NINA Advanced API

🚀 Advanced API Protocol Server Plugin v2 (MCP) for Astrophotography Equipment

This plugin provides a powerful interface for AI agents through the Advanced API of N.I.N.A (Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy) software NINA Advanced API. The Model Context Protocol Server (MCP) enables AI agents to interact with NINA tools, offering a new way to interact with equipment. Use at your own risk.

✨ Features

• Comprehensive Device Control

  • Camera (Capture, Cooling, Settings, Connection....)
  • Mount (Slew, Park, Tracking...)
  • Focuser (Move, Temperature Compensation...)
  • Filter Wheel (Filter Selection, Information...)
  • Astronomical Dome (Rotation, Shutter Control...)
  • Rotator (Move, Synchronize...)
  • ...

• AI Integration

  • Natural Language Command Processing
  • Contextual Help System
  • Intelligent Error Response
  • Automated Decision-Making

• Supports most endpoints of the NINA Advanced API v2 interface

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8 or higher
• NINA software with the Advanced API plugin
• uv package manager
• An AI agent with MCP support (e.g., Claude)

Installation

1. Install the NINA Advanced API Plugin

   # Install the plugin in NINA
   # Enable and configure it in NINA settings
   

2. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/PaDev1/Nina_advanced_api_mcp.git
   cd nina-mcp
   

3. Set Environment Variables

   # Create a.env file
   NINA_HOST=your_nina_host
   NINA_PORT=1888
   LOG_LEVEL=INFO
   IMAGE_SAVE_DIR=~/Desktop/NINA_Images
   

Configuration

MCP Server Settings

Add the following to the MCP configuration of your AI agent:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nina_advanced_mcp_api": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--with",
        "fastmcp,fastapi,uvicorn,pydantic,aiohttp,requests,python-dotenv",
        "fastmcp",
        "run",
        "path/nina_advanced_mcp.py"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NINA_HOST": "NINA_IP",
        "NINA_PORT": "1888",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "INFO",
        "IMAGE_SAVE_DIR": "~/Desktop/NINA_Images"
      }
    }
  }
}

💻 Usage Examples

Basic AI Example with Claude Desktop

• Connect to NINA
• Read settings
• Connect my camera, mount, filter wheel, and guider
• Read sequences and let me choose which one to start

AI Agent Commands

- "Take a 30-second exposure of M31"
- "Connect all devices and cool the camera to -10°C"
- "Start the target sequence pointing to NGC 7000"
- "Get the current device status"

📚 Documentation

Core Modules

Device Control

• Camera Operations
• Mount (Slew)
• Focuser (Move, Temperature Compensation...)
• Filter Wheel (Filter Selection, Information...)
• Astronomical Dome (Rotation, Shutter Control...)
• Rotator (Move, Synchronize...)

AI Integration

• Natural Language Command Processing
• Contextual Help System
• Intelligent Error Response
• Automated Decision-Making

Supports most endpoints of the NINA Advanced API v2 interface

🙏 Acknowledgments

• NINA - Core astronomical software
• NINA Advanced API - API documentation

🔗 Related Projects

• Touch'N'Stars - A WebApp for controlling NINA on mobile devices
• NINA Plugins - Official NINA plugin repository