Build an All-Sky Camera

Rocky Mountain Star Stare

June 7, 2024

Tom Zepf

Agenda

• What is an All-Sky Camera?
• What can you do with an All-Sky Camera?
• Why do you want one?
• Why build one?
• What does it take?
• Hardware
• Software
• Build the Hardware
• Build the Software
• Allsky
• INDI-Allsky
• Tips, Tricks, Areas to explore
• References / Help

What is an All-Sky Camera?

• A Camera that can take in a large view of the sky
• Typically 150° - 180° Field of View (Fish-Eye)
• 1-3 mm Focal Length
• Fixed in place (not tracking the sky)
• Permanently placed close to an imaging or viewing location
• Some folks have portable versions they take into the field when traveling
• Deployed in a weatherproof configuration
• Typically a color (OSC) camera
• It usually refers to not just the physical camera, but the supporting hardware and software as well
• Real-time viewable on a home network, and optionally on the Internet

What can you do with an All-Sky Camera?

• See what’s going on right now at your location
• Is reality matching the weather prediction?
• What targets are in view and clearing my obstructions?
• Is it dark or light yet?
• What’s my telescope doing?

What can you do with an All-Sky Camera?

• Watch a time-lapse video of the moon, planets, stars, and constellations rolling by
• Watch your telescope as it slews and tracks the sky
• Marvel at the number of airplanes and satellites
• Curse the clouds!

What can you do with an All-Sky Camera?

• Look at a Keogram
• A time-lapse glimpse of a sliver of the sky 1 pixel wide
• A great all-at-once way to see weather and constellations as the night passes

What can you do with an All-Sky Camera?

• Overlay other interesting real-time data
• Constellation / Planetarium overlay
• Weather
• Sky Quality
• Smoke
• Aurora
• Planets, Satellites
• Custom
• Watch during the day, not just at night
• Watch animal, bird, and insect visitors
• But, if a living area is in the picture, it may be a privacy concern!

Why build one?

• Because you don’t have the means, approval, time, or energy to build a full-size observatory
• Or because you have a full-size observatory
• Because you love tinkering
• Historical record of sky and weather at your location
• It’s fun and satisfying
• Get points from your spouse for using that imaging camera and computer that are gathering dust on your shelf
• It’s a project with real hardware that needs to be cut, drilled, screwed, aligned, crimped, weatherproofed, etc, etc
• Helps answer those burning questions
• Why were my images so good (or horrible!) last night?
• What did I miss by not imaging last night?
• Is that target finally clearing my house, trees, etc.?

Why build one?

• Why build one instead of buy one?
• There really aren’t any modern “all in one” solutions
• You can get some older generation cameras in an enclosure
• Expensive for what you get
• You will benefit from modern high-resolution, low-noise cameras
• And you still need to invest in connecting the camera to a computer and configuring the software
• There will be tinkering!
• Coolness / Fun Factor

What hardware does it take?

• Imaging Camera
• Planetary Camera (Hockey Puck or “Mini”)
• Raspberry Pi / Arduino Camera
• Raspberry Pi HQ
• Capture Computer
• Raspberry Pi
• “Mini” PC like you might use for Astro-Image Capture
• Cabling
• USB2 or USB3 for images
• Ethernet (or WiFi)
• Power (can be Power over Ethernet)
• Enclosure(s)
• Everything outside needs to be waterproof
• Be especially mindful of any household voltage wiring

Imaging Camera / Lens

• Camera Recommendations
• 1-8 MP Resolution - Limited by the lenses, acrylic domes, storage space, processing power
• Low-Noise - Summertime temps can cause issues
• Ease of mounting
• USB2+ Speeds - Higher-speed can limit the cable length and interfere with GPS / WiFi
• Square is good!
• Fisheye Lens
• Sometimes the lens that comes with a planetary camera is good enough
• Often don’t have a 180° view in at least one dimension
• There are a number of relatively low cost lenses on Amazon, eBay, etc that might be better
• As soon as you find one, it’s gone, though
• Field of View will depend on the size of your sensor and focal length of your lens
• Adapting Hardware
• Getting the lens attached and positioned correctly on the camera and attached to the housing can be challenging

My Current Favorite Camera / Lens

• ZWO ASI676MC: https://www.zwoastro.com/product/asi676mc/
• Square sensor!
• Provided lens is actually quite good, especially when covered by acrylic dome
• Locking focus is quite a pain, though
• Already has IR-Cut window installed
• Starvis 2 - very low noise, high dynamic range, no amp-glow
• Relatively inexpensive: $349
• Be sure to ink-out the bright lettering on the lens
• Nice planetary / solar / lunar camera if you want to repurpose or dual purpose

