Observatory automation & astronomy software
Practical tools and personal expertise for your observatory, from roof control and weather monitoring to astrophotography workflows.
A personal journey in astronomy
Explore my telescope collection, observatories, and supernova images, along with Jonathan Faranda’s space shuttle mission experiment.
Explore my vintage telescope collection through photographs, including a 1965 Jaegers 4-inch f/15 build. A closer look at the instruments behind my interest in the sky.
View my telescope collection ↗Read the story behind my pre-discovery images of the supernova in M96, captured in May 1998, and explore research references documenting the value of these early observations.
Explore the supernova page ↗Discover Jonathan Faranda’s NASA experiment associated with the STS-91 space shuttle mission. Browse photographs and mission-history references on the original page.
View Jonathan’s mission page ↗Tour my observatories through photographs of Starry Nights Ranch, Hill Observatory, and the Deerlick Astronomy Village Observatory—settings for observing, imaging, and exploring the night sky.
Visit my observatories ↗05 / ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
Explore my AstroBin gallery for larger images and a closer look at my astrophotography.
Astronomy software & development
ASCOM drivers, imaging tools, workflows, and observatory automation. WeatherWatcher and SafetyMonitor now share one suite, with optional RainCloud sensing.
Version 0.16: control the motorized cover and flat-light brightness in N.I.N.A., with optional SVBONY heater control from 0–100%. Clearly labeled Gemini and SVBONY controls, high/low brightness mode, and improved shutdown.
Setup and N.I.N.A. usage guide ↗
ASCOM.CCDASTRO.GeminiFlatPanel
View project on GitHub ↗C# ASCOM Temma telescope driver with synchronized driver settings. The repository currently describes this project as alpha.
ASCOM.CCDASTRO.Temma
View project on GitHub ↗ASCOM Switch driver for Govee devices. See the repository for supported hardware and setup details.
GoveeSwitch
View project on GitHub ↗ASCOM Dome driver for observatory control using the Elk M1 Gold.
m1OASYS_NET
View project on GitHub ↗Fork of the central N.I.N.A. plugin manifest repository, containing plugin metadata, versioning, and update-source information.
nina.plugin.manifests
View project on GitHub ↗Process integrated linear color masters with a crop preview that returns automatically, configured BlurX settings, and optional HDR, Curves, local contrast, noise cleanup, saturation, and sharing export.
Workflow guide and installation
PixInsight-Workflow-Manager
View project on GitHub ↗ASCOM Dome driver for an Arduino-based rolling-roof observatory controller.
RRCI.Dome
View project on GitHub ↗Image-processing workflows and a processing manual for Siril and Seti Astro Pro.
Siril-and-Seti-Astro-Pro-Workflows
View project on GitHub ↗N.I.N.A. plugin that ranks deep-sky imaging targets for the active location and equipment.
TonightsBest-NINA
View project on GitHub ↗Local Arduino/RG-11 rain protection, NOAA GOES-East cloud information and optional Pushover warnings. The IR sensor is removed; cloudy or unavailable NOAA data never changes safety.
Explore rain protection, NOAA and Pushover ↗
Start with a 15 km cloud radius, ten-minute NOAA polling and a five-minute dry-out delay. Optional Pushover defaults: warn at 30%, clearing at 20%, thirty-minute cooldown.
WeatherWatcher2.ObservingConditions
Combined project on GitHub ↗WeatherWatcher suite links updated September 18, 2026. Browse the current list on GitHub ↗
A thoughtful approach to automation
CCDASTRO offers observatory automation consulting for astronomers and astrophotographers. Discuss your equipment, operating goals, and existing workflow to identify where automation can support your observing.
Whether you are planning an observatory or refining an existing setup, start with a conversation about what you want to achieve.
Ask about consulting ↗Start with your goals
Tell us about your telescope and mount, enclosure, control software, weather sensors, and how you intend to operate the observatory.
Include the tasks you want to simplify and any integration challenges you have encountered. These details help frame a productive discussion.
Explore the image gallery ↗
Beyond the equipment
Starry Nights Ranch is a private, invitation-only retreat in Central Florida. Discover a quiet prairie setting for astronomy, reflection, and appreciating the beauty of the night sky.
Discover the ranch ↗Questions about consulting, software, or CCDASTRO resources? Get in touch.