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My Overview of NINA (Free image capture software)

Acquisition Sequencing Deep Sky How-to
Rouz AstroStuart Taylor
•27 replies•1.7k views
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Wanted to share a quick overview for those not very familiar with NINA.

Its not very detailed but more of an introduction which I hope will be helpful. Link:https://astrogeartod...-imaging-suite/
 https://astrogeartoday.com/capturing-the-cosmos-in-10-steps-free-n-i-n-a-imaging-suite/


Rouz
Tom Marsala avatar
Tom Marsala avatar
Thank you, Rouz!
I am currently getting up the nerve to make the switch.  It looks a little intimidating as I have used Backyard EOS for years.  But I am ready to get autofocusing involved and BYE does not provide this currently.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Tom
Well Written Respectful
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Tom Marsala:
Thank you, Rouz!
I am currently getting up the nerve to make the switch.  It looks a little intimidating as I have used Backyard EOS for years.  But I am ready to get autofocusing involved and BYE does not provide this currently.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Tom

Thanks Tom, it looked almost alien to me but give it a few sessions.

The support groups are amazing and the software can be used for basic setups as well as fully automated large scopes in an automated dome (as in my case).

All these DSO images are taken using NINA:

https://www.astrobin.com/users/Rouzbeh/


Rouz
Kevin Morefield avatar
Kevin Morefield avatar
Thanks for this Rouz, it's time I gave it a try.

Kevin
Dale Penkala avatar
Dale Penkala avatar
Wanted to share a quick overview for those not very familiar with NINA.

Its not very detailed but more of an introduction which I hope will be helpful. Link:https://astrogeartod...-imaging-suite/
 https://astrogeartoday.com/capturing-the-cosmos-in-10-steps-free-n-i-n-a-imaging-suite/


Rouz

Nice write up Rouz! 

Dale
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Kevin Morefield:
Thanks for this Rouz, it's time I gave it a try.

Kevin

Hope it was helpful, I've been using it exclusively for a few years now. 

You could use both the basic sequence or the advanced one can get as complicated as your imagination.

Good luck,


Rouz
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Dale Penkala:
Wanted to share a quick overview for those not very familiar with NINA.

Its not very detailed but more of an introduction which I hope will be helpful. Link:https://astrogeartod...-imaging-suite/
 https://astrogeartoday.com/capturing-the-cosmos-in-10-steps-free-n-i-n-a-imaging-suite/


Rouz

Nice write up Rouz! 

Dale

Thanks Dale, glad you liked it.

Rouz
Stuart Taylor avatar
Stuart Taylor avatar
NINA is fantastic! I used to use APT but I much prefer NINA and it's all I use now
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Stuart Taylor:
NINA is fantastic! I used to use APT but I much prefer NINA and it's all I use now

SAme here, tried APT for a bit, Prefer NINA by far.
Christian Großmann avatar
Christian Großmann avatar
Me, too.

I used to use BYE and later APT. APT is not bad at all, but the user interface and the floating windows are hard to handle on a small laptop screen out in the fields. The user interface was not as easy to understand. So I looked around for a while. I tried an Astroberry Pi with KStars/Ecos which worked quite good, but was not always stable the whole night through. So I finally made the decition to give NINA a try and: Oh boy! This changed everything. It was really easy to use, supports all my harware (even the DIY stuff) and the progress the program has made since then is really amazing. I never saw it crash (even the Nightly builds) and there is so much stuff to help you secure your sessions during the night. And there is really a great community out there to help you if something is not working the way you want. Also, every function that was missing and that I wished to have is now present with the possibility to customize the software with Plugins.

So if you are a happy user like me, make sure you donate to the project to keep it running. It's free and it's great - so some bucks will not hurt you and it will help the maker… and you feel a lot better afterwards.

CS

Christian
Helpful Engaging Supportive
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Christian Großmann:
Me, too.

I used to use BYE and later APT. APT is not bad at all, but the user interface and the floating windows are hard to handle on a small laptop screen out in the fields. The user interface was not as easy to understand. So I looked around for a while. I tried an Astroberry Pi with KStars/Ecos which worked quite good, but was not always stable the whole night through. So I finally made the decition to give NINA a try and: Oh boy! This changed everything. It was really easy to use, supports all my harware (even the DIY stuff) and the progress the program has made since then is really amazing. I never saw it crash (even the Nightly builds) and there is so much stuff to help you secure your sessions during the night. And there is really a great community out there to help you if something is not working the way you want. Also, every function that was missing and that I wished to have is now present with the possibility to customize the software with Plugins.

So if you are a happy user like me, make sure you donate to the project to keep it running. It's free and it's great - so some bucks will not hurt you and it will help the maker... and you feel a lot better afterwards.

