NINA Integration Guide

Connect the DeepSkyLog NINA plugin for live frame metadata and session telemetry

The DeepSkyLog NINA plugin automatically uploads frame metadata as images are captured, so your projects stay up to date while you image. It sends metadata and session telemetry, not image files. Your original FITS files remain on your local storage. Available metrics depend on what NINA and your equipment record.

Prefer to import files you already have? Use the DeepSkyLog Uploader or the CLI for FITS collections from AsiAir, KStars/Ekos, Voyager, or NINA. Neither batch-import tool requires NINA.

Prerequisites

• NINA (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy) version 3.0 or higher
• A paid DeepSkyLog account (the free web imports alone don’t enable the plugin)
• Internet connection during imaging sessions

Installation

Step 1: Install the Plugin from NINA

1. Open NINA
2. Go to Options > Plugins
3. Search for “DeepSkyLog” in the available plugins list
4. Click “Install”
5. Restart NINA

Step 2: Log In to Your Account

1. In NINA, go to Options > Plugins > DeepSkyLog
2. Enable the plugin by toggling Plugin Enabled to ON
3. Click the Account link to sign in with your DeepSkyLog credentials (this opens the DeepSkyLog web app in your browser)
4. The plugin will show “Connected as [your username]” once authenticated
5. Select the matching Location and Equipment from the dropdowns
6. Optionally enable Allow SNAPSHOTs if you want single test frames to be uploaded too
7. Click Refresh if your locations or equipment profiles were recently updated

Usage

Automatic Project Association

The plugin associates incoming frame metadata with projects. After your first captures, check the resulting target, filters, location, and equipment in the web app before leaving a longer sequence running.

During Imaging

Once configured, the plugin works automatically:

1. Start your NINA sequence as normal
2. After each exposure, the plugin:
   • Reads the FITS header metadata from the captured frame
   • Sends only the metadata to DeepSkyLog (no image files are transferred)
   • Associates the frame with the correct project
   • Groups it into a session
3. Your images stay on your local drive - DeepSkyLog never receives image files
4. View real-time updates in DeepSkyLog web interface

What Gets Uploaded

The plugin sends metadata only. No image files are transferred.

Sent:

• FITS header metadata (filter, exposure, temperature, HFR, FWHM and so on)
• Session information (time, location, conditions)
• Equipment details, matched automatically
• Target coordinates (RA/Dec)

Not sent:

• Light frames or any other image files, which stay on your local drive

Darks, flats and bias frames can be left out with a setting in the plugin. Their metadata is not used for anything yet, so leaving them out keeps your sessions tidy.

Network Settings

Configure network behavior:

• Retry on failure: Automatically retry on network errors
• Timeout: Maximum time to wait for each metadata upload (default: 60s)
• Background sync: Don’t block NINA while sending metadata (recommended)

Live Session Telemetry

While a sequence runs, the plugin reports your session to DeepSkyLog every few seconds: mount position, camera and focuser temperatures, guiding, safety state, and events such as autofocus runs (with their V-curves), meridian flips and roof movements.

You will find it in two places:

• Live - the current session as it happens
• Project details > Log - expand a night to see the session that captured it: autofocus results with HFR, the focus curve for each run, and a guiding summary

Telemetry is only sent while you are signed in, and only when the plugin is enabled.

Data Retention

Live telemetry is diagnostic data with limited retention. Frame metadata is stored separately and is not part of this telemetry cleanup; this is not a promise of permanent account-data retention.

Per-exposure metadata can include HFR, guiding, and temperature when recorded. It is not a replacement for the full telemetry timeline. Original FITS files remain on your own storage.

Troubleshooting

Plugin Not Appearing in NINA

1. Ensure NINA is version 3.0 or higher
2. Check your internet connection (plugin list is fetched online)
3. Try restarting NINA
4. Check NINA logs: %localappdata%\NINA\Logs

Metadata Upload Failing

Check Account Connection

• Verify the plugin shows “Connected as [username]” in the plugin settings
• Try logging out and logging back in
• Ensure your DeepSkyLog account is active

Plugin Updates

Keep the plugin up to date:

1. Check for updates in NINA: Options > Plugins > Check for Updates
2. Restart NINA after updating

Support

Need help with the NINA plugin?

• Email: write to me at support@deepskylog.space - I read and answer every message myself