A Python class for intefacing with the SBIG AllSky 340/340C camera.
Created using the SBIG Serial Protocol Specification. A PDF copy of this documentation, as well as the camera manual, are included in case they disappear off of the Internet.
Works on Linux (including Raspberry Pi) and Mac OSX, untested on Windows but no reason it shouldn't work.
The Jenkinsfile in this project builds a Docker image that can be used to run the application. This is the intended way to run the application for future deployments with the Moxa NPort 5100a serial to ethernet adapter. Requirements
Everything is avalable using pip/easy_install.
LCOGT runs installations consisting of two SBIG AllSky cameras within a single enclosure. These are placed at each LCOGT telescope site, and the data is used for weather information. An SBIG AllSky 340C is used during the day, and an SBIG AllSky 340 is used during the night. This setup gives the best images available at all times of day.
Since this hardware lacks a light meter, the exposure time is chosen based on the position of the Sun. An experimentally tuned curve is used to gradually adjust exposure time near sunset and sunrise.
To maximize the astronomical usefulness of the data, dark current subtraction can be enabled. This will only activate when the full exposure length is reached. It will not run during the sunset and sunrise exposure length ramp.