Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

AstroLog is operated for members of an astronomy club or observatory. The site administrator(s) for this installation are the data controllers for member accounts and observing records stored here.

2. Information we collect

• Account details — name, display name, email address, password (stored hashed), timezone, preferences, and optional biography or avatar.
• Observing data — observing logs, notes, ratings, equipment, locations (including coordinates if you save them), and uploaded images or sketches.
• Technical data — session cookies, IP address in security or audit logs, and basic server logs needed to run and protect the service.

3. How we use your information

• To provide your personal observing log and related features (statistics, search, exports).
• To administer membership (invitations, roles, account support).
• To keep the platform secure (authentication, abuse prevention, backups).
• To calculate optional astronomical context (for example moon phase) from dates and locations you provide.

We do not sell your personal data. We do not use your observing records for advertising.

4. Observing locations

Precise coordinates may identify a home address. By default, locations and observations are private to your account. You control visibility settings where available. Do not mark home coordinates as public unless you intend them to be shared.

5. Sharing

Administrators of this AstroLog installation can access account and system information needed to run the club platform (for example resetting accounts or creating backups). Other members only see content you choose to share according to privacy settings.

We do not use third-party advertising networks. Optional weather or map services, if enabled later, will be documented here.

6. Retention

We keep your account and observing history while your membership is active. You may export your observations. Administrators may suspend, anonymise, or delete accounts according to club policy. Soft-deleted records may remain for a period to protect historical log integrity.

7. Security

We use industry-standard measures such as hashed passwords, CSRF protection, and access controls. No online service is perfectly secure; please choose a strong unique password.

8. Your rights

Depending on applicable law (including UK GDPR where relevant), you may have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal data. Contact your club administrator to exercise these rights.

9. Children

AstroLog is intended for club members. Junior members should only use the service with parental or guardian consent and under club rules.

10. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do.

11. Contact

For privacy questions, contact the AstroLog administrator for your observatory or astronomy society.