Software Every Astropotamus Needs

If you're just starting out, like this Astropotamus, you're more likely to want to spend money on better Time Machines and cameras than software. That's fine - when you're ready, there's some commercial software that you will probably want to buy. Until then, here's some free software that will make your life much easier! These links are generally in the order in which you would use the software in capturing, processing, and finalizing an image from a Time Machine.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to read some articles about software in the history of astronomical science!
For Capturing Purpose
ASCOM Driver framework for most of your equipment for Windows
Kstars/Ekos Linux mount and camera control server plus Linux/Windows/Mac remote client
GSS Green Swamp Server EQMOD driver for Sky-Watcher mounts
Astro Photography Tool Camera control and more, especially useful for DSLR imaging
NINA Free image capture, mount control, guiding, automation, and more
PHD Guiding Push Here Dummy guiding software so you can take longer exposures
Stellarium Planetarium software for Windows that lets you travel the Cosmos virtually
SharpCap Image capture and automation
For Processing Purpose
Siril Absolute best free post-processing (and more) for your astro images
SirilRC Companion app to help automate Siril across multiple sessions and/or narrowband filters
GIMP Absolute best free photo editing software (think Photoshop without the expense)
G'MIC for GIMP Full-Featured Open-Source Framework for Image Processing. Check out the UNPURPLE filter!
GraxPert Best free AI-based software for removing gradients and noise
SetiAstro SAS An amazing suite of FREE tools for special purposes. Check out the Perfect Palette Picker!
Autostakkert! Planetary, lunar, solar, and more stacking
ASTAP Astrometric (plate) solver, image stacking, photometry, and FITS viewer - VERY FAST!
Deep Sky Stacker Image stacking software (useful for comets, too!)
Darktable] Free, open-source photography workflow application and raw developer (think Lightroom) without the expense)
PIPP Planetary Imaging PreProcessor converter/processor
For Other Purpose
Safety Monitor Driver Nicolas de Hilster's ASCOM Safety Monitor that lets you use things like OpenWeatherMap to determine if it's safe to image (see next one, too)
Safety Monitor Hub Nicolas de Hilster's Safety Monitor Hub that lets you combine multiple safety monitors
Thingino Free custom firmware for popular webcams to make them much more powerful without relying on manufacturer's app!
Notepad++ A superior editor for Windows compared to Notepad
Putty Windows SSH client that's much better than the one built-in to Windows
WinDirStat See your Windows drive usage in a very intuitive graphic manner. Great for finding those missing images!
TCP/IP Serial Port A serial-to-IP virtual serial port
OBS Studio If you're going to stream or use a live cam to monitor your rig, you probably want this
VLC Player The reverse of OBS, VLC is an incredibly powerful and diverse media/stream player

Please consider supporting the creators, developers, and maintainers of these products. Many are free only because of the incredible hard work that they have put into creating the software, relying mainly on small donations to help get by. Your support can make a big difference and I strongly urge you to consider donating to keep these works free!

Until next time, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!

Virtual Serial Port

A software driver that redirects a Windows virtual serial port via a TCP/IP network to another hardware interface specified by IP address.

windows
Mission Control

Some pictures from NASA's web site of the first Mission Control Center. It's amazing how far we've come!

nasa