

Advanced Features¶

Target Templates¶

Save common configurations as templates:

1. Configure a target with your typical settings
2. Click Save as Template
3. Apply template to new targets

Exposure Templates¶

Link to saved exposure templates:

1. Create template in Settings → Exposure Templates
2. When adding goals, select From Template
3. Goals are populated automatically

Season Planning¶

Plan across seasons:

1. Add targets for upcoming seasons
2. Set status to Paused
3. Activate when season arrives

Tips¶