Software Checklist

Software Checklist for Astrophotography 

CORE (Mandatory)

ASCOM: https://ascom-standards.org

MOUNT (Mandatory - Select as applicable)

For Synta Mounts - Green Swamp Server: https://greenswamp.org

For Celestron Mounts - CPWI: https://www.celestron.com/pages/celestron-pwi-telescope-control-software 

For iOptron Mounts - Commander: https://www.ioptron.com/Articles.asp?ID=295 

PLATE SOLVING (Mandatory)

ASTAP: https://www.hnsky.org/astap.htm (Download core program + D80 Database) 

ACQUISITION (Mandatory - Select as applicable)

Deep Sky - NINA: https://nighttime-imaging.eu

Planetary - FireCapture: http://www.firecapture.de

Polar Alignment - SharpCap Pro: https://www.sharpcap.co.uk/sharpcap/downloads (Alternative: NINA TPPA) 

CAMERA DRIVERS (Mandatory - Select as applicable)

QHY: https://www.qhyccd.com/download

ZWO: https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-drivers

Player One: https://player-one-astronomy.com/service/software

GUIDING (Mandatory)

 PHD2: https://openphdguiding.org

PLANETARIUM (Optional)

 Stellarium: https://stellarium.org

POWER (Optional)

Pocket Power Box: https://pegasusastro.com/download

PIXINSIGHT (Optional)

https://pixinsight.com

Windows 11 Remote Desktop Protocol Setup Steps 

Requires Windows 11 Pro

Only Required for Mini PC setups

In Windows 11, RDP is DISABLED by default. The following steps will enable RDP and allow logon with no account password. 

1. Settings --> System --> Remote Desktop --> Turn ON Remote Desktop 

2. Win+R (Run) and Type gpedit.msc 

3. Click on Local Computer Policy --> Computer Configuration --> Windows Settings --> Security Settings --> Local Policies --> Security Options 

4. Find Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only, Double click, set to Disable