Connect
Connect to Astronomy Core
Choose REST or MCP — same operations and credits. Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Cursor, VS Code, and AI apps you build yourself. OAuth for chat assistants; API keys for REST and IDEs. Full catalog in Docs.
1. Get an API key
Create a key in your dashboard — it looks like ac_live_.... Copy it once at creation,
then paste it into the curl example below.
2. Run your first request
Solar system snapshot (Rome, defaults) — replace ac_live_... with your key. Same example as Docs.
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer ac_live_..." \ "https://api.astronomycore.com/v1/snapshots?latitude=41.9028&longitude=12.4964"
3. Example response
Sample payload for Rome defaults — your live response includes full meta and observer fields.
{
"data": {
"observerData": {
"sun": {
"body": "sun",
"altitude": 59.4851,
"azimuth": 160.2144,
"distanceAu": 1.0162
},
"moon": {
"body": "moon",
"altitude": 42.118,
"azimuth": 248.331,
"phase": "waxing gibbous",
"illumination": 0.812
}
}
},
"meta": {
"tier": "free",
"engine": "ephemeris",
"referenceFrame": "topocentric",
"units": {
"angles": "deg",
"distance": "au",
"time": "UTC"
}
}
} Rate limits, error codes, and schemas → API reference.
Choose your client
OAuth assistants need no API key; IDEs use Bearer ac_live_… from your dashboard.
Config: Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors
- Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector.
- Name: Astronomy Core · URL: https://mcp.astronomycore.com
- Authentication: OAuth · Client id: claude → Add.
- Sign in at astronomycore.com when prompted.
Revoke from dashboard → Connected AI Assistants.
Config: .mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} Requires Node.js — quit Claude (Cmd+Q) after saving.
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"--header",
"Authorization:${ASTRONOMY_CORE_AUTH}"
],
"env": {
"ASTRONOMY_CORE_AUTH": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} OAuth is recommended when available. Manual key path requires Node.js.
Config: Settings → Plugins → Developer mode
- Open ChatGPT → Settings → Plugins → enable Developer mode.
- Click Browse plugins → New Plugin.
- Name: AstronomyCore · Connection type: Server URL · Server URL: https://mcp.astronomycore.com
- Authentication: OAuth · OAuth Client ID: chatgpt.
- If asked for registration method (DCR/CIMD unavailable), choose User-Defined OAuth Client · leave Client secret empty.
- Save, then complete sign-in and approve access at astronomycore.com.
{
"model": "gpt-4.1",
"tools": [{
"type": "mcp",
"server_label": "astronomy-core",
"server_url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}]
} See OpenAI MCP docs for the latest connector requirements.
Config: ~/.cursor/mcp.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} Config: .vscode/mcp.json or MCP: Open User Configuration
{
"servers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} Config: Perplexity (Comet) → Connectors
- Comet desktop app → Connectors → Add custom connector.
- Name: AstronomyCore · URL: https://mcp.astronomycore.com
- Authentication: OAuth · Client id: perplexity
- Check “I understand…”, click Add, approve at astronomycore.com.
Revoke from dashboard → Connected AI Assistants.
Config: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"serverUrl": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} Windsurf uses serverUrl (not url). Refresh the Cascade MCP toolbar after saving.
Config: ~/.gemini/config/mcp_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"serverUrl": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} grok.com/connectors
- Open grok.com/connectors.
- Click New Connector → Custom.
- Enter the MCP server URL: https://mcp.astronomycore.com.
- When prompted for auth, use Bearer with your ac_live_… API key from the dashboard.
# xAI SDK (programmatic)
tools=[{
"type": "mcp",
"server_label": "astronomy-core",
"server_url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}] Streamable HTTP and SSE transports are supported.
Config: Cline extension → MCP Servers → Edit configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"astronomy-core": {
"url": "https://mcp.astronomycore.com",
"type": "streamableHttp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer ac_live_..."
}
}
}
} Other MCP clients
Any MCP-compatible client can connect with the hosted server URL and Bearer auth.
- Server URL
https://mcp.astronomycore.com- Transport
- Streamable HTTP (stateless POST)
- Protocol
- MCP 2025-06-18
- Auth header
Authorization: Bearer ac_live_...
Example tool: get_sky_snapshot — see Docs for schemas and all 43 tools.