MORNING STAR OBSERVATORY
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      • Celestron 5.5" Schmidt Camera
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        • DIY Curve Tracer
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        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
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        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560 Vedolyzer
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme's Model 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1941
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1946
        • Supreme Model 563 Audio Generator
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 666 AF/RF Generator
      • Other Test Equipment >
        • Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Tester
        • Rider 162 Chanalyst
        • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • VU-Data Model 941B Oscilloscope
    • ---------------
    • Fossils
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      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator

A Raspberry Pi Allsky Camera

This is a DIY all sky camera project and can be found online at https://thomasjacquin.com/make-your-own-allsky-camera/. Basically, the project is made with a Raspberry Pi, a ZWO or RPiHQ camera, and a waterproof housing with a clear dome. The software to run the AllSky camera is available on the project's GitHub page.
Picture
I'm using a Raspberry Pi 4b with 8GB of RAM. I think it's the most expensive version of the Pi because it's apparently the most sought after, and the cheaper official sources are all out of stock. The official price at the moment is $75 but I had to pay $139 shipped for this one.

​The documentation and a YouTube video by Patriot Astro say AllSky will work on different versions of the Pi and with less RAM, but there are a few caveats. All the versions are apparently capable of capturing images, and even posting images to the local web server, but if you don't have sufficient RAM and processing power you will run into issues creating time lapses, keograms and star trails, so I went with the Pi 4b with 8GB just to keep AllSky as hassle free as possible.

Picture
The Pi comes as an uncased board, and the case, power supply and cables are all extra. I ordered one of the numerous accessory kits available online that contains an aluminum case, 4 heatsinks for the Pi chips, a case fan, power supply with cable, and a HDMI cable. And the kit only cost $13.95. Keeping the Pi running as cool as possible is an important consideration.

​This case was originally just bare aluminium, but I dressed it up with a raspberry paint job. It just seemed like the thing to do.

Picture
On one end of the Pi are two USB3 and two USB2 ports, plus a gigabit Ethernet port. The Pi 4b has wireless on the PCB and the Pi documentation warns that using a metal case could cause wireless connectivity issues, but I plan to use the Ethernet port.

Picture
On the side of the PCB, from left to right, are the USB-C 5v power input port, 2 micro HDMI ports and a combo stereo audio/composite video jack. The primary HDMI port is closest to the USB C port.

Picture
The documentation recommends at least a 128GB class 10 micro SD card. I went with 256GB because it will allow plenty of storage for images and in the webui it states I have storage for two weeks of images. Again, the small extra cost of the larger SD card is worth it to me to keep everything running smoothly.
The SD card needs to have the Raspian OS installed from a PC, or another Pi, before inserting it into the micro SD slot. The easy way to install the OS is using the free Raspberry Pi Imager software. I installed the 64-bit Lite version, which does not have the graphical UI, but saves space on the card and in memory. The UI is really not needed and even with it a terminal window is still used to install Allsky. All the Linux commands are clearly spelled out in the instructions.

Picture
For the camera, I am starting with a ZWO ASI120MM-S and will see how the images look. I read in the documentation that the ASI120 is not really recommended because of connectivity issues and user complaints that the images are too noisy. But I think those complaints are with the older USB 2.0 version of the camera. So far I've had no issues setting up the newer USB 3.0 high speed version. If for some reason it's not satisfactory I'll try my ASI178MM.

​To get started I'm using the 2.1mm focal length, 150° FOV lens that came with the camera. If the FOV is not sufficient I'll order a 180° lens.

Picture
My weatherproof enclosure is made from 4" thin wall PVC and consists of a 4" cap and a 4" to 2" reducer, plus there is a section of 2" pipe for the pole. I ordered a 4" clear acrylic dome ($15 on Amazon) to protect the camera from the weather. Next I need to cut the hole in the top cap to fit the camera.

Picture
One issue with using 4" diameter PVC is not having enough space inside for a straight USB 3.0 connector to stick out the side of the camera. I had to order a cable with a right angle connector to be able to fit the connected camera inside.


Not done yet...

Page created 4/30/2023
​Last updated 5/20/2023
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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Astrophotography
  • The Observatory
    • The New Observatory
    • - About the ExploraDome
    • - About the Lancaster Dome
    • - Building the Lancaster Dome
  • Equipment
    • Cameras >
      • Celestron 5.5" Schmidt Camera
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
      • QSI 683WS
      • Raspberry Pi Allsky Camera
      • ZWO ASI120MM-S
      • ZWO ASI178MM
      • ZWO ASI183MC
      • ZWO ASI294MC Pro
    • Eyepieces
    • Filters >
      • Orion Nautilus Filter Wheel
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX-110 (EQ-8) >
        • New HDX-110 Setup
        • Orion HDX110 EQ-8
    • Observatory Computers
    • Telescopes >
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Orion ST-80 Refractor
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • Arduino Focuser
    • Celestron 5-1/2" Schmidt Camera Mod
    • C11 XLT Mods
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Ultima 8 Mods
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Boat Anchor Radios >
        • BC-348N Receiver
        • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • R-392 HF Receiver
      • DIY >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Heathkit >
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Knight-Kit >
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • 1938 Zenith 6-S-254
        • Echophone EC-1
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
    • Geiger Counters >
      • AN/PDR-27G Radiac Set
      • Lionel CD V-700 Geiger Counter
      • RCA WF-12A Geiger Counter
    • Test Equipment >
      • DIY Test Equipment >
        • DIY Curve Tracer
        • DIY Signature Tracer
      • Military Test Equipment >
        • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
        • LM-21 Frequency Meter
        • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
        • TS-465 C/U Sweep Generator
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • Tube Testers >
        • Alternating Current Sink
        • Drug Store Tester
        • EMC Model 200 Tube Tester
        • Hickok Model 6000A Tube Tester
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • McMurdo Silver VOMAX 900
        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560 Vedolyzer
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme's Model 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1941
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1946
        • Supreme Model 563 Audio Generator
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
        • Supreme Model 666 AF/RF Generator
      • Other Test Equipment >
        • Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Tester
        • Rider 162 Chanalyst
        • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • VU-Data Model 941B Oscilloscope
    • ---------------
    • Fossils
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator