Ultimate observatory protection

LLLOD

Lunatico Last Line of Defence

It will take control in case of need.

LLLOD runs silently on your observatory PC. It monitors the roof, the mount, the internet connection, your automation software and the weather — and if anything becomes unsafe, it closes the observatory. Automatically. Reliably. Every time.

Up To You Ware — free to use, donate if you wish
What it monitors

Everything that can go wrong, watched

LLLOD checks five critical areas of your observatory, periodically and automatically, so nothing slips through unnoticed.

The roof or shutter

Monitors via ASCOM. If the roof is open when it shouldn't be — or if it fails to close when commanded — LLLOD acts.

Internet connectivity

Checks that the PC can reach the internet. Loss of connectivity can leave your observatory blind to remote commands.

Automation software

Monitors that your imaging or sequencing program is still running. A silent crash leaves your dome open with no one in control.

Weather — ASCOM safety

Reads the ASCOM Safety Monitor interface. If the connected weather sensor (CloudWatcher, Hydreon, etc.) reports unsafe, LLLOD responds.

Mount position

Monitors via ASCOM telescope. Checks that the mount isn't pointing dangerously downward — catching meridian flip or slew failures.

When something goes wrong

LLLOD waits a configurable number of seconds to confirm the unsafe condition isn't transient, then takes control in an orderly sequence:

  1. Execute your closure script (parking mount, closing roof, stopping software)
  2. Park the mount if it isn't already parked
  3. Close the roof or shutter if it's open
  4. Report the event to GNS — so you're alerted on your phone immediately

Each step is configurable. You choose what LLLOD does and in what order.

"LLLOD is extremely simple. It just does a simple job, but it does it solidly."
— Lunaticoastro, product description

LLLOD is written in Lua and designed to stay out of your way. It runs hidden in the background and only acts when it has to.

Better together with GNS

LLLOD and GNS are separate, independent products — but they're designed to work as a pair. LLLOD handles the physical response; GNS handles the human notification.

The combination means that if LLLOD successfully closes your observatory, GNS confirms it. And if LLLOD fails — can't close the dome, can't park the mount — GNS raises the alarm immediately so you can intervene.

Learn about GNS →

What GNS + LLLOD gives you

  • LLLOD closes the observatory if conditions are unsafe
  • GNS confirms the closure happened
  • GNS alerts you on your phone if closure failed
  • GNS monitors the whole session, not just safety events
  • Together: complete hardware protection + human awareness
Software screenshots

Simple by design

LLLOD's interface shows exactly what it's monitoring and whether everything is OK — nothing more, nothing less.

LLLOD main window with monitoring active — shutter open, internet OK, telescope altitude 69°, rain sensor 10, software running
LLLOD main window showing monitored icons: shutter, internet, telescope, weather, software
LLLOD configuration — roof, mount, internet, program monitoring, GNS reporting settings