My 2nd Favorite Camera / Lens

• ZWO ASI678MC: https://www.zwoastro.com/product/zwo-asi678mc/
• ZWO UV IR-Cut D21 Window: https://www.zwoastro.com/product/zwo-protective-window-for-asi-cameras/
• M12 1.7mm 180° HD Lens: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJZJD8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• C/CS to M12 Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091JRW2BC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• M12 Lock Nut: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WGLX4XH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

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All Sky Camera Computers

• Raspberry Pi 3 (maybe), 4, 5 (recommended)
• Cheap, Low-Power, Tiny, Ubiquitous
• DIY friendly with an enormous community
• Can be fan-less (look for a Flirc aluminum case)
• Limited to 8GB memory (it’s enough)
• Hard disk is usually microSD (good and bad)
• Easy to burn a microSD card and install without keyboard, mouse, monitor
• Power is USB-C 5 volt and 2-3 amp (takes a little effort to match things up)
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a popular option
• Wifi can be spotty, but indications are Pi 5 is better
• Can be used with either Allsky or INDI-Allsky software
• USB camera traffic can have truly awful effect on its own and neighboring WiFi and GPS
• Need to try with the new Raspberry Pi 5
• You will need to learn Raspberry-Pi Operating System (Linux)
• Ubuntu an option for INDI-Allsky

My current Raspberry Pi

• Raspberry Pi Model 4B, 8GB w/ 256GB microSD (consider RPi 5 now)
• Available many places: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LYP7QH3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Consider fan-less case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WG4DW52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
• Power-over-Ethernet Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087F4QCTR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

All Sky Camera Computers

• Mini-PC - MeLE 2 (maybe), 3, 4, many other brands (look for N100 cpu now)
• Like you may already use for image capture
• Fairly Low-Cost, Low-Power “headless” PC
• Cheap, Low-Power, Small, Ubiquitous
• Can be fan-less
• Support up to 16GB, NVME disks (if you want more storage)
• Probably need keyboard, mouse, monitor to do initial install
• Power is usually 12 volt and 2-3 amp (may need a special power supply)
• PoE possible but might have to build a cable
• Can only be used with INDI-Allsky unless your are comfortable with some very rough edges around AllSky
• USB interference is much better, at least for the MeLE units
• Even though these usually ship with Windows 11 Pro, you will have to install and learn Linux
• Ubuntu LTS is a good choice

My current Mini-PC

• MeLE Quieter 3Q N5105, 16GB, 512GB:
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BYZ31STX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
• The even better MeLE Quieter 4C N100, 16GB, 512GB should work too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CP3YL6J7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
• Ubuntu LTS Server Linux
• Easy to add additional NVME storage if you want to host a lot of archival images
• Fan-less design can get a bit warm, but no moving parts
• Hardware and software will throttle, as needed, so not an overriding concern

Enclosures - Traditional Approach

• Put the Camera, short USB cable, Computer, and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) adapter in one enclosure. Put Power, Network, and a PoE Injector in a second enclosure
• Advantages:
• Short USB cable run
• Computer can heat the enclosure to (help) prevent dew and condensation in the wintertime
• PoE Cabling can be cut to length and fit through small openings
• Disadvantages:
• Larger enclosure (aesthetics, wind)
• Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) hardware
• WiFi directly from the Computer may not work
• Computer and Camera heat can make the enclosure hot in the summertime

Enclosures - Traditional Approach (Project Box)

Enclosures - Traditional Approach (ABS Pipe)

Enclosures - “Long USB” Approach (Project Box)

• Put just the Camera and a long USB cable in one enclosure. Put Power, Computer, and Network (if needed) in a second enclosure.
• Advantages:
• Small enclosure (aesthetics, wind)
• WiFi from the Computer might very well work
• No need for ethernet switch and WiFi access point
• No Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) hardware
• Disadvantages:
• Likely to exceed USB3 cable length limitations
• It might very well work anyway, though
• Long cables can be difficult to find
• May generate more noise (use ferrite beads)
• No heating of the camera enclosure to help with dew or�condensation
• You can’t (practically) make a custom-length cable

Second Enclosure

• Sprinkler Control Box works well
• Can stuff power, network, compute, etc.
• Anything except the camera
• If camera is close to observatory (or other building) you can house inside the structure and run cable outside
• Weather-proofing is important
• Drip loops in cabling
• Seal mounting holes with caulk
• Critter control
• AC power and water don’t mix well (GFCI)
• Site in a convenient but unobtrusive location
• I recommend remote wifi power control

