Sky Watching Cams

[LostInSp_ce]

While I'm still contemplating if I should invest in a cloud watcher I'm curious as what others do for monitoring the skies? I've seen some dedicated sky cams e.g SkyEye but they're expensive and are probably overkill for my needs.

Are outdoor security cams the next best thing e.g Arlos/Nest or astrocams such as the ASI 120 with its fisheye lens housed in a dome the way to go?

[hamptonskies]

ScopeStuff in the US used to do a kit for an all sky camera using a Meade DSI and a fish eye lens. It works great but unfortunately they discontinued it. You maybe able to pick one up on Astromart.

[ericwbenson]

Check out this project:

https://github.com/thomasjacquin/allsky
The hardware build is covered here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Wireless-All-Sky-Camera/


Building it is very easy, the software is actually the really hard part, but the above codebase above does it all for you (but you need a raspberry pi).

I made one using an ASI 224MC with an Aercont lens (fancier than the basic level) but the lens included with the small ASI cameras is sufficient.


BTW for those wanting to use a separate windows computer with the camera check out:
https://www.allskeye.com/



Best,
EB

[LostInSp_ce]

Thanks guys exactly what I was looking for. Looks like another thing to add to the DIY list. This hobby... well it might not happen this year but it will happen! :rofl:

[jwoody]

Did you build this. Wanting to do the same but having trouble finding a suitable lens to buy in Australia. What did you go with?
This is about the closest and cheapest I can find
https://www.amazon.com.au/StarDot-LEN-2M1-55MMCS-1-55-1-55mm-1-5-1-5-Fisheye/dp/B01CX4U7DK

[bojan]

Have a look at this thread, you may find it interesting....

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=177497


GMN (https://globalmeteornetwork.org/) came to their choices after extenisive tests.

[jwoody]

Thank you.

[jwoody]

I ended up buying this - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32980521726.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311. 0.0.63c54c4deoOKju
with the 1.7mm lens. See what happens :)

[bojan]

Good choice IMO!

[LostInSp_ce]

Good luck Jeremy it looks like it'll work well. I've put this on hold because it's a luxury and not a necessity for my setup. Therefore it sits at the bottom end of my DIY list. Looking forward I probably won't get around to it until another 12 months (hard to say atm) but I'll do my best to remember to resurrect this thread with some pics when it's done, so for now there's not much to report on sorry.

Meanwhile as a temp solution I use a Nest Cam to view incoming weather (this is my Cloud Watcher). It gives me about a 15-20 minute warning before the clouds reach my observing location, which is just enough time for me to finish my coffee before I have to close the roof.