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StellarMate OS

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StellarMate OS includes all the software required to operate your equipment provided as an OS Image File (.img) ready to be copied to Raspberry PI 4 or 5.
SM OS FeaturesSM OS Features
Sales price $59.00
Image sequence progress along Mount control
Ekos Polar Alignment
Description

For experienced users who already own a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 unit, StellarMate OS is a complete software package ready for deployment on your Raspberry Pi. It is provided as a compressed OS Image file (.img.xz) that you can burn to an SD card and fire it up immediately to enjoy the full benefit of StellarMate software stack. The following packages are included in addition to the base OS:

  • INDI
  • KStars/Ekos
  • Astrometry.net with index files.
  • StellarMate Web Manager.
  • StellarMate Network Manager.
  • StellarMate Serial Port Assistant.

Requirements

  • Raspberry PI 4/5 with 4GB RAM or higher. Raspberry PI3 is not supported.
  • A 32GB+ Class 10 MicroSD card is highly recommended.
  • If using a DSLR camera, then you must first ensure the camera is supported before you proceed.

A 3A+ 5v power supply for Raspberry PI 4 and 5A+ 5v power supply for Raspberry PI 5 is required in order to properly operate StellarMate OS on Raspberry Pi 4/5. Using anything less than specified amperage would result in system instablities and possible corruption. Invest in a reputable power supply before you boot StellarMate OS.

Download

After your purchase, you will receieve a link in the email to download the file. Since the file size is ~3.1 GB, it is highly recommended to use a dedicated download manager to download the file. After you download the file appropiate for your Raspberry Pi version, you can verify its integrity by computing its hash. Use Quick Hash GUI to verify the integrity of the image file. There are two files available for download:

  • File: StellarMateOS_1.8.2_RPI.img.xz
  • SHA256: 940a3077066f247e2fe1cfe936487e241d68458094617397c727b60b26a7d6de

If you need to download StellarMate OS again in the future, make sure you are logged in to the stellarmate.com website and then go to the Orders page. You should see a list of  your orders. Click on your order link, then scroll down to see the downloads. Make sure to download the SM OS version appropiate for your hardware platform.

Installation

Raspberry PI Imager is a graphical SD card writing tool that works on Mac OS, Linux and Windows, and is the easiest option for most users. It supports writing images directly from the zip file, without any unzipping required. To flash SM OS image:

  • Download Rasbperry PI Imager and install it.
  • Connect an SD card reader with the SD card inside.
  • Open Raspberry PI Imager and select from your disk the downloaded StellarMate .xz image.
  • Select the SD card you wish to write your image to.
  • Click WRITE to begin writing data to the SD card.

Boot up

Once the image is burned to the card, insert the microSD card into Raspberry PI 4 and power it up.

Note: StellarMate can take up to 2 minutes before switching to HotSpot mode on first startup. By default, StellarMate runs on 5 Ghz WiFi. Your phone/tablet must support 5Ghz WiFi in order to connect to StellarMate. It is possible to configure StellarMate to run on 2.4Ghz afterwards, but it is not recommended.

Passwords

  • The default StellarMate OS password is smate
  • The default StellarMate WiFi HotSpot password is stellar@mate

Learning StellarMate

StellarMate is a verstile OS that supports multiple methods to control it.

  1. The first and primary supported method to control StellarMate remotely is via the Ekos 64bit desktop application on Mac/Linux/Windows.
  2. The secondary supported method is to treat StellarMate as a mini-PC and access it over VNC or directly via HDMI/Keyboard/Mouse. You can use Ekos directly on StellarMate and it supports all the features just like the 64bit version.
  3. The final and third method is via the StellarMate Mobile App. The app is still in development and does not cover many features in the desktop application.

For new users, using StellarMate effectively can take a bit of a learning curve (like everything else) especially given the breadth of the features if provides. Here are some useful resources to get your started:

Support

We are proud to offer top-notch support for our customers. Please make sure to checkout first the Frequently Asked Questions and First Time Setup. To report any issues with StellarMate or Ekos, please submit a ticket and our support team should get back to you as soon as possible. Please make sure to submit the relevant logs to aid in diagnosting and resolving the issue efficiently.

