Manuals · AstroStation & XL
Download the manual for the compact AstroStation or Polaris XL below. The quick start on this page follows the compact 2.8-inch model.
Have these readyAstroStation, your Wi-Fi details and a USB power supply.
AstroStation 2.8 inch · Updated Dutch manualDownload version 1.3PDF · 18 pages · 1.7 MB · firmware 3.0 alpha 9.4.40
Polaris XL · Updated Dutch manualDownload XL version 1.4PDF · 21 pages · 1.4 MB · firmware v0.15.0.66
Updated on 7 October 2026. Both PDFs are in Dutch and describe the current firmware, including setup, support and OTA updates.
Startup & setup
The Wi-Fi instructions appear after the start screen. Connect to Polaris-Astro-Setup, then open 192.168.4.1 on your phone or laptop.
The complete manual
From current weather to network management, the guide follows AstroStation’s five permanent tabs in order.
This is the first screen after startup. It shows the current weather before you move on to the astronomical advice.
See how favourable the conditions are each hour and when the best observing window begins.
Read the solar data, current lunar phase and the available window with little or no moonlight.
Check which planets are visible and use that information when planning your observing session.
Find connection details, updates and management functions. The IP address in INFO also provides access to the local support page.
Screenshots with callouts
These screen examples show the layout of the compact AstroStation. Some details may differ from the current firmware; use the updated PDF above for the latest instructions.
This is the first screen after startup. It shows the current weather before you move on to the astronomical advice.
123Your location, date, temperature and a short description of the current weather appear at the top.
Cloud cover, humidity, wind force and wind direction summarise the conditions right now.
The green line shows when the data was updated; use the bottom bar to open another screen.
See how favourable the conditions are each hour and when the best observing window begins.
123
Choose Deep Sky or Moon/Plan. The coloured outline marks the active profile; its score and start time appear in the same tile.
Each row combines time, temperature, cloud cover, wind force, score and the corresponding advice.
The line beneath the table explains which factor receives extra weight in the selected profile and shows the current lunar illumination.
Read the solar data, current lunar phase and the available window with little or no moonlight.
123The times at the top show immediately when daylight begins and ends.
The phase is shown visually, with its name and the illuminated percentage alongside it.
Moonrise and moonset help determine which part of the night will be darkest for your session.
Check which planets are visible and use that information when planning your observing session.
123The calculation uses your location and looks at the coming dark hours.
For each planet, you can see whether it is visible now, rises later or is poorly placed during this period.
The time at the bottom confirms when the planetary data was calculated locally.
Find connection details, updates and management functions. The IP address in INFO also provides access to the local support page.
123Check Wi-Fi, signal strength, the IP address and the times when weather, Moon and planet data were updated.
Mode, current humidity, Moon hour and display brightness provide extra diagnostic information.
Open the settings or support page with the two buttons. The active firmware version is shown directly above them.