How to Join the STARVISOR | Night Sky Patrol Project?
Hey there, fellow stargazers!
Want to contribute to a cool project that shows the night sky almost in real time and helps us learn more about a bunch of phenomena? Awesome! Here’s how you can join the STARVISOR | Night Sky Patrol:
You’ll need a network camera capable of sending interval snapshots via FTP. Obviously, you need to have a stable internet connection. We’ve tested a few options:
HIKVISION ColorVu Series:
Recommended: DS-2CD2087G2-LU 2.8 or 4 mm lens (click to see)
More budget-friendly: DS-2CD2047G2 (click to see)
You can also experiment with other cameras in this series, and other HIKVISION IP cameras with night color mode support.
DAHUA IPC Series: We know these cameras support interval snapshots via FTP.
You can find them there (click to see) (don’t choose varifocal ones!)
DIY Option: You can build your own camera! You’ll need a camera module with a Sony IMX307 sensor, an outdoor housing, and a fast (starlight) lens. Modules with CamHi cloud firmware (this is important!) support interval snapshots. Click to see:
Single-board computers: You can also use Raspberry Pi with modules / USB cameras or similar devices to send images.
Some cameras work only through wired connections, others also support Wi-Fi.
Not sure with your choice? Contact us for help by the links below.
Setting up your camera:
Find a good spot for your camera! Ideally, you’ll want an open horizon with minimal light pollution. For observing the aurora and noctilucent clouds in the northern hemisphere, point your camera north; in the southern hemisphere, point it south. Slightly west or east directions are also suitable for mid and high latitudes.
Sharing your camera’s view with the world:
First off, it’s completely free! We’re a non-profit project working for the benefit of sky watchers worldwide.
To connect your camera to our website, you’ll need to get some settings from the project administrator. Just let us know you’re interested in joining using one of these methods:
Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions you might have. Good luck and clear skies!