We have developed a compact and standalone cloud monitoring system. The 2πSky consists of an all-sky camera (as an example, we use the SBIG AllSky340 monochrome camera) coupled to an embedded computer module. This module controls the camera, acquires images and stores them in local flash memory. Its main job, however, is to process the images using advanced image processing algorithms to determine the cloud coverage on selected regions of the sky. This information, overlayed on the original image of the sky, is accessible wirelessly. The module automatically logs into the observatory’s wireless network and shares its valuable weather data using a dedicated web server that can be either accessed by human or by a different computer.
2πSky provides
- dedicated solution tailored for autonomous and remotely operated observatories
- high reliability
- all-sky coverage, not just local conditions
- standalone module or complete package
- wireless communication for ease of installation, robustness and immunity to lightning surges
- custom web service, high expandability and customizability
- professional solution relying on astronomical image processing algorithms and celestial mechanics
- automatic calibration and simplified setup
- hardware and software customizable to support different cameras
2πSky overview
- complete solution including all-sky camera
- available as an add-on module to existing all-sky camera installations
- includes dedicated power and communication hardware modules compatible with the selected all-sky camera
- includes image processing, database and web server software modules
- optional wired Ethernet connection where WiFi is not accessible
- weatherproof enclosure and connectors
If you are interested in 2πSky for your observatory, please contact us: cilium (at) cilium.pl
