# Arcsecond.io MCP > Arcsecond.io connects your AI agent directly to a massive database of astronomical data and observatory tools. Search for anything from stars to entire galaxies; check out specific telescopes, list observation sites, or pull detailed night logs for any facility. It's the single source you need to manage complex celestial research workflows. ## Overview - **Category:** the-unthinkable - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** astronomy, observatory-data, celestial-objects, data-logging, research-tools, scientific-data ## Description Working with deep scientific datasets—like those generated by observatories—is usually a headache of manual queries and fragmented APIs. This MCP lets your agent bypass that mess entirely. You can ask it to search for specific stellar objects, or pull up the full list of telescopes used at a certain site. Need to track historical performance? It gathers night logs organized by local noon-to-noon cycles, so you don't have to compile dozens of CSVs yourself. When your agent hits Vinkius, it has access to this entire catalog, making complex scientific data retrieval simple conversationally. You just tell it what coordinates or type of metadata you need; the MCP handles connecting to all those background databases and giving you a clean output. ## Tools ### get_account_check Verifies that your AI agent has successfully connected to the Arcsecond account. ### get_object Retrieves detailed astrophysical data for one specific celestial body using its ID or coordinates. ### list_datasets Shows which scientific datasets are currently available for use with a specific observatory. ### list_night_logs Retrieves an overview of historical observation logs and calibration records for the facility. ### list_observing_sites Lists all physical observing locations associated with a given observatory subdomain. ### list_telescopes Provides an inventory of telescopes installed at the specified observatory site. ### search_objects Searches for any astronomical object, including stars, planets, and galaxies. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Search for the 'Andromeda Galaxy' and get its coordinates. ``` **Response:** ``` I've found the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). Its coordinates are RA: 00h 42m 44s, Dec: +41° 16′ 09″. ``` **Prompt:** ``` List all observing sites for the 'lco' observatory. ``` **Response:** ``` The LCO observatory has several sites, including McDonald Observatory (Texas), Cerro Tololo (Chile), and Siding Spring (Australia). ``` **Prompt:** ``` Show me recent night logs for subdomain 'my-observatory'. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the latest 5 night logs for 'my-observatory'. The most recent log from last night contains 15 successful observations and 3 calibration frames. ``` ## Capabilities ### Find celestial objects Search for specific stars, planets, or galaxies by name or criteria, retrieving their official names and precise coordinates. ### Retrieve object metadata Get detailed astrophysical data on any known celestial body, including visual magnitude and classifications. ### List observatory components Check the existing list of sites, telescopes, or datasets associated with a specific observing facility. ### Track observation history Pull detailed night logs to monitor ongoing research and historical calibration data. ## Use Cases ### Diagnosing a system failure The ops engineer needs to know why the facility isn't running. They ask their agent to first run `list_observing_sites` to confirm location status, then use `get_object` on a known target object to check if basic data is available—pinpointing whether the issue is local or systemic. ### Planning deep field observation A researcher needs coordinates for 15 different galaxies. Instead of looking up each one, they prompt their agent with `search_objects` and ask it to return all RA/Dec coordinates in a single, usable list. ### Building a research report A data scientist needs to analyze the past quarter's work. They ask their agent to run `list_night_logs` and then use `list_datasets` to scope out what raw data they can pull for the final paper. ### Onboarding a new team member The PI needs an overview of all available assets. They prompt their agent to run both `list_telescopes` and `list_datasets`, getting a single report that details what equipment is present and what data pools exist. ## Benefits - Get instant object metadata: Instead of multiple lookups, using `get_object` pulls comprehensive details (like visual magnitude) for any star or galaxy in one go. - Simplify site inventory: You can quickly list all available observing sites and check the current telescope roster just by calling `list_observing_sites` and `list_telescopes`. - Manage historical data flow: Use `list_night_logs` to pull structured records of observations, letting you monitor performance cycles without manual log consolidation. - Efficient object searching: The `search_objects` tool lets your agent query for objects using natural language parameters, far faster than writing complex coordinate filters. - Audit data availability: Before running an analysis, call `list_datasets` to confirm which specific scientific datasets are ready and available for retrieval. ## How It Works The bottom line is, instead of writing complex API calls in Python, you just talk to your agent and it handles the whole backend query flow. 1. First, your agent runs `get_account_check` to verify the connection credentials for the Arcsecond account. 2. Next, you direct it to run a search or list command, like using `search_objects` or calling `list_telescopes`, providing necessary parameters (e.g., observatory subdomain). 3. The MCP processes those requests against the astronomical database and returns structured data—be that coordinates for an object or a chronological list of observation logs. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I find coordinates for a star using `search_objects`?** You simply tell your agent the name of the object or type (e.g., 'spiral galaxy'). The tool returns the official coordinates, including RA/Dec values. **Can I check which telescopes are at a site using `list_telescopes`?** Yes. You provide your observatory subdomain to the agent, and it runs `list_telescopes`, giving you an immediate list of all installed equipment. **What is the difference between `search_objects` and `get_object`?** `search_objects` finds candidates based on a general query, while `get_object` requires specific object identifiers to pull deep metadata for one single item. **How do I get available raw data using `list_datasets`?** Use the agent to call `list_datasets`. You'll need to provide the observatory identifier, and it will tell you exactly what datasets are ready for analysis. **Does `get_account_check` do more than just verify connection?** No, its job is simple: it verifies your agent's access credentials to the Arcsecond account. It confirms that subsequent calls will work. **What kind of detailed metadata can I expect when using the `get_object` tool?** The tool provides extensive astrophysical data. You'll get details like visual magnitude, object classifications, and official names for millions of celestial objects. **Does `list_night_logs` handle multiple time zones when retrieving observations?** Night logs are organized by local noon-to-noon cycles. When reviewing historical data, always cross-reference the timestamps against your specific local system clock for accuracy. **What happens if I use `list_observing_sites` with an unrecognized observatory subdomain?** If the domain isn't recognized, it means we haven't established a connection to that facility. You must first verify your account credentials or contact support before running site listing commands. **How do I get my Arcsecond.io API Key?** Log in to your Arcsecond.io account and go to your **Profile** page. You will find your Personal API Key there. **What is an observatory subdomain?** If you are part of a specific observatory or organization on Arcsecond.io, your data is hosted on a subdomain (e.g., `myobs.arcsecond.io`). You can use this subdomain to access site-specific data. **Can I search for any astronomical object?** Yes, the `search_objects` tool allows you to search across millions of objects in the SIMBAD, Gaia, and other astronomical databases integrated into Arcsecond.io.