Release History

  • v1.8.2 Release 2024-04-16
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.7 and KStars 3.7.0
    • Bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • v1.8.1 Release 2024-02-01
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.6 and KStars 3.6.9
    • Raspberry PI Camera Support.
    • WiFi 6 drivers.
  • v1.8.0 Release 2023-12-13
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.5 and KStars 3.6.8
    • Added support to Raspberry PI 5.
  • v1.7.9 Release 2023-10-01
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.4 and KStars 3.6.7
    • Bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • v1.7.7 Release 2023-06-01
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.2 and KStars 3.6.5
    • Bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • v1.7.8 Release 2023-08-01
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.3 and KStars 3.6.6
    • Bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • v1.7.5 Release 2023-02-03
    • Updated to INDI Library v2.0.0 and KStars 3.6.3
    • Summary View.
    • Achivements.
    • Custom Placeholders.
    • Bug fixes and performance improvements.
  • v1.7.4 Release 2022-11-30
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.9 and KStars 3.6.2
    • Performance improvements.
  • v1.7.3 Release 2022-09-27
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.8 and KStars 3.6.1
    • Only 64bit. 32bit support is dropped.
  • v1.7.2 Release 2022-07-30
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.7 and KStars 3.6.0
    • Both 32/64 releases are now based on Debian Bullseye.
    • Raspberry PI Camera support is pending driver update.
  • v1.7.1 Release 2022-05-26
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.6 and KStars 3.5.9
  • v1.7.0 Release 2022-03-18
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.5 and KStars 3.5.8
    • Stable 32bit and 64bit versions.
  • v1.6.1 Release 2021-11-13
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.3 and KStars 3.5.6
    • Fast Exposure Support.
    • LiveStacking image export and plate-solving.
  • v1.6.0 Release 2021-09-16
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.2 and KStars 3.5.5
    • SM App Target Module.
    • Sigma-Clipped Live Stacking.
  • v1.5.9 Release 2021-07-06
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.1 and KStars 3.5.4
  • v1.5.8 Release 2021-04-23
    • Updated INDI Library v1.9.0 and KStars 3.5.3
  • v1.5.7 Release 2021-03-01
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.9 and KStars 3.5.2
  • v1.5.6 Release 2021-01-09
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.8 and KStars 3.5.1
  • v1.5.5 Release 2020-11-21
    • Preliminary support for Live Stacking.
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.7 and KStars 3.5.0
    • Required for SM App on iOS/Android stores.
  • v1.5.4 Release 2020-08-21
    • Fixed Issue when using external USB hubs.
  • v1.5.3 Release 2020-07-21
    • Added support for Raspberry PI4 8GB variant.
    • Added support for Mount Bluetooth Pairing.
    • Canon CR3 format support.
    • New Native Pentax DSLR drivers.
    • Always-on Hotspot mode.
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.6 and KStars 3.4.3.
  • v1.5.2 Release 2020-04-26
    • Improved WiFi connectvity with some devices (Samsung)
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.5 and KStars 3.4.2
    • Updated firmware for better thermal management.
  • v1.5.1 Release 2020-02-24
    • Fixed HotSpot login.
    • Fixed Sync GPS button.
    • Improved Device Auto Detection.
  • v1.5.0 Release 2020-02-14
    • Stable release for both RPI3 and RPi4
    • Updated INDI Library v1.8.4 and KStars 3.4.0
    • Support for Offline Viewer (Requires StellarMate Mobile App).
 
