This repository provides a comprehensive Windows batch script to simplify the installation of the astrophotography software N.I.N.A. (Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy) and a complete suite of essential tools, drivers, and utilities commonly used in professional astrophotography setups.
- User-friendly prompts for each software component
- Selective installation - choose only what you need
- Intelligent checking - skips already installed software
- Progress indicators with download progress bars
This script installs 14 essential components for a complete astrophotography setup:
- Installed via winget package manager
- Comprehensive astrophotography suite
- Automated telescope control and imaging
- Complete offline framing assistant cache
- Extracted to
C:\OfflineSkyMap - Enables offline sky map functionality in N.I.N.A.
- Version 7.0.2 from official GitHub releases
- Essential for telescope and camera communication
- Industry standard for astronomy device drivers
- Professional autoguiding software
- Installed via winget package manager
- Precise telescope tracking corrections
- Plate solving and astrometric analysis
- Downloaded from official SourceForge
- Essential for accurate telescope pointing
- High-density star catalog (5000 stars per square degree)
- Optimized for fields of view ≥ 0.6 degrees
- Required for ASTAP plate solving functionality
- Comprehensive planetarium software
- Installed via winget package manager
- Sky simulation and astronomical object tracking
- Precise time synchronization for astrophotography
- Ensures accurate timestamps for imaging sessions
- ASCOM telescope driver for SkyWatcher and Orion mounts
- Version 1.0.8.6 from GitHub releases
- Supports EQ8, EQ8-R, HDX110, AZ-EQ5GT, Sirius Pro AZ/EQ-G and other mounts
- Advanced telescope control system
- Version 1.0.43 from stellarjourney.com
- Arduino-based GoTo telescope controller
- Control software for OpenAstroTracker (OAT) mounts
- Version 1.1.8.0 from GitHub releases
- DIY star tracker and telescope mount control
- Direct serial/WiFi connection to OAT hardware
- Manual control, polar alignment, and mount configuration
- ASCOM telescope driver for OpenAstroTracker mounts
- Version 6.6.7.2 from GitHub releases
- Enables ASCOM compatibility for OAT mounts
- Integrates OAT with NINA, PHD2, and other ASCOM applications
- Supports GoTo functionality and tracking
- ASCOM driver for ZWO ASI cameras
- Version 6.5.30 from ZWO official downloads
- Essential for ZWO camera control and imaging
- Complete driver package for QHY CCD cameras
- Version 24.12.27.10 from QHY official downloads
- Includes ASCOM driver and native camera control
- ASCOM driver for ToupTek cameras
- Latest version from ToupTek official downloads
- Essential for ToupTek camera control and imaging
The script includes drivers for all major astrophotography camera brands:
- ZWO ASI - Popular choice for planetary and deep-sky imaging
- QHY CCD - Professional-grade cameras with advanced features
- ToupTek - Budget-friendly cameras with excellent performance
Multiple telescope mount control options:
- Green Swamp Server - SkyWatcher & Orion mounts (EQ8, EQ8-R, HDX110, etc.)
- OnStep - Arduino-based DIY GoTo controller
- OpenAstroTracker Control & ASCOM Driver - DIY 3D-printed star tracker and GoTo mount control
- ASCOM Platform - Universal device communication standard
- Stellarium - Planetarium software for object location
- Meinberg NTP - Precise time synchronization
- ASTAP + D50 Database - Plate solving for accurate positioning
- PHD2 - Professional autoguiding solution
The OpenAstroTracker is a popular open-source, 3D-printable telescope mount project:
- DIY 3D-printed mount - Complete hardware plans and 3D models available
- Arduino-based control - Uses Arduino Mega with stepper motor drivers
- Dual functionality - Works as both star tracker and GoTo telescope mount
- Open source - Hardware and software designs freely available
-
OAT Control - Standalone desktop application for direct mount control
- Manual mount operation and configuration
- Polar alignment assistance
- Firmware updates and diagnostics
- Direct serial or WiFi connection to mount
-
ASCOM Driver - Integration with astrophotography software
- Connects OAT to NINA, PHD2, and other ASCOM applications
- Enables automated imaging sequences
- GoTo functionality for object targeting
- Essential for integrated astrophotography workflows
Install both components if you own an OpenAstroTracker:
- OAT Control - For initial setup, configuration, and troubleshooting
- ASCOM Driver - For integration with your astrophotography software suite
- Windows 10 or newer (Windows 11 recommended)
- Internet connection (for downloading installers)
- Administrator privileges (for software installation)
- Sufficient disk space:
- Minimum: 2GB for basic installation
- Recommended: 8GB+ (includes 3.3GB Sky Map cache)
- Camera drivers: ~500MB each
- winget (Windows Package Manager - included in Windows 10/11)
