1. 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 IMX225 board (c.$30)
ICX205 as used in Occulus All Sky cam costs about £180

2. Sensitivity Comparison
1/3" Micron Aptina AR0130 sensor
(ZWO ASI120 MC)
1/3" SONY Exmor IMX225 sensor
(ZWO ASI224)
(IMX224 and IMX225 are almost Identical)

3. Sensitivity IMX225 - 1 second exposure – b/w
IMX second exposure - colour
Canon EOS 450D
10 second exposure
@ ISO 800

4. Mk I camera
IMX MP camera with 170 degree fisheye lens- AHD output limited to 720 x 576 pixels by capture card- £20 from eBay
£9.99 Dummy camera housing

5. Verdict is:- Not Worth it
Mk 1A camera
4-channel AHD capture card
$24
Verdict is:-
Not Worth it
IMX MP camera with 170 degree fisheye lens
£20 from eBay
£9.99 Dummy camera

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

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

8. Software iSpy 64- FREE !!! Sharpcap – FREE !!!
Handy AVI (like iSpy but license costs $39.95)
iSpy/ HandyAVI functions:-
Time lapse video
Motion detect snapshot
‘Meteor’ event detection video
Multiple cameras
Web access
/SMS notification of events

9. 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

10. ‘Build a camera’ Workshop
Kit of parts
Housing
Camera
Connectors and cables
Tools
Software – preferably to be pre-loaded
iSpy64 (
Sharpcap (

11. Thank You