For astronomy enthusiasts and professionals alike, the Raspberry Pi 5 offers an affordable and versatile platform for exploring the night sky. By combining the power of the Raspberry Pi 5 with astronomy software like KStars and Ekos, you can transform your tiny computer into a sophisticated observatory control system. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to install KStars and Ekos on your Raspberry Pi 5, allowing you to capture stunning images of celestial objects and delve into the wonders of the universe right from your backyard.

This article describes a procedure to install software on a Raspberry Pi 5 with 8G RAM running Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) (Debian v.12 bookworm) booted directly from a 1TB NVMe SSD PCIe drive. This procedure may work for other configurations, so please do let us know if it does, or tell us about any issues you faced and your configuration. Thanks!

Prerequisites:

Before diving into the installation process, ensure you have the following:

• Raspberry Pi 5 board with Raspberry Pi OS (or any other compatible operating system) installed and configured.
• For the best possible performance, check out how to Turbocharge Your Raspberry Pi 5: Booting from NVMe SSD.
• Stable internet connection for downloading software packages.
• Basic familiarity with the Raspberry Pi environment, including how to open a terminal and run commands.

Step 1: Update Your Raspberry Pi 5

Start by ensuring your Raspberry Pi 5 is up to date. Open a terminal window and run the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade 

This will update the package lists and upgrade any installed packages to their latest versions.

Step 2: Install KStars

KStars is a powerful planetarium software that provides an interactive sky map, detailed information about celestial objects, and telescope control capabilities. To install KStars, run the following command:

sudo apt install kstars 

Once the installation is complete, you can launch KStars from the applications menu or in the terminal.

kstars

Step 3: Preparing Ekos

Ekos is an astrophotography and telescope control application that integrates seamlessly with KStars. The Ekos front-end is installed with KStars but relies on the INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) framework, for telescope control and device communication. If you haven’t already done so, follow our guide Harnessing Astronomy with Raspberry Pi 5: Installing INDI for Stellar Exploration to get Ekos and INDI up and running and your Raspberry Pi 5:

Step 5: Explore the Night Sky

With KStars and Ekos installed and configured, you’re ready to embark on a journey through the cosmos. Use KStars to navigate the night sky, learn about celestial objects, and plan your observing sessions. When you’re ready to capture images or control your telescope, switch to Ekos and take advantage of its advanced features for astrophotography and observatory automation.

Conclusion:

By installing KStars and Ekos on your Raspberry Pi 5, you’ve transformed your tiny computer into a powerful tool for exploring the universe. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or a beginner with a passion for stargazing, KStars and Ekos provide the tools you need to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. So grab your telescope, set up your Raspberry Pi 5, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the night sky!