Terms and Conditions

2.1 Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate and complete registration information
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

2.2 Account Types

• Client Account: Default account type for booking telescope time
• Provider Account: Extended account allowing you to list telescopes for rent (requires approval)

2.3 Account Verification

• Email verification is required for all accounts
• Providers must complete additional verification before listing telescopes
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms

3.1 How Astronomiko Works

Astronomiko enables:

• Clients to browse available telescopes, specify observation requirements, and book telescope time
• Providers to list their remote-operated telescopes, capture astronomical images, and deliver them to clients
• Secure payment processing through a credit-based system
• Quality assurance through review periods and dispute resolution

3.2 Platform Role

Astronomiko acts as an intermediary platform. We facilitate connections between Clients and Providers, process payments securely, provide tools for booking management and photo delivery, and mediate disputes when necessary.

We do not own or operate telescopes, guarantee specific weather conditions or observation results, or take responsibility for equipment failures (unless Provider negligence is proven).

4.1 Browsing Telescopes

• View detailed specifications including aperture, focal length, and imaging system
• Check telescope location, sky quality (Bortle scale), and availability
• Review hourly rates and minimum booking requirements
• See telescope images and Provider ratings

4.2 Creating a Booking

To book telescope time, you must: select a telescope based on your requirements; specify requirements including target object, filter requirements, exposure time per frame, number of frames per filter, binning preference, and any special notes for the Provider; confirm duration as calculated by the system; and pay with Credits.

4.3 Client Responsibilities

• Provide clear and complete booking requirements
• Ensure sufficient credits before booking
• Review delivered photos within the 3-day review period
• Communicate professionally with Providers
• Report genuine quality issues through the dispute system

5.1 Becoming a Provider

To become a Provider, you must complete the Provider registration application, provide detailed telescope specifications (type, manufacturer, model, aperture, focal length, mount type, imaging system), specify location and sky quality information, set your hourly rate and minimum booking hours, accept Provider Terms and Conditions, acknowledge the commission structure, and await admin approval.

5.2 Commission Structure

Astronomiko operates on a transparent commission model: Providers receive 80% of each booking value, and Astronomiko retains a 20% platform fee. For example, for a 100€ booking, the Provider receives 80€.

5.3 Provider Obligations

• Equipment Maintenance: Keep your telescope and imaging equipment in good working condition
• Availability: Honor confirmed bookings and maintain accurate availability
• Quality Standards: Deliver images that meet the booking specifications
• Timely Delivery: Upload photos promptly after observations
• Communication: Respond to Client inquiries in a timely manner
• Technical Support: Assist with reasonable technical questions about delivered data
• Compliance: Follow all applicable local laws regarding equipment operation

5.4 Provider Rights

• Set your own hourly rates
• Accept or decline booking requests (before confirmation)
• Set minimum booking hours
• Define available filters and equipment
• Communicate with Clients about their requirements

6.1 AstroCredits

• Exchange Rate: 1 Credit = 1 Euro (€)
• Purchase: Credits are purchased through secure Stripe payment
• Validity: Credits are valid for the period specified at purchase
• Non-refundable: Purchased credits cannot be refunded for cash (except as specified in Section 11)

6.2 Credit Packages

• Different tiers offer varying amounts of bonus credits
• Larger packages may include promotional bonuses
• VAT (22%) applies to all purchases for EU customers

6.3 Credit Usage

Credits are deducted when a booking is confirmed. The amount is calculated based on: Hourly Rate × Duration Hours.

Credits may be refunded to your account when a booking is cancelled (subject to cancellation policy), a dispute is resolved in your favor, or a Provider fails to deliver.

6.4 Credit Transactions

All credit transactions are logged, including purchases, booking deductions, refunds, bonuses, and expirations. Transaction history is available in your account dashboard.

