Observatory camera

[Bart]

I tried to do a search on this and thought I had seen a post or two about it.

What are people using in their remote observatory to keep an eye on the mount and scope while slewing etc. A regular web cam is no good and what sort of interference will an infra red camera give while imaging.

Any thought s much appreciated.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

I'm after the same, but for Mac. Watching this thread with interest...

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Remove the IR filter from a webcam and it should improve results otherwise monochrome security camera with Low lux sensors is another possibility.

[Paul Haese]

The only time I use the web cam is to check that the roof is closed and the mount it parked. I turn on a light remotely to do that. I don't worry about seeing what is going on any other time. If you use a 9258 IP switch you can run a light remotely.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

I'm interested in knowing when the mount is approaching the telescope's software slew limits on the east and west. Just a quick visual to avoid collisions with the pier, should the software fail.

I'm thinking of a webcam, turned back on itself from the observatory Mac Mini, aimed at the scope and pier.

I remote control that observatory/slave Mac Mini from a Macbook Pro indoors, so I'd just boot up a webcam capture program and take a peek, remotely. That's the plan, anyways...

[Moon (James)]

I use 2 IP Foscams. You can pan/tilt and turn the IR lamp on and off remotely.
Has a web interface and also iPhone app.

[Bart]

Aaah, excellent! Thank you for the tip. Cheers!

[Moon (James)]

No worries. Here is a happy snap looking up at the roof :-)

[Bart]

I guess that I could check out Jaycar and see if they have one that allows me to turn off the ir lights and then that would be all I need or is there a reason you chose the brand you did?

[Moon (James)]

It was recommended on some camera forums. You can get them on ebay no problem.
The IR on/off switch can be seen in the screen show above.

[Bart]

OK, cool!