- Download
NINA-Setup.batfrom this repository - Right-click and select "Run as administrator"
- Follow the interactive prompts
The script will prompt you to select which components to install:
Choose which programs to install:
Install NINA? (Y/N): Y
Install Offline Sky Map Cache. 3.3 GB? (Y/N): Y
Install PHD2? (Y/N): Y
Install ASCOM? (Y/N): Y
Install ASTAP? (Y/N): Y
Install D50 Star Database? (Y/N): Y
Install Stellarium? (Y/N): Y
Install Meinberg NTP Time Sync? (Y/N): Y
Install Green Swamp Server (ASCOM Driver)? (Y/N): Y
Install OnStep Telescope Control? (Y/N): Y
Install OpenAstroTracker Control? (Y/N): Y
Install OpenAstroTracker ASCOM Driver? (Y/N): Y
Install ZWO ASCOM Driver? (Y/N): Y
Install QHY CCD All-in-One Driver? (Y/N): Y
Install ToupTek ASCOM Driver? (Y/N): Y
- Checks for existing installations (skips if already present)
- Downloads selected components with progress bars
- Installs software silently where possible
- Verifies successful installation
- Cleanup removes temporary installation files
Typical installation times (depends on internet speed):
- Basic setup (NINA + ASCOM + PHD2): ~5-10 minutes
- Complete setup (all components): ~15-30 minutes
- Sky Map cache alone: ~10-15 minutes (3.3GB download)
- N.I.N.A.: Windows Package Manager (winget)
- Sky Map: nighttime-imaging.eu official downloads
- PHD2: Windows Package Manager (winget)
- ASCOM: GitHub Releases (ASCOMInitiative/ASCOMPlatform)
- ASTAP: SourceForge (astap-program)
- D50 Database: SourceForge (astap-program)
- Stellarium: Windows Package Manager (winget)
- Meinberg NTP: Official Meinberg download (meinberg.de)
- Green Swamp Server: GitHub Releases (rmorgan001/GSServer)
- OnStep: stellarjourney.com downloads
- OpenAstroTracker Control: GitHub Releases (OpenAstroTech/OpenAstroTracker-Desktop)
- OpenAstroTracker ASCOM: GitHub Releases (OpenAstroTech/OpenAstroTracker-Desktop)
- ZWO ASCOM: Official ZWO downloads (dl.zwoastro.com)
- QHY CCD: Official QHY downloads (qhyccd.com)
- ToupTek ASCOM: Official ToupTek downloads (touptek-astro.com)
- Download failures: Check internet connection and firewall settings
- Slow downloads: Large files like Sky Map cache take time
- Antivirus blocks: Add exclusions for astronomy software directories
- Installation errors: Ensure administrator privileges
- Missing components: Verify Windows Package Manager is available
- Driver conflicts: Uninstall old camera drivers before installing new ones
- ASCOM issues: Install ASCOM Platform before other drivers
- Multiple camera brands: Install only the drivers you need
- Driver conflicts: Don't install ZWO, QHY, and ToupTek unless you own cameras from each brand
- USB connection: Test camera connection after driver installation
If automatic installation fails, components can be installed manually:
- Download links are displayed during script execution
- Installation files are preserved in
%TEMP%directory temporarily - Check the script output for specific error messages
For manual installation or troubleshooting:
- ASCOM Platform (required for most drivers)
- Meinberg NTP (for time synchronization)
- Camera drivers (ZWO, QHY, or ToupTek as needed)
- NINA (main application)
- PHD2 (autoguiding)
- Stellarium (planetarium)
- Mount drivers (Green Swamp Server, OnStep, or OpenAstroTracker)
- ASTAP + D50 Database (plate solving)
- Sky Map cache (offline functionality)
- OAT Control should be installed first for initial mount setup
- OAT ASCOM Driver should be installed after ASCOM Platform
- Both components can be installed independently based on your needs
- Ensure your OpenAstroTracker firmware is compatible with the driver version
- NINA: 4GB RAM, modern CPU recommended
- Sky Map cache: 3.3GB disk space, improves offline performance
- Camera drivers: USB 3.0 ports recommended for best performance
- Plate solving: Fast CPU improves solving speed
- PHD2: Dedicated guide camera and mount with separate guide scope
- Total download size: ~6-8GB for complete installation
- Internet speed: Broadband recommended (10+ Mbps)
- Firewall: Allow curl.exe and PowerShell for downloads
This script is provided as is without warranty. Use at your own risk. The script downloads third-party software from their official sources — always verify URLs and installers before running.
- All downloads are from official vendor websites
- No modification of downloaded installers
- Script requires administrator privileges for installation only
- Temporary files are cleaned up after installation
- N.I.N.A. - Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy
- ASCOM Platform
- PHD2 Guiding
- ASTAP Astrometric Solver
- Sky Map Cache
- Stellarium
- Meinberg NTP
- Green Swamp Server
- OnStep
- OpenAstroTracker
- ZWO ASCOM
- QHY CCD
- ToupTek ASCOM
Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests to improve this script and expand support for other tools in the astrophotography ecosystem.
This project is open source. Please check individual software licenses for their respective terms.