7.1 Booking Creation Flow

• Selection: Choose telescope and specify requirements
• Price Calculation: System calculates credits needed based on filters, frames, exposure time, and hourly rate
• Credit Check: System verifies sufficient credits
• Confirmation: Credits reserved and booking created
• Provider Notification: Provider receives booking notification with all requirements

7.2 Booking Statuses

• PENDING: Awaiting Provider acknowledgment
• CONFIRMED: Provider accepted, awaiting observation
• IN_PROGRESS: Observation/imaging underway
• COMPLETED: All sessions delivered and approved
• CANCELLED: Booking cancelled by Client or Provider
• FAILED: Booking could not be fulfilled

7.3 Booking Requirements

• Target: Object name, catalog ID, or RA/DEC coordinates
• Filters: Luminance, RGB, Narrowband (Ha, OIII, SII, etc.)
• Exposures: Duration per frame (in seconds)
• Frames: Number of frames per filter
• Binning: Pixel binning (1×1, 2×2, etc.)
• Notes: Special instructions for the Provider

8.1 Session Creation

• A booking can have multiple sessions
• Each session represents a night's observation
• Provider specifies hours completed in each session

8.2 Photo Upload

• Supported formats: FITS, JPG, PNG, TIFF
• Maximum file size: 100 MB per file
• Files organized by booking and session

8.3 Delivery Workflow

• Provider captures images according to booking requirements
• Provider creates a session and uploads files
• Provider marks session as complete
• Client receives notification that photos are ready for review
• 3-day review period begins

8.4 Photo Organization

Files are organized as: bookings/{bookingId}/sessions/{sessionId}/{filename}

9.1 The 3-Day Review Window

• Client has 3 calendar days to review the images
• Review period starts when Provider marks session as complete
• Countdown displayed in Client's booking dashboard

9.2 Client Options During Review

• View & Download: Access all delivered photos
• Approve: Confirm satisfaction with the delivery
• Open Dispute: Report quality issues (see Section 10)

9.3 Automatic Approval

If the Client takes no action within 3 days, the session is automatically approved, payment is released to the Provider, and no disputes can be opened after automatic approval.

9.4 Manual Approval

• Session status changes to "Approved"
• Payment becomes eligible for Provider payout
• Optional quality rating (1–5 stars) can be provided
• Optional feedback for the Provider

10.1 Opening a Dispute

Clients may open a dispute if delivered photos do not match the requested specifications, have quality issues (e.g., tracking errors, focus problems), are missing requested data, or have incorrect target or filters.

• Select the specific session
• Choose reason category
• Provide detailed description
• Optionally attach evidence

10.2 Dispute Categories

• Quality Issues: Technical problems with images
• Specification Mismatch: Images don't match requested parameters
• Incomplete Delivery: Missing files or frames
• Other: Any other legitimate concern

10.3 Dispute Process

• Open: Client creates dispute with details
• Under Review: Admin examines the case
• Provider Response: Provider may respond with explanation/evidence
• Resolution: Admin makes final decision

10.4 Dispute Outcomes

• Resolved – Client Favor: Credits refunded to Client
• Resolved – Provider Favor: Payment released to Provider
• Partial Resolution: Credits partially refunded/paid

10.5 Dispute Limitations

• Disputes must be opened within the 3-day review period
• Disputes cannot be opened for weather-related issues (clouds, seeing conditions) unless Provider failed to communicate
• Frivolous disputes may result in account warnings or suspension

11.1 Booking Cancellation by Client

• More than 7 days before start: 100% full refund
• 3–7 days before start: 75% refund
• 1–3 days before start: 50% refund
• Less than 24 hours before start: No refund

11.2 Cancellation by Provider

• Client receives 100% credit refund
• Provider may face penalties for repeated cancellations
• Client is notified immediately

11.3 Partial Bookings

• Completed and approved sessions are charged
• Remaining unused credits are refunded
• Refund = Total Credits Planned − Credits Used for Approved Sessions

11.4 How to Cancel

• Navigate to your booking
• Click "Request Cancellation"
• Confirm the cancellation request
• Provider is notified
• Refund processed according to policy

11.5 Non-Refundable Situations

Credits are not refunded for:

• Approved sessions (manual or automatic)
• Disputes resolved in Provider favor
• Expired credits
• Account termination due to Terms violation

12.1 Payment Eligibility

Provider payments become eligible when the session is approved (manually or automatically), the 3-day review period passes without dispute, and there are no active disputes on the session.