StellarMate OS For Raspberry
StellarMate OS Bundle

StellarMate OS Bundle

Reviews

Saturday, 30 December 2023
Best Astronomy Software ever - 
I love it.
joelarch
Thursday, 27 October 2022
I was unable to capture and save any images with my Canon DSLR and was about to throw in the towel. I remember even sending James a direct message complaining about it. I decided as a last resort to start with a completely clean installation and take the time to SLOWLY go through the instructions from Jasem. Lo and behold, StellarmateOS responded exactly as I was hoping and I was able to take good test photos from the warmth of my car and even use the live stacking feature. There are more features that I need time to explore and learn to use like the planner but I will get there in time. TIP: If you need to update Stellarmate app on your device, you will probably need to update StellarmateOS too, otherwise you will only be able to control the device using VNC'ing to the device and using Kstars/Ekos on the RaspberryPi desktop. There IS a learning curve. You need to extremely patient. Once you are past this it works great! Thank you Jasem for persevering in the development of StellarmateOS.
Mark Mckenzie
Friday, 21 October 2022
Working now with SM OS v.1.7.3 combined with Raspberry Pi 4 - 8GBram, connected to ZWO ASI cam and Skywatcher AZGTi Goto-mount, to do EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy observations. Very disappointed! Months of struggling and hundreds of hours meaningless work, trying to get the system working right, without any satisfying result. The main goal is to enjoy celestial observation using Stellarmate in combination with telescope and Goto mount ... and not struggling with software full of bugs and an operating system that often fails. Problems with upgrading, with the stability of the wifi connection, difficult working ios app with bugs and functions that are often not working (auto detection of the connected devices ...). No proper tutorials how to solve all this problems. The list of unsatisfied users on the Cloudy Night forum is growing and it confirms that this product is still not ready to use in an appropriate way. Sad I paid for something that doesn't work. I will look now for a more professional solution that does the job as promised. Claude
Claude Bataillie
Thursday, 20 October 2022
Been running version 1.61, flawless for my use. I am doing spectroscopy with a LISA spectragraph on a C11, Losmandy G11, wireless via VNC through my network. Able to control everything with Stellarmate. Looking forward to using the latest version. Better than ascom, live INDI much better.
John
Sunday, 07 November 2021
Hallo, ich habe auf 1.6.0 aktualisiert und hab seit dem nur noch Probleme. Bekomme nur noch Meldungen das alle Verbindungen chrashen. Nutze als Verbindung die AsiZwo 120 und 290,und als Teleskop nutze ich die AZ-Gti mit der Eq-Mount Verbindung
Torsten Haucke
Friday, 17 July 2020
I Just installed Stellarmate OS today on my RPi4 - I gave it a test run for connectivity and everything started right up and all drivers were working. SO far my setup includes the following: EQMOD, Canon DSLR, ZWO ASI EAF and ZWO CCD(guiding w/ 120mm Mini). Everything has worked as intended. I found it easiest to use a screen sharing program. Everything was a little bit slower, but not by much. Focusing maybe took an extra 3 or 4 seconds to download the image and capturing an image in the capture module maybe took an extra 2 or 3 seconds. However for focusing, binning is going to be an option. Nothing was laggy or too slow. It worked perfect and I am so excited to use this in the future.
Daniel DeSclafani
Monday, 04 May 2020
FIVE STARS! With this software I can control my Meade Maksutov Telescope MC 127/1900 StarNavigator NG 125 Mak AZ GoTo remotely! It only needs a serial Adapter cable from Raspberry Pi (4) to Handbox. With KSTARS, I can not only steer the telescope - when the guide is active, object tracking even works, which is also displayed in KSTARS. Thanks to INDI! Many thanks also to the Support. The possibilities are literally limitless!
acenthyl
Friday, 10 May 2019
What an amazing piece of software! Once I had updated the firmware in my hand controller and got the network addresses right connections were made without a hitch and testing the software indoors it worked just as it should. If there is a gripe it is that on closing Kstars I see that there are pop up boxes which popped up but didn't appear on top of Kstars. Not that that matters too much as the information comes up in the Ekos server logs in any case. One oddity I have noticed is that occasionally parking my HEQ5 pro and the mount will slew past the park position and park itself 180 degrees away in the exact opposite position. Probably something I have got wrong somewhere along the line. If you looking for software to control your Astrophotography gear then this will certainly do the job and is a considerable step up from Stellarium or sky Safari. or using multiple packages as I have been doing. Best of all it works on a Mac. All that said of course I have to test it under the stars and see how things like plate solving work for me. For now though I am very impressed with what this package will do.
Frodo57
Friday, 29 September 2017
I would probably give it 4 stars because its a slick tool that can work well. Mount control for go-to and polar alignment and plate solving work well but internal guiding not so much - could use more control to PHD2 - such as launching it. I have the first release but I've been following Kstars/INDI development for 6-8 months and there are still bugs to be ironed out. In spite of that, I've decided to make stellarmate my main tool for astrophotography.
Greg Beaton