CS

Christian

Same here very happy with it and really don't remember the last time it crashed. I often make small donations too, they really deserve the support and credit.

Rouz,
mastermerlin avatar
mastermerlin avatar
Thank you for the write up. Actually I read all of your articles and like them, some as a vision for the future, some as inspiration.

For N.I.N.A I recently bought a mini PC that is now traveling with my Newtonian instead of a guidescope. I tested the software on Saturday and I am amazed, even so I need to figure out some elements of the sequencer (forgot to add Meridian Flip for this evening).

The best thing, coming from an AsiAir (which is a great product especially for beginners) I now have the freedom to chose other ASCOM equipment as I wish.
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Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Thank you for the write up. Actually I read all of your articles and like them, some as a vision for the future, some as inspiration.

For N.I.N.A I recently bought a mini PC that is now traveling with my Newtonian instead of a guidescope. I tested the software on Saturday and I am amazed, even so I need to figure out some elements of the sequencer (forgot to add Meridian Flip for this evening).

The best thing, coming from an AsiAir (which is a great product especially for beginners) I now have the freedom to chose other ASCOM equipment as I wish.

Thank you for the positive feedback.

Funny you should mention that, Im just also just waiting for the courier to deliver a mini PC that I will mount on the telescope too.

I can not stand the forced use of a specific brand with hardware/software that are not compatible with the rest of amateur astronomy gear. I feel like that goes against the spirit of amateur astronomy in a way.

Its great that we have a free alternative like NINA that lets us use pretty much anything we like without any restrictions!


Rouz,
mastermerlin avatar
mastermerlin avatar
Funny you should mention that, Im just also just waiting for the courier to deliver a mini PC that I will mount on the telescope too.


I was looking for an industrial one (here) but went with the MeLE Quieter 2 which runs sufficiently for my needs. Lightweight on the scope and 4xUSB3. Maybe I will shuffle it to a dovetail with a powerbox.

As I am not in a permanent setup, even so I will go for a dome (run by N.I.N.A.) somewhen, I assume next will be a Rotator.... or... or ...  ok that list is long .
Stuart Taylor avatar
Stuart Taylor avatar
Christian Großmann:
So if you are a happy user like me, make sure you donate to the project to keep it running. It's free and it's great - so some bucks will not hurt you and it will help the maker... and you feel a lot better afterwards.

CS

Christian

Agree with this. I also make donations to NINA
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Funny you should mention that, Im just also just waiting for the courier to deliver a mini PC that I will mount on the telescope too.


I was looking for an industrial one (here) but went with the MeLE Quieter 2 which runs sufficiently for my needs. Lightweight on the scope and 4xUSB3. Maybe I will shuffle it to a dovetail with a powerbox.

As I am not in a permanent setup, even so I will go for a dome (run by N.I.N.A.) somewhen, I assume next will be a Rotator.... or... or ...  ok that list is long .

received the Mele Quiter 2 yesterday, installed NINA and it downloads the 120mb QHY600 subs just fine.

Still need to test it out on the OTA for actual imaging. So far so good, its tiny!
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Stuart Taylor:
Christian Großmann:
So if you are a happy user like me, make sure you donate to the project to keep it running. It's free and it's great - so some bucks will not hurt you and it will help the maker... and you feel a lot better afterwards.

CS

Christian

Agree with this. I also make donations to NINA

yes, me too.
It deserves it.
mastermerlin avatar
mastermerlin avatar
downloads the 120mb subs


That is why I received an extra 256 GB 2280 SSD today, to speed up DL (as SD is horribly slow) and still keep the data separated from the Systems emmc Storage.
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
downloads the 120mb subs


That is why I received an extra 256 GB 2280 SSD today, to speed up DL (as SD is horribly slow) and still keep the data separated from the Systems emmc Storage.

I  added a 512 m.2 nvme and installed NINA on that too, files get downloaded to that drive. You can set that up in NINA, where to save files (for those unaware).
Concise
Christian Großmann avatar
Christian Großmann avatar
downloads the 120mb subs


That is why I received an extra 256 GB 2280 SSD today, to speed up DL (as SD is horribly slow) and still keep the data separated from the Systems emmc Storage.

I  added a 512 m.2 nvme and installed NINA on that too, files get downloaded to that drive. You can set that up in NINA, where to save files (for those unaware).

There is also a plugin that uses robocopy to generate a backup on a network drive. I use this to automatically copy the images to my processing computer while keeping the original file on the imaging PC (just in case the network connection will be lost at some point). This saves me so much time to copy everything to where I want it to keep.

To get this running, you don't need to be a rocket scientist...

