This repository tracks everything needed to reproduce our automated deep-sky imaging runs: N.I.N.A. Advanced Sequencer templates, hardware specifications, plugin configurations, horizon masks, and supporting playbooks.
nina/templates/- Advanced Sequencer exports pulled straight from N.I.N.A.nina/plugins/- How we configure each plugin and the reminders we need when reinstalling.ops/- Runbooks covering night-to-night operations, mount setup, troubleshooting, and import/export SOPs.pixinsight/- Stacking and post-processing workflows executed in PixInsight.hardware/- Imaging rig specifications, spacing budgets, and filter notes.horizons/- Site-specific horizon masks (.hrz) and capture instructions.
Follow the guidance in AGENTS.md before contributing; most importantly, never store personally identifiable information (addresses, phone numbers, API secrets) in this repo.
- Template Library - export/import workflow and Template by Reference upkeep.
- Plugin Library - current plugin roster, integration notes, and links to official docs.
- Astro-Physics Mount Notes - APCC/APPM integration specifics for the Mach2GTO.
- Polar Alignment Runbook - combined Mach2 alignment and N.I.N.A. TPPA workflow.
- PixInsight SHO Processing Guide - stacking and post-processing workflow for narrowband data.
- PixInsight OSC Processing Guide - stacking and post-processing workflow for one-shot color data.
- Hardware Inventory - mount, optics, camera train, and filter specifications with derived imaging metrics.
- Horizon Profiles - recording skyline limits and importing them into N.I.N.A.
Our core automation relies on Sequencer Powerups for shared blocks, Remote Copy for data offload, Ground Station for alerts, and Shutdown PC for end-of-night power-down. The plugin notes capture any extra setup required.
The current imaging rig is an Astro-Physics Mach2GTO mount paired with a Stellarvue SVX152T refractor, MoonLite NiteCrawler WR35 focuser/rotator, Gerd Neumann CTU tilt unit, ZWO ASI6200MM Pro camera, ZWO 7x2" EFW, and Chroma 3 nm SHO filters plus luminance/dark slots. Full specs, spacing budgets, and filter links live in hardware/README.md.
- Keep templates synchronized with the live N.I.N.A. profile (staging import, simulator validation, then commit).
- Update the hardware inventory and plugin notes when gear changes, firmware updates, or new calibration workflows are introduced.
- Store session narratives, troubleshooting steps, and observing checklists under
ops/instead of embedding long prose in JSON templates. - In
ops/runbooks, format every reference list entry as a Markdown link so reviewers can jump straight to the source. - Honor the security checklist in
AGENTS.md: scrub PII, keep credentials in the ops vault, and document access-controlled assets separately.
- Populate the hardware documentation with current firmware versions and note which N.I.N.A. profiles are active.
- Record Ground Station notification channel choices and sample message templates once finalized.
- Capture import/export SOPs for templates and horizons so new operators can sync their environments confidently.