Strategies - Power

• Run AC into the camera enclosure and put the power brick inside
• Advantages: Easy to splice for Cable Gland, No need for 2nd box!
• Disadvantages: Bulk, Heat, Electronic Noise and Wifi
• Run USB-C (PD) cable from second enclosure
• Advantages: Smaller primary enclosure, no PoE complications
• Disadvantages: Not easy to splice cable for cable gland, short cable runs
• Run Power over Ethernet (PoE) from second enclosure
• Advantages: One cable, ethernet supports long cable runs, no Wifi
• Disadvantages: Complicated, Splicing connectors can be difficult
• Don’t run power at all - just run a long USB cable
• Advantages: Very small box with just the camera
• Disadvantages: USB cable length limits, Electronic Noise and GPS / Wifi

Strategies - Camera, Lens, Bubble

• Hockey Puck vs RPi/Arduino
• Keep the Camera as cool as you can
• But you don’t need/want a cooled camera
• Reflections are a challenge
• Black out any surface facing the bubble
• Black out lettering on the Lens
• Experiment with distances, bubble size, material
• Glass is an option, but very expensive
• The Camera should be fixed in place
• You don’t want it to rotate or drop from the lid
• A 2 inch hole saw is perfect for cutting the enclosure
• Hockey Puck cameras fit nicely
• Affix the Bubble with outdoor RTV adhesive
• Careful it is easy to smear

Strategies - Network

• Use computer Wifi
• Simple, fast, ubiquitous, no wires or other hardware
• May have issues with USB3 interference
• May have range issues
• Use wired network
• Simple, fast, ubiquitous, but needs a wire
• Can run from your main router or from a Wireless Access Point in your second enclosure
• Cable can be 300 feet in most cases
• Power over Ethernet (PoE)
• Somewhat complicated, fast, not as available, but you need a power cable anyway…
• Cable lengths are generous, but not as long as regular ethernet
• Can use a PoE “Hat” for Raspberry Pi, or a dongle for Pi or Mini-PC

Strategies - Cables

• You can use Cable Glands on round cables
• If the connector is huge, you can use a large gland and just seal the hole with a blob of caulk
• Or, if you can cut the cable and splice in a new connector, that works too
• Power over Ethernet, AC
• USB3 is limited to 3 meters
• High Quality (L-Com) makes a difference but you’ll pay for it
• Consider USB-C if your computer supports it (smaller cable)
• USB2 can run longer, but make sure you use a USB2 port
• Tie cables down with zip-ties, staples, velcro, conduit, etc.
• Think about birds, rodents, bugs, or other curious creatures
• All AC cable runs should be done with care. GFCI protected.
• Put a Wifi switch on your AC supply so you can power-cycle remotely

Rough Hardware Installation Steps

• First, run it all and experiment indoors!
• Figure out where you want to put the enclosures
• Build the camera enclosure
• Build the second enclosure
• Mount the enclosures outside
• Run cables
• Clip or strap down securely (wind, aesthetics)
• Boot it all up and see how it behaves
• View of sky
• Network performance
• Thermal management
• Iterate!

All Sky Camera Software

• Allsky Camera: https://github.com/AllskyTeam/allsky
• Nice integration with Raspberry Pi
• But only works well and easily on a Raspberry Pi
• Linux based
• Works with Raspberry Pi and ZWO cameras
• Great documentation, great community
• Has a planetarium like overlay!
• Has a map of devices around the world

All Sky Camera Software

• INDI-Allsky: https://github.com/aaronwmorris/indi-allsky
• Works well with Raspberry Pi and Mini-PC
• Any Debian Linux (Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, etc)
• Works with any INDI supported camera
• Great documentation, great community

All Sky Camera Software

• It’s a Linux world, and may take a lot of getting used to
• Allsky wiki has a good intro to Linux
• You’ll be using command line tools, ssh, etc.
• It’s Open Source
• Support is completely voluntary and community based
• You can contribute back if you’ve got something useful to others
• Can be a little rough around the edges, but both Allsky and INDI-Allsky are pretty mature at this point
• Three Layers
• Real-time capture every minute (or so)
• Local website for historical data (timelapse, keogram, star trails)
• Optional remote website for archival / Internet access
• Be careful exposing to the Internet unless you know what you’re doing

Rough Software Installation Steps

• Details on github for both Allsky and INDI-Allsky
• Very thorough and high quality
• Install base Operating System (Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, etc)
• Get to “headless” configuration (ssh and command line)
• Pull software from Github
• Do initial configuration (hardware, software options)
• Debug, tweak, experiment, start over a dozen times, etc. (live fearlessly)
• Configure local website (hosted on capture computer)
• Time Lapses, Keograms, Star Trails, etc.
• Accumulate some data over a few nights
• Debug, tweak, experiment, start over a dozen times, etc. (live fearlessly)
• Configure remote website on second computer (entirely optional)
• Host in your home network DMZ (free)
• Host in the cloud (may cost a little)

