AstroArch: The Astrophotography OS for Raspberry Pi

I needed a wireless connectivity to my telescope and found Raspberry Pi 5 as the perfect candidate. Here is a quick guide based on my experience installing AstroArch, the 64-bit OS that turns the Pi into a seamless INDI/Ekos controller.

My initial plan was to install Astroberry on a Raspberry Pi 5. However, after flashing the software, I realized that Astroberry is not supported on the Raspberry Pi 5. Astroberry isn't natively supported on the Raspberry Pi 5 because it's built on an outdated 32-bit Debian 10 (Buster) OS. The Pi 5 requires a 64-bit OS (like Debian 12 Bookworm) and newer software; specifically, the core KStars/Ekos/INDI platform has moved to 64-bit, leaving Astroberry's old packages incompatible with new hardware and modern camera drivers.

Since this didn't work, I searched for an alternative and found AstroArch.

AstroArch

AstroArch is a purpose-built, 64-bit operating system designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5. It transforms your compact single-board computer into a dedicated, high-performance controller for your astronomy equipment.

Here's what makes AstroArch stand out:

  • Updated Drivers: Based on ArchLinuxARM, AstroArch stays constantly up to date with the latest INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) drivers and KStars/Ekos releases, ensuring maximum compatibility with modern features.

  • Complete Package: It comes pre-packaged with all necessary INDI drivers, eliminating the frustrating hunt for individual drivers after installation.

  • KDE Plasma Interface: It utilizes the KDE Plasma desktop environment, providing a smooth, responsive, and natural user experience tailored specifically to running KStars and Ekos.

For comprehensive information, please visit the official AstroArch Repository link below. 

https://github.com/devDucks/astroarch

My documentation is intended as a quick start guide with some tips based on my experience.

I installed AstroArch on a Raspberry Pi that has 8 GB of RAM. To my knowledge, it will work very well with a Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM.

🚀 AstroArch Quick Start Guide


Step 1: Download the Image

Before starting, download the latest AstroArch image file from the repository link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CzN3f9_lNp2InT2PLvp_vflsW7gywFZB/view

Step 2: Flash the Image to a MicroSD Card

If you prefer a GUI, use balenaEtcher; otherwise, you can use the Unix dd command to flash it.

Command: 

sudo dd if=<name of image like astroarch-2.0.4-20251103.img> of=<path to sd drive like /dev/xxxx> bs=8M status=progress

Step 3: Prepare Peripherals

Gather a monitor, micro HDMI cable, wired keyboard, and wired mouse for the initial setup steps.

Step 4: Initial Boot 🖥️

This is where you'll set up the system locally before going wireless.

  • Insert the MicroSD card into the Raspberry Pi card slot.

  • Connect the Raspberry Pi to a monitor using a micro HDMI cable.

  • Connect a wired keyboard to the Raspberry Pi.

  • Connect a wired mouse to the Raspberry Pi.

  • Power the Raspberry Pi. The system will boot, and you will see the KDE Plasma graphical interface.




Step 5: Update the System and Configure Wi-Fi

Action: Once you are logged in, connect the Raspberry Pi to your home network using the desktop's Wi-Fi interface. The first thing you should do is update the system.

You have two options for updating:

1.    Using the Terminal: Open a terminal (Konsole) and type the command:

update-astroarch

2.    Using the Shortcut: Double-click the update-astroarch shortcut on the desktop.

 ⚠️ Important Wi-Fi Configuration Note:

After the update, disconnect from your home network.

  • In the Wi-Fi properties for your home network, uncheck the "Connect automatically with priority" option. (This is crucial, as the Pi needs to prioritize the AstroArch hotspot.)


  • Connect to the AstroArch Wi-Fi hotspot (Astro_xxxx) and ensure "Connect automatically with priority" is checked for this network.

  • Troubleshooting: If the hotspot is still not shown, you may need to remove your saved home Wi-Fi network connection entirely from the AstroArch connection list.

Step 6: AstroArch Configuration (Software Installation/Setup) ⚙️

Double-click the AstroArch Onboarding icon on the desktop and navigate by clicking Next after making necessary selections on the different questions displayed in different tabs.



Optional Software Installation (Siril & FireCapture)

If the installation of Siril and FireCapture fails during this process, the most likely reason is a lock in the database from a previous error. 

Follow these steps to resolve it and proceed:

Unlock the database (if necessary): 

sudo rm /var/lib/pacman/db.lck

Re-sync and Update Packages (Recommended): If you are still unable to install after removing the lock file, you may need to re-sync the package databases:

sudo pacman -Syyu

Install the software manually (if needed): If the onboarding wizard still fails, you can try to install the software manually via the terminal: 

paru -S firecapture
paru -S siril

These commands will ensure dependencies are identified and installed.

Step 7: Final Shutdown (Preparing for Wireless Deployment)

After all configurations are complete, click on shutdown for the proper shutdown of the AstroArch system.

Step 8: Connect to the Hotspot for Wireless Access 📶

Once the Raspberry Pi has fully shut down, you can unplug the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Power the Pi back on in the field (or at your scope).

After the Pi boots, search for the AstroArch_xxxx wireless hotspot in your PC's or tablet's Wi-Fi list. Once found, connect using astronomy for the password.





Step 8: Access the Interface Connecting to the Hotspot 💻

With your PC or tablet connected to the Pi's hotspot, you can now access the AstroArch interface remotely. 

Connect to AstroArch either using VNC Viewer or in a web browser.



If you are using a web browser, please use the following link:


or





This little single-board computer is now a dedicated, high-performance INDI controller, providing the convenience of wireless connectivity right where you need it—at the telescope. Enjoy managing KStars and Ekos remotely, free from the hassle of cold laptops and tangled cables. 

Clear Skies and Happy imaging!

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