It is just one of those many simple steps, that I don't have to think about. Just generate a template for the advenced sequencer and put the command in it. NINA is full of such tools...
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
Christian Großmann:
downloads the 120mb subs


That is why I received an extra 256 GB 2280 SSD today, to speed up DL (as SD is horribly slow) and still keep the data separated from the Systems emmc Storage.

I  added a 512 m.2 nvme and installed NINA on that too, files get downloaded to that drive. You can set that up in NINA, where to save files (for those unaware).

There is also a plugin that uses robocopy to generate a backup on a network drive. I use this to automatically copy the images to my processing computer while keeping the original file on the imaging PC (just in case the network connection will be lost at some point). This saves me so much time to copy everything to where I want it to keep.

To get this running, you don't need to be a rocket scientist...

It is just one of those many simple steps, that I don't have to think about. Just generate a template for the advenced sequencer and put the command in it. NINA is full of such tools...

Great tip!
Seen it havent used it, will install it next time.
I do that manually so will save time.
John R Carter, Sr. avatar
John R Carter, Sr. avatar
Tom Marsala:
Thank you, Rouz!
I am currently getting up the nerve to make the switch.  It looks a little intimidating as I have used Backyard EOS for years.  But I am ready to get autofocusing involved and BYE does not provide this currently.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Tom

@Tom Marsala , I made the jump to N.I.N.A. a few months back and my images are so much better now with the autofocus routine. I also have Backyard EOS, and rarely use it.

I've tried SharpCap Pro, SGP, and TheSky X, none of which really beat N.I.N.A. SharpCap Pro has one advantage of delivering a decent, calibrated live image, but no plate solving. I haven't tried the 'almost' automatic focusing in SharpCap, but from what I see in the documentation it isn't as sophisticated as the autofocus routine in N.I.N.A. Still, SharpCap is my preferred tool for star parties for the live stacking--after using N.I.N.A. to focus, polar align, and center on a target. Even then, polar align isn't always necessary when using PHD2 for guiding.

For those who want all that is possible with N.I.N.A., they should just go directly for the beta version and keep it updated.

@Rouzbeh , that's a very good synopsis of N.I.N.A.
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Stuart Taylor avatar
Stuart Taylor avatar
John R Carter, Sr.:
I've tried SharpCap Pro, SGP, and TheSky X, none of which really beat N.I.N.A. SharpCap Pro has one advantage of delivering a decent, calibrated live image, but no plate solving. I haven't tried the 'almost' automatic focusing in SharpCap, but from what I see in the documentation it isn't as sophisticated as the autofocus routine in N.I.N.A. Still, SharpCap is my preferred tool for star parties for the live stacking--after using N.I.N.A. to focus, polar align, and center on a target. Even then, polar align isn't always necessary when using PHD2 for guiding.

Yes, I agree. I still use SharpCap for all solar system stuff though, because NINA can't shoot video (that's not its purpose, to be fair). I did look at the 'autofocus' in SharpCap, but it doesn't actually seem to control the focuser, it just gives you a rather uninterpretable graph. The autofocus in NINA is fantastic and just 'works'!
Well Written Concise
John R Carter, Sr. avatar
John R Carter, Sr. avatar
Its great that we have a free alternative like NINA that lets us use pretty much anything we like without any restrictions!


Except that N.I.N.A. only runs on Windows.
If I could get a Linux version of N.I.N.A. and an option to get the Mele Quiter 2 WITHOUT MS Windows installed, then I would be a happy man.
Well Written
Rouz Astro avatar
Rouz Astro avatar
John R Carter, Sr.:
Tom Marsala:
Thank you, Rouz!
I am currently getting up the nerve to make the switch.  It looks a little intimidating as I have used Backyard EOS for years.  But I am ready to get autofocusing involved and BYE does not provide this currently.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Tom

@Tom Marsala , I made the jump to N.I.N.A. a few months back and my images are so much better now with the autofocus routine. I also have Backyard EOS, and rarely use it.

I've tried SharpCap Pro, SGP, and TheSky X, none of which really beat N.I.N.A. SharpCap Pro has one advantage of delivering a decent, calibrated live image, but no plate solving. I haven't tried the 'almost' automatic focusing in SharpCap, but from what I see in the documentation it isn't as sophisticated as the autofocus routine in N.I.N.A. Still, SharpCap is my preferred tool for star parties for the live stacking--after using N.I.N.A. to focus, polar align, and center on a target. Even then, polar align isn't always necessary when using PHD2 for guiding.

For those who want all that is possible with N.I.N.A., they should just go directly for the beta version and keep it updated.

@Rouzbeh , that's a very good synopsis of N.I.N.A.

Thanks Tom,

I really do find NINA does everything for me.
For video capture I really liked Firecapture.

Glad you liked the review too.


Rouz,