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System Requirements and Device Support#

Minimum System Requirements#

The following represents the minimum system resources required to operate N.I.N.A.

  • A dual-core x64 CPU
  • 3GB of RAM
  • Windows 10 (64 bit) or later
  • 350MB of free disk space without the optional SkyAtlas image data or framing cache data (3GB with)
  • .NET Framework 4.8 Runtime (included with Windows 10 May 2019 Update (build 1903) and later)

Info

Some users have reported successful operation of N.I.N.A. on small, low-power embedded systems such as the Intel Compute Stick and similar platforms. As expected, experiences will vary in such resource-constrained environments. Technically, N.I.N.A. should be able to run on a single core, but this will certainly lead to a highly undesirable experience and is certainly not recommended. However, if forced to choose between the two, more RAM is desirable over CPU power.

The functionality of N.I.N.A. shines through when paired with a supporting cast of other applications. Please consider the items in the following lists to access the full breadth of N.I.N.A.'s capabilities.

Supported Devices#

Direct (native) camera support#

N.I.N.A. can directly interface with a wide range of popular cameras without the need for an intermediate ASCOM driver. Direct camera control is recommended over accessing the camera through ASCOM for performance reasons and to access additional camera controls that cannot be manipulated through ASCOM.

  • Altair
  • Atik
  • Canon
  • Nikon
  • FLI
  • Omegon
  • QHYCCD
  • RisingCam
  • ToupTek
  • ZWO
  • SVBony
  • SBIG

Note

Certain older Nikon DSLRs require a serial shutter cable for bulb exposures. Please consult your camera's documentation regarding its requirements for long exposure operation using a USB or other remote cable.

The list of supported cameras can change and expand as N.I.N.A. developers gain access to relevant hardware or support is contributed.

ASCOM Device Support#

Astronomy-related equipment often has an ASCOM driver for it. N.I.N.A. supports accessing the following types of devices through their associated ASCOM drivers, as long as the drivers are fully compliant with the relevant ASCOM frameworks. Cameras that lack direct support in N.I.N.A. but do have an ASCOM driver may also be utilized this way. The following ASCOM device classes are supported:

  • Cameras
  • Mounts (aka "Telescopes")
  • Filter Wheels
  • Flat Panels (ASCOM Cover Calibrator)
  • Focusers
  • Rotators
  • Weather data (ASCOM ObservingConditions)
  • Domes
  • Switches
  • Safety Devices

Tip

Be aware that ASCOM drivers that are provided by their vendor in a 32 bit-only form will not be accessible by a 64 bit N.I.N.A. or any other 64 bit ASCOM client application. If this is the case for you, then the 32 bit version of N.I.N.A. must be installed.

A note to ASCOM driver developers

If it has not already been done, please consider making both 32 and 64 bit varieties of your driver(s) available to your users or customers, and ensure that the driver passes all ASCOM Conformance tests. Please refer to the relevant documentation on ASCOM's website for more information.

Guiding Applications#

N.I.N.A. supports several guiding applications to guide, dither, and monitor tracking accuracy. Telemetry from these applications are also displayed inside of the Imaging tab. The guiding applications N.I.N.A. supports are: