Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about DeepSkyLog

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is DeepSkyLog?

DeepSkyLog is a professional astrophotography data management platform designed to help you organize, track, and analyze all your imaging sessions. Whether you’re using NINA, AsiAir, or manually uploading FITS files, DeepSkyLog keeps everything organized in one place.

Who is DeepSkyLog for?

DeepSkyLog is perfect for astrophotographers who want to:

  • Keep track of all their imaging sessions
  • Organize frames by project, target, and equipment
  • Monitor equipment performance and usage
  • Plan mosaics and visualize sky coverage
  • Track imaging goals and progress

Do I need special equipment?

No! DeepSkyLog works with any astrophotography setup. You can:

  • Integrate directly with NINA imaging software
  • Upload FITS metadata files manually
  • Import from AsiAir or other platforms
  • Track any telescope, camera, or filter setup

Features & Functionality

What file formats are supported?

DeepSkyLog supports:

  • Metadata extraction from standard FITS headers
  • Batch imports from acquisition software

Can I organize frames into projects?

Yes! Projects are the core organizational unit in DeepSkyLog. You can:

  • Group frames by target object (e.g., “M31 Andromeda”)
  • Associate equipment profiles with each project
  • Set imaging goals and track progress
  • View all sessions for a specific project

Does DeepSkyLog support multiple imaging locations?

Absolutely. You can create location profiles for:

  • Your backyard observatory
  • Remote imaging sites
  • Club observatories
  • Each location tracks its own statistics

What is the Sky Map feature?

Our Sky Map uses Aladin Lite integration to:

  • Visualize target positions
  • Show frame coverage on the sky
  • Plan mosaic layouts

NINA Integration

How does the NINA plugin work?

Our NINA plugin automatically:

  • Uploads new frames metadata after each exposure (the actual image data is not uploaded, just the metadata!)
  • Assigns frames to the Equipment and Location.
  • Updates project statistics in real-time.

Do I need to keep NINA running?

Only during imaging sessions. The plugin uploads frames metadata as they are captured, so once your observatory PC shuts down after sunrise, you’ll still have access to the session insights.

Can I use DeepSkyLog without NINA?

Yes! While NINA integration is convenient, you can:

  • Upload FITS files manually through the web interface
  • Use our desktop uploader tool. Desktop tool can monitor a folder and sync files in real time. The application can also calculate HFR metrics (star size) if the value is not present in the FITS metadata, this is handy when syncing files from e.g. AsiAir.

Equipment & Tracking

How do equipment profiles work?

Equipment profiles let you:

  • Define telescope, camera, and filter combinations
  • Track usage hours for each item
  • Monitor performance metrics (HFR, guiding stats)
  • Associate equipment with specific projects

Can I track multiple telescopes?

Yes! You can create unlimited equipment profiles for different setups. This is perfect if you have:

  • Multiple telescopes or cameras
  • Different imaging rigs
  • Borrowed or rented equipment

Data & Privacy

Where is my data stored?

All data is securely stored on our cloud infrastructure with:

  • Automatic daily backups
  • 256-bit encryption
  • Redundant storage across multiple data centers
  • 99.9% uptime SLA

Can I export my data?

Yes! You can export:

  • Project summaries
  • Frame lists and metadata
  • Equipment statistics
  • All exports available in CSV and JSON formats

What happens if I cancel?

If you cancel your subscription:

  • Your account remains active until the end of your billing period
  • You can download all your data before cancellation
  • We retain your data for 30 days after cancellation in case you want to return

Pricing & Billing

Is there a free tier?

Yes! Our Hobbyist plan is free forever and includes:

  • Up to 1,000 frames
  • 3 projects
  • 1 location
  • Basic equipment tracking

Can I upgrade or downgrade?

You can change plans at any time. Changes take effect immediately with prorated billing.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

  • All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover)
  • PayPal
  • Bank transfers for annual subscriptions

Do you offer annual billing?

Yes! Annual subscriptions receive a 20% discount. Contact us for details.

Technical Support

How do I get help?

We offer multiple support channels:

  • Email support (all plans)
  • Community Discord server
  • Documentation and guides
  • Priority support for paid plans

Do you have an API?

Yes! Observatory and higher plans include API access for:

  • Automated uploads
  • Custom integrations
  • Data exports
  • Third-party tools

Can I request features?

Absolutely! We love hearing from our users. You can:

  • Submit feature requests on GitHub
  • Vote on proposed features
  • Join our Discord community
  • Participate in beta testing

Getting Started

How do I sign up?

  1. Visit app.deepskylog.com/signup
  2. Create your account (email verification required)
  3. Set up your first equipment profile
  4. Create your first project
  5. Start uploading frames!

Is there a trial period?

Yes! All paid plans include a 14-day free trial. No credit card required for the free Hobbyist plan.

Do you offer onboarding help?

Yes! New users get:

  • Welcome email with quick start guide
  • Interactive tutorial in the app
  • Sample data to explore features
  • Access to our community Discord

Still have questions? Contact us or join our Discord community.