StellarMate OS 2.2.0 launches with other updates

Ikarus Technologies announces the availability of StellarMate OS 2.2.0 alongside a set of companion updates that streamline imaging, expand hardware compatibility, and strengthen community features. This release brings KStars 3.8.3, INDI 2.2.2, native support for Seestar and Alpaca devices, and enhancements across the StellarMate App and EkosLive. The goal is simple and practical. Help astrophotographers set up faster, operate more reliably, and stay engaged with a growing global community.

StellarMate OS 2.2.0 Highlights

StellarMate OS 2.2.0 integrates KStars 3.8.3 and INDI 2.2.2 to deliver a dependable and more capable platform for observatory control. The release introduces a new SPK physics based math plug for INDI Alignment that refines modeling accuracy during plate solving and mount synchronization. Owners of Celestron Evolution mounts gain battery telemetry visibility along with stability improvements to reduce unexpected disconnects and extend field time. Hardware support expands with a tentative basic driver for the Atik EFW1 filter wheel, a driver for the Wanderer ETA M54 Electronic Tilt Adjuster, and a dedicated driver for the Pegasus Flatmaster Neo. Movement control for the Avalon UPAS is corrected for more predictable slews. The esp32go driver broadens support for microcontroller accessories, and Gemini dust cap Pro variants are now recognized for automated opening and closing. This release also builds in native discovery and control pathways for Seestar and Alpaca devices, enabling plug and play connectivity through the INDI framework without extra middleware. The combined result is smoother alignment, more resilient power and connectivity behavior, and broader compatibility that shortens the path from setup to first exposure.

StellarMate App v3.0.0 for iOS and Android

The StellarMate App advances to version 3.0.0 on both iOS and Android with significant performance improvements and a focused round of fixes. A major addition is artificial horizon support in the Sky Map. Users can import a CSV file or create their horizon profile directly in the app, and both Mount Modeling and the Scheduler now account for this profile when planning and running jobs. Sign in is simpler with Google and Apple authentication when paired with StellarMate OS 2.2.0. Community Leaderboards arrive in the app so you can track progress, gain experience points, unlock perks, and compare your standing with astrophotographers worldwide. Object loading in Targets is more reliable, subframing for Bayer color streams preserves region of interest boundaries, Align index file downloads complete as expected, and the Scheduler job count is now in sync with Ekos. Reconnections after the app goes to the background are handled more gracefully. Stella, the app assistant, can honor more natural commands, including requests to exclude specific scheduler constraints, such as ignoring a minimum altitude limit for a short capture run. License management is streamlined for owners of multiple StellarMate devices, and translations are updated for Chinese, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.

INDI Now Supports ASCOM Alpaca

The INDI framework now speaks ASCOM Alpaca natively, which brings Alpaca compatible gear directly into Linux and macOS workflows. With automatic discovery over the local network, KStars and Ekos can control Alpaca hardware through the same interface used for other INDI devices. This reduces dependency on platform specific drivers and removes the need for a Windows installation. For users, the impact is practical. Less time spent on driver workarounds and more time focused on imaging with the equipment you already own, including the latest smart telescopes and wireless mounts.

Introducing the EkosLive Community Leaderboard

The EkosLive Community Leaderboard is live and accessible from the Community tab in the StellarMate App or directly at https colon slash slash ekoslive dot com. The leaderboard offers a light and motivating way to connect with others, see how your activity compares worldwide, and celebrate steady progress over time. Experience points are earned by completing achievements in EkosLive, capturing new celestial targets to expand your portfolio, and contributing to the community by sharing images and engaging with peers. As you level up, you move through tiers that may unlock perks. It is a simple structure designed to reward consistency and offer a friendly nudge toward your next session under clear skies.

Community and Events

StellarMate continues to support the observing and imaging community through events and partnerships. A recent sponsorship at the Chiefland Astronomy Village included contributing a StellarMate Pro to the event raffle. The winner has already put it to good use, and we appreciate the organizers for creating a welcoming environment where observers and imagers can share techniques, compare results, and help one another troubleshoot gear in the field. When the community grows more capable, everyone benefits, from first time imagers to seasoned narrowband collectors.

How to Get Started and Share Feedback

StellarMate OS 2.2.0 is available to existing users through the built in update tools, and new users can download a fresh image from their account portal. The StellarMate App v3.0.0 can be installed or updated through the App Store and Google Play. If you have Alpaca or Seestar hardware, connect it to your local network and use device discovery to bring it into KStars and Ekos. To take advantage of artificial horizon support, add your horizon in the Sky Map so the Scheduler and Mount Modeling can respect local obstructions. If you work with a Celestron Evolution mount, enable battery telemetry to monitor power at a glance. For anyone using automation with tilt, flat fields, or filter wheels, the new drivers for Wanderer ETA M54, Pegasus Flatmaster Neo, and Atik EFW1 expand your options. We also invite you to complete the short StellarMate survey. Your feedback helps guide roadmap priorities and ensures that the most requested capabilities make it into future builds.

Clear Skies Ahead

This set of updates stays focused on practical gains. Native support for Seestar and Alpaca devices lowers setup time. Artificial horizon support in the Sky Map helps the scheduler plan around real world obstructions. The community leaderboards make it easy to see how you are progressing compared with photographers around the globe. Under the hood, the combination of KStars 3.8.3 and INDI 2.2.2, along with targeted driver additions and stability work, strengthens the core that many rely on for every session. Whether you are refining a permanent observatory or packing a portable kit for a quick window of clear weather, StellarMate is shaped to help you spend less time configuring and more time capturing.

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