Returns the current connection, operating state, measurements, and capabilities of active observatory equipment, including weather and safety-monitor status (whether the enclosure is open and it is safe to unpark), and mount capabilities (can_park, can_find_home) that determine how the scope can be stowed. Use it for live operational and safety checks. This tool is read-only and takes no action.

Returns the active NINA observatory profile and static configuration, including site location, optics, camera geometry, filters, plate solvers, and image-save path. Use get_site_equipment for live equipment state. This tool is read-only and takes no action.

Returns recent timestamped NINA observatory events and their event-specific details from the last since seconds. Use it to reconstruct sequence, equipment, safety, imaging, and error activity. This tool is read-only; use get_site_equipment_status and sequence_get_state for current status.

Returns recent NINA application log entries, including informational messages, warnings, and errors with source and timestamp details from the last since seconds. Use it to diagnose sequence failures, equipment communication problems, and unexpected behavior. This tool is read-only and takes no action.

Returns imaging metadata parsed from the ImageMetaData.csv files in the frame folders (LIGHT, DARK, BIAS, FLAT, etc.) of the mounted N.I.N.A imaging directory. Each row is tagged with Date, FrameType, and Source. When an AcquisitionDetails.csv is present in the same session directory, its fields (e.g. TargetName, FocalLength) are injected into each image row unless the image row already has a value for that field. Defaults to lights frames for star-quality checks; pass another image type (light, dark, bias, flat — case-insensitive). Optionally filter to a single YYYY-MM-DD date.

Validates and writes an observation plan to a JSON file for later use by sequence_load_plan. The plan defines target coordinates, acquisition intent, light and calibration frames, batching, cooling, autofocus, guiding, and observing constraints. This tool only creates the plan file; it does not load or start a sequence.

Returns per-frame-type acquisition progress for an observation-plan JSON file: for each exposure group, the total_count from the plan, the acquired_count attributed to this plan from the imaging metadata (ImageMetaData.csv + AcquisitionDetails.csv), and the remaining_count. Lights are attributed via the plan_id embedded in the sequence target name (falling back to the target name for legacy frames); flats/darks/bias are matched by image type, filter, and exposure. Pass max_hfr and/or min_detected_stars to exclude light frames that fail quality thresholds (frames missing the quality fields are excluded when a threshold is set). Use this before sequence_load_plan to decide what still needs acquiring.

Loads an acquisition sequence with safety guardrails from an observation-plan JSON file. Select the frame type: light, dark, bias, dawn_flat, or dusk_flat. In the default remaining mode the sequence only acquires frames still needed (total minus frames already attributed to this plan in the imaging metadata); if nothing remains it reports the plan as complete and loads nothing. max_hfr and/or min_detected_stars exclude light frames failing quality thresholds from the acquired count. Pass mode="full" to acquire the entire plan again. This tool only loads the sequence; call sequence_start afterward.

Loads and starts the non-acquisition teardown sequence, safely stowing the telescope (park or home, per mount capability) while NINA's sequence-level safety guardrails remain active. Use for end-of-observation close-down — when you are done observing and want to shut down the scope — or before leaving the observatory unattended. Allow it to complete without interruption. This is separate from sequence_stop, which halts the current sequence but does not stow the scope.

Loads a non-acquisition standby sequence that keeps NINA sequence-level safety and stow guardrails active while the observatory is idle. After loading, call sequence_start. Stop it before loading an acquisition or teardown sequence. Use whenever equipment is deployed and no other sequence is running.

Starts or resumes the currently loaded sequence, activating its acquisition or safety workflow. Call sequence_get_state afterward to verify that it is running.

Stops the currently running NINA sequence immediately, leaving the telescope where it currently is — it does not stow the scope. Use for an urgent halt, to interrupt a stuck/looping sequence, or when the running sequence isn't what you wanted. If you then want to park/home the telescope, run sequence_execute_teardown separately. Note that sequence_load_plan and the teardown/standby entry tools already stop any running sequence before loading, so an explicit stop is only needed when you want to halt without loading anything new. Avoid stopping an in-progress teardown during the stow maneuver unless safety requires it, since interrupting mid-slew can leave the scope in an unsafe position. Call sequence_get_state afterward to confirm the sequence has stopped.

Returns the loaded sequence structure and the current status of its containers, instructions, conditions, and triggers. Use it to determine whether a sequence is loaded, running, completed, failed, or waiting. This tool is read-only and takes no action.