Overlays

• Date, Time, Location
• Allsky software can overlay a star map, planets, Sun, Moon, Messier objects, galaxies, etc.
• Tedious to configure, but very slick when done
• Weather information
• Home weather station
• Public weather sources
• Sky Quality
• Air Quality
• Planets and Moon data
• Satellite Passes
• Infinitely Customizable

Ongoing Maintenance

• Clean the dome
• Dust, pollen, bird stuff, insect stuff, leaves, snow, ice, etc.
• Keep the Operating System patched
• apt-get update, apt-get upgrade, etc.
• Upgrade the Software if / as needed
• git pull, run update procedures
• Check cables for wear and damage
• Test GFCI from time to time

My Preferences Today

• Enclosures
• Camera only small gray project box connected via USB3 w/ ferrite beads to
• Enclosure for the rest of the components
• AC Power with remote wifi switch Kasa KP125M
• Camera / Lens
• ASI676MC with provided lens (lettering inked out)
• Computer / Network
• MeLE Quieter 4c with additional NVME drive running Ubuntu LTS
• Try computer built-in Wifi, or if that does not work, then TP-Link TL-WR902AC
• Software / Website
• INDI-Allsky (but will miss planetarium overlay!)
• Website both on the local computer and
• Via Sync API to remote website in the cloud (Object Storage hack?)
• It’s a changing landscape, so might not be my choice tomorrow!

Tools and Supplies

• Screwdrivers, Pliers, Small Saws, Drill Press or Drill, Hammer, Tin Snips, etc.
• Hole Saw, Drill Bits, Sand Paper, Files, etc.
• Ethernet Cabling Crimpers, Plugs, etc.
• Black Felt Paper, Black permanent marker, Black Electrical Tape, etc.
• All weather RTV silicone, silicone caulk, etc.
• Velcro - Two-Sided Tape, Straps, etc.
• Cable Ties, Staples, Zip Ties, etc.
• Circuit Tester with “GFCI test button”
• Hobby / Craft Plywood
• USB Cables, USB Cables, USB Cables
• Ferrite Beads

Random Tips

• The same hardware can support both software flavors
• Mostly - Mini-PC not easy to use with Allsky without major hacking
• Reflection control is a worthy investment
• There will be reflection from the dome - some are better than others
• Mounting camera so it doesn’t move is important
• Focus can be a challenge
• There will be distortion from the dome - some are better than others
• The Sun is brutal
• Put everything you can in the second enclosure and mount in the shade
• In Colorado, dew control not an issue with camera heat
• But consider active venting for thermal control
• Both Camera and Computer can run pretty hot
• Computers can throttle, but camera health may be affected

Areas to Explore

• It’s Open Source, so you can contribute to community!
• Weather System and Safety System integrations
• Camera Housing
• Heating, Cooling, Venting, Weather-proofing, RFI Control
• Aesthetics
• Privacy
• Host remote website in the Cloud
• High quality glass lens and dome
• Reflection reduction
• Hydrophobic Dome or coating like the GoPro
• Raspberry Pi HQ Camera

Areas to Explore

• Security hardening - DMZ to the internet directly from home
• Masking out living areas and house
• Use ZeroTier for remote website networking: https://www.zerotier.com/
• Portable Rig
• ???

Areas to Explore

• Look at the sky around the world: https://www.thomasjacquin.com/allsky-map/

References / Help

• YouTube
• Alaskan Astro: https://youtu.be/CPoUbpum4Hs?si=LNeRNFHE5APIDM-1
• Patriot Astro: https://youtu.be/7TGpGz5SeVI?si=hVhmy5fd2CT6mXpS
• Allsky (Thomas Jacquin)
• https://www.thomasjacquin.com/portfolio/all-sky-camera/
• http://thomasjacquin.com/make-your-own-allsky-camera/
• https://github.com/AllskyTeam/allsky
• https://github.com/AllskyTeam/allsky-website
• INDI-Allsky (Aaron W. Morris)
• https://github.com/aaronwmorris/indi-allsky
• Linda’s Astronomy Adventures
• https://lindasastronomyadventures.space/2022/01/21/all-sky-camera-build-v2/
• Cloudy Nights Observatories Forum
• https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/72-observatories/

All Skies!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16thiKvHU5oWihCNLFO9LtaCbkcZ4eXDDJpg0bzeKw3Y/edit?usp=sharing