Frequently Asked Questions

What is DeepSkyLog?

DeepSkyLog keeps your imaging sessions in one place: frame metadata, equipment, projects and progress. You can import the FITS collection you already have with the free DeepSkyLog Uploader or the CLI, or connect the live NINA plugin. Files from AsiAir, KStars/Ekos, Voyager and NINA work as import sources.

Only metadata is sent. Your FITS files stay on your own storage, so this is a catalog and not an image backup. What you see depends on what your software recorded.

Who is DeepSkyLog for?

For astrophotographers who want to keep track of their sessions, sort frames by project, target and equipment, see their mosaics and sky coverage on a sky map, and follow their integration goals.

Do I need special equipment?

No. DeepSkyLog reads FITS headers, so it works with any setup. Import them with the DeepSkyLog Uploader or the CLI, select files in the web app, or connect NINA for live uploads. You can track any telescope, camera or filter set.

Features & Functionality

What file formats are supported?

FITS. DeepSkyLog reads the standard FITS headers, from files written by any capture software.

How should I import a large existing collection?

Use the DeepSkyLog Uploader or the CLI. Start with one target from one night and the matching equipment and location. Check the target, filters and metadata in the web app, then import the rest in batches, one batch per equipment and location.

The CLI is available for Windows (x86-64), Linux (x86-64) and macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon). The Uploader is free on every plan; the CLI is included in the trial and the Full plan.

Why does Windows warn about the DeepSkyLog Uploader?

I sign the Windows app as Metasys, my own small company, through which I publish DeepSkyLog and its apps. SmartScreen also goes by how widely an app has been downloaded, so until then Windows may still say “Windows protected your PC”. Check that the publisher is Metasys, then click More info and Run anyway. Download the app only from this site. On a computer managed by an administrator, ask them first, and do not turn off the system’s protection. The Uploader guide has the details.

Why are some quality metrics missing?

HFR, FWHM, eccentricity, guiding and weather values are only there if your software recorded them. Importing a file cannot recreate a guiding or weather history that was never written. The DeepSkyLog Uploader measures star metrics on your computer, so files without them still get HFR, FWHM and eccentricity.

Can I organize frames into projects?

Yes. A project holds the data of one target. You can group frames by target (for example “M31 Andromeda”), attach an equipment profile, set goals and follow the progress, and see all sessions of the project.

Does DeepSkyLog support multiple imaging locations?

Yes. Create a location for your backyard, a remote site or a club observatory. Each location has its own statistics.

What is the Sky Map feature?

The Sky Map uses Aladin Lite. It shows target positions, the sky coverage of your frames and your mosaic layouts.

NINA Integration

How does the NINA plugin work?

After each exposure the plugin uploads the frame metadata. The image itself is not uploaded. It assigns the frame to your Equipment and Location, and updates the project statistics.

The NINA Integration guide has the installation and configuration details.

Can I watch a session while it is running?

Yes. With the plugin enabled, the Live page shows the session as it happens: where the mount is pointing, focuser and camera temperatures, guiding, and a timeline of events such as autofocus runs with their focus curves, meridian flips, roof movements and equipment problems. It updates on its own, so you can leave it open on a phone or a second screen.

Within the telemetry retention window you can pick an earlier night in the session picker or open a project’s log. Frame metadata is stored separately from this short-lived telemetry.

Do I need to keep NINA running?

Only while you image. The plugin uploads the metadata as the frames are captured, so after your observatory PC shuts down at sunrise, the whole night is already in DeepSkyLog.

Can I use DeepSkyLog without NINA?

Yes. Importing an existing collection is a full way to use DeepSkyLog. Use the DeepSkyLog Uploader or the CLI with FITS files from AsiAir, KStars/Ekos, Voyager or NINA. The Uploader measures star metrics locally and, when you open it again, offers to scan the folders that gained frames since. On the Free plan, use the Uploader or the Import Data module of the web app.

Equipment & Tracking

How do equipment profiles work?

A profile combines a telescope, a camera and filters. You attach it to projects, and DeepSkyLog tracks the usage hours and the performance metrics (HFR, guiding) for each item.

Can I track multiple telescopes?

Yes. Create a separate profile for each telescope and camera combination, including borrowed equipment.

Mosaics

What are mosaics in DeepSkyLog?

A mosaic is a group of projects that together cover a larger area of the sky. DeepSkyLog can detect mosaics from your project names and show the full sky coverage on the sky map.

The Mosaics guide explains the naming patterns, auto-detection and panel positions.

Collaboration

How does collaboration work?

You can open a project to other contributors. Everyone adds frame metadata to the same project, and every frame is tagged with its contributor. Access is controlled with four roles: Owner, Admin, Member and Viewer.

The original FITS files stay with each contributor. Share the image files separately when you are ready to process the combined data.

The Collaboration guide explains the setup, the roles and how frames are routed.

Pricing & Billing

Is there a free trial?

Every new account gets a free trial with:

• 20 projects
• 4,000 frames (200 per project)
• All features

The CLI and the NINA plugin are included in the trial and the Full plan. The Free plan supports web imports and the DeepSkyLog Uploader, within its limits.

What happens after the trial?

Your account moves to the Free plan: 20 projects, 200 frames per project, the sky map and weather, with web imports. If you want the CLI or the NINA plugin after the trial, the Full plan costs $5.99/month and has unlimited projects, frames and all features.

What payment methods do you accept?

Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) and PayPal. Payments go through Paddle, which also takes care of tax and VAT.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. Your account stays active until the end of the billing period, then it goes back to the Free plan. Your data is kept for 30 days after cancellation.

Technical Support

How do I get help?

• Docs: the Documentation has guides and references
• FAQ: you are already here
• Email: write to me at support@deepskylog.space - I read and answer every message myself

Do you have an API?

Yes, for subscribers: automated uploads, custom integrations, data exports and third-party tools.

Getting Started

How do I sign up?

1. Go to app.deepskylog.space
2. Create your account (you need to verify your email)
3. Set up your first location and equipment profile
4. Import one night of FITS metadata, or connect the NINA plugin

The Getting Started guide is a full walkthrough.

Do you offer onboarding help?

Start with the first-project walkthrough, or try the demo before you import anything. If you get stuck, send me a note with your capture software and what you are trying to do.

Still have questions? Write to me