All Sky Camera Introduction Sky At Night All

All Sky Camera Introduction • Sky At Night - All Sky Camera project • Why re-invent the wheel? – Use security dome camera housing • Cost of camera – Board cameras – Look at what sensors used in commercial Astro cameras • e. g. ZWO, DMK, Oculus All sky (£ 755) – Best available at reasonable cost is IMX 225 board (c. $30) – ICX 205 as used in Occulus All Sky cam costs about £ 180

Sensitivity Comparison 1/3" Micron Aptina AR 0130 sensor (ZWO ASI 120 MC) 1/3" SONY Exmor IMX 225 sensor (ZWO ASI 224) (IMX 224 and IMX 225 are almost Identical)

Sensitivity IMX 225 - 1 second exposure – b/w IMX 225 - 1 second exposure - colour Canon EOS 450 D 10 second exposure @ ISO 800

Mk I camera IMX 225 1. 3 MP camera with 170 degree fisheye lens- AHD output limited to 720 x 576 pixels by capture card- £ 20 from e. Bay £ 9. 99 Dummy camera housing

Mk 1 A camera 4 -channel AHD capture card Verdict is: Not Worth it $24 IMX 225 1. 3 MP camera with 170 degree fisheye lens £ 20 from e. Bay £ 9. 99 Dummy camera

Mk 2 camera IMX 225 camera board + IP connection + Wifi board - $28 IP or Wifi interface at 1280 x 720 (720 p) up to 120 frames/ second

Example (720 x 576 p) Summer triangle and Milky Way

Software • • i. Spy 64 - FREE !!! Sharpcap – FREE !!! Handy AVI (like i. Spy but license costs $39. 95) i. Spy/ Handy. AVI functions: – Time lapse video – Motion detect snapshot – ‘Meteor’ event detection video – Multiple cameras – Web access – Email/SMS notification of events

The next step • Finalise design of housing, interface and dew heater • Finalise sourcing of parts • Establish numbers interested • Buy parts and make up kits • Set a date for workshop

‘Build a camera’ Workshop • Kit of parts – Housing – Camera – Connectors and cables • Tools • Software – preferably to be pre-loaded – i. Spy 64 (https: //www. ispyconnect. com/download. aspx) – Sharpcap (http: //www. sharpcap. co. uk/)

Thank You