v5.0.0 released ; complete architecture & UI overhaul

Plan Your Night.
Capture the Universe.

The free, open-source DSO planner for serious astrophotographers. Real-time tracking, moon conditions, imaging windows, all in your browser.

app.nova-tracker.com
Nova DSO Tracker v5.0.0 Dashboard
1.8K Docker pulls
249 unique cloners in 2 weeks
65 releases
100% free & open-source

Track

Monitor every DSO in your list in real time. Live altitude, azimuth, and trend - sorted automatically so the best targets are always at the top.

Focus

Log your sessions, set up your rigs, and frame your targets with the built-in framing assistant. Stay organised across every clear night.

Plan

See upcoming imaging windows scored by altitude, moon illumination, and angular separation. Know exactly when to go out - weeks in advance.

The Dashboard

Your Night at a Glance

The Position screen shows every object in your tracker, live-sorted by altitude. See what is rising, peaking, and what you are about to miss - moon illumination, angular separation, and local transit time updating every minute.

Live altitude sort Moon illumination Observable window 60-second refresh
The Dashboard - Position Screen
Altitude Chart Visualization
Altitude Chart

Visualize the Night

The Chart screen gives you a detailed altitude plot for each object, from dusk till dawn. Track how altitude, moon position, and visibility change hour by hour in one clear view.

Instantly spot the best imaging windows, transit times, and potential moon conflicts. Add your horizon mask and the chart factors it in automatically.

Dusk to dawn view Moon track overlay Horizon mask Multi-night comparison
Imaging Opportunities

Find the Perfect Moment

The Opportunities screen scores each upcoming night for your target - altitude, duration, moon illumination, and angular separation combined into a single star rating. Know exactly when to go out, not just if you should.

Star ratings Moon forecast Calendar export Weeks ahead
Opportunities Screen Visualization
Framing Assistant Visualization
Notes & Framing

Frame Your Targets

The Framing Assistant shows exactly how each object fits in your rig. Overlay your telescope and camera field of view on an interactive Aladin sky chart, with full rotation control.

Save your setups so you arrive at the night sky ready to capture the perfect composition - no reconfiguring in the dark.

Interactive sky chart FoV overlay Rotation control Saved setups
What people say

Trusted by the Community

SpaceImages · Dr. Michael Werkl
"A comprehensive assistant for any astrophotographer who wants to maximize both imaging time and data quality. The planning features are genuinely unmatched."
Dr. Michael Werkl
Hackaday · Bryan Cockfield
"Anything that can reduce the amount of time spent looking for objects and increasing the amount of time looking at them is a welcome addition to any astrophotographer's toolkit."
Bryan Cockfield
100% Free · Open-Source · No Credit Card

Ready for Your
Next Clear Night?

Register in seconds and launch Nova directly in your browser. No installation, no subscription - just open it and start planning.

Already have an account? Login →

Scroll to Top