12.2 Payout Calculation

Provider Payout = Session Credits × 80%

12.3 Payout Processing

• Payouts are processed in batches
• Providers receive 80% of the session value
• Platform retains 20% as service fee
• Minimum payout thresholds may apply

12.4 Payout Methods

• Bank transfer (SEPA for EU)
• PayPal
• Other methods as made available

12.5 Tax Responsibilities

Providers are responsible for declaring income from Astronomiko, paying applicable taxes, and maintaining appropriate business registrations if required.

13.1 Supported File Formats

• FITS: Scientific data, raw astronomical images — max 100 MB
• JPEG/JPG: Processed images, previews — max 100 MB
• PNG: Processed images, lossless previews — max 100 MB
• TIFF: High-quality processed images — max 100 MB

13.2 FITS File Requirements

For FITS files, the following metadata is expected:

• EXPOSURE: Exposure time in seconds
• DATE-OBS: Observation timestamp
• INSTRUME: Camera identifier
• FILTER: Filter used
• XBINNING/YBINNING: Binning values
• CCD-TEMP: Sensor temperature (optional)
• OBJCTRA/OBJCTDEC: Target coordinates (optional)

13.3 Image Quality Standards

• Minimum resolution for JPG/PNG/TIFF previews: 1920×1080
• No minimum resolution for FITS (raw scientific data)
• Images should be properly focused
• Tracking should be adequate for the exposure time
• Files should not be corrupted or incomplete

13.4 Validation

• Format verification
• Resolution check (for non-FITS)
• Metadata extraction
• File integrity verification
• Frame count vs. declared hours (±20% tolerance)

14.1 Account Abuse

• Create multiple accounts
• Share account credentials
• Misrepresent identity or qualifications

14.2 Platform Manipulation

• Manipulate reviews or ratings
• Engage in fraudulent transactions
• Circumvent platform fees through off-platform deals

14.3 Content Violations

• Upload illegal content
• Share copyrighted material without authorization
• Upload malicious files

14.4 Communication Violations

• Harass other users
• Send spam or unsolicited communications
• Use abusive language

14.5 Technical Abuse

Violations may result in account suspension or termination.

• Attempt to hack or exploit the platform
• Scrape data without authorization
• Interfere with platform operations

15.1 Ownership of Captured Images

• Raw Data: Client owns full rights to images captured during their booked sessions
• Processed Images: Unless otherwise agreed, processed versions are also Client property
• Portfolio Use: Providers may request permission to use images in their portfolio

15.2 Platform Content

• Astronomiko logo, design, and content are platform property
• Users may not reproduce platform content without permission

15.3 User Content

• Users retain rights to content they upload (profiles, telescope descriptions)
• By uploading, users grant Astronomiko license to display content on the platform

16.1 Platform Limitations

Astronomiko is not liable for:

• Equipment failures or malfunctions
• Weather conditions affecting observations
• Quality of Provider equipment or services
• Loss of data (users should maintain backups)
• Disputes between Clients and Providers
• Third-party service failures (payment processors, cloud storage)

16.2 Maximum Liability

• The amount of credits involved in the disputed transaction
• For platform issues: reasonable refund of affected credits

16.3 Force Majeure

We are not liable for failures due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, power outages, or internet infrastructure failures.

17.1 Data Collection

• Account information (name, email, location)
• Transaction history
• Usage data and analytics
• Communication records

17.2 Data Use

• Provide platform services
• Process payments
• Improve user experience
• Communicate important updates
• Comply with legal obligations

17.3 Data Protection

• We implement industry-standard security measures
• Payment processing handled by certified payment providers (Stripe)
• Files stored securely on encrypted cloud storage (Backblaze B2)

17.4 Your Rights

See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

• Access your personal data
• Request data correction
• Request data deletion (subject to legal requirements)
• Export your data

18.1 Changes

• We may modify these Terms at any time
• Material changes will be communicated via email
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• Previous versions are archived and available upon request

18.2 Notification

• At least 30 days before changes take effect
• Via email and platform notification

19.1 Support

• Email: support@astronomiko.com
• Help Center: https://astronomiko.com/help

19.2 Dispute Inquiries

• Email: disputes@astronomiko.com
• Include your booking ID and session ID

19.3 Legal Inquiries

• Email: legal@astronomiko.com

19.4 Business Address

Astronomiko, [Business Address], [City, Country, ZIP]