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Fancy one of these? The 'Sky Quality Meter'
- Keith g
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- Super Giant
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19 years 6 months ago #12498
by Keith g
Fancy one of these? The 'Sky Quality Meter' was created by Keith g
Hi All, just got this from another forum, good idea & practical too
We wish to announce the availability of a reasonably-priced,
handheld meter for measuring the brightness of the zenith
sky at night. This meter displays the surface brightness
of the sky in visual magnitudes per square arcsec and can
be used at even the darkest sites to obtain precise
measurements. It is ideal for light pollution studies and
site selection.
Use of the "Sky Quality Meter" is simple - point it at the
zenith, push the single button once, and the sky surface
brightness appears on the LED display.
The "Sky Quality Meter" contains a very sensitive, solid-state
light sensor which is interfaced with a micro-controller
and temperature sensor to correct for temperature-induced
changes to the micro-controller oscillator and the sensor
dark current. An infrared blocking filter restricts the
sensitivity of the device to the visual bandpass. The meter
is designed for long battery life and automatically shuts
itself off after making a measurement.
For additional features and ordering information please
visit the webpage:
www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/
A mailing list has been formed for SQM users.
Individual units sell for US$79.99 plus shipping.
(A 9V battery *is* included!)
Keith..
We wish to announce the availability of a reasonably-priced,
handheld meter for measuring the brightness of the zenith
sky at night. This meter displays the surface brightness
of the sky in visual magnitudes per square arcsec and can
be used at even the darkest sites to obtain precise
measurements. It is ideal for light pollution studies and
site selection.
Use of the "Sky Quality Meter" is simple - point it at the
zenith, push the single button once, and the sky surface
brightness appears on the LED display.
The "Sky Quality Meter" contains a very sensitive, solid-state
light sensor which is interfaced with a micro-controller
and temperature sensor to correct for temperature-induced
changes to the micro-controller oscillator and the sensor
dark current. An infrared blocking filter restricts the
sensitivity of the device to the visual bandpass. The meter
is designed for long battery life and automatically shuts
itself off after making a measurement.
For additional features and ordering information please
visit the webpage:
www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/
A mailing list has been formed for SQM users.
Individual units sell for US$79.99 plus shipping.
(A 9V battery *is* included!)
Keith..
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- albertw
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- IFAS Secretary
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19 years 6 months ago #12500
by albertw
Bah...
For only $20 I can sell you a box with the word "Cloudy" printed on it.
A 9V battery, not included.
Anyway, from their docs :
That sounds backwards. I would want a small change in brightness to be more obvious. light cirrus cloud would presumably not render much of a differerence to the number.
[code:1]
Typical Readings
mags Description
18 Bright moonlight or urban clear sky.
20-22 Moonless, clear country night sky.
21-23 Moonless, overcast country night sky.[/code:1]
So 21-22 means either clear or overcast?
Cheers,
~Al
Albert White MSc FRAS
Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
www.darksky.ie/
Replied by albertw on topic Re: Fancy one of these? The 'Sky Quality Meter'
Individual units sell for US$79.99 plus shipping.
(A 9V battery *is* included!)
Bah...
For only $20 I can sell you a box with the word "Cloudy" printed on it.
A 9V battery, not included.
Anyway, from their docs :
Therefore large
changes in sky brightness correspond to
relatively small numerical changes.
That sounds backwards. I would want a small change in brightness to be more obvious. light cirrus cloud would presumably not render much of a differerence to the number.
[code:1]
Typical Readings
mags Description
18 Bright moonlight or urban clear sky.
20-22 Moonless, clear country night sky.
21-23 Moonless, overcast country night sky.[/code:1]
So 21-22 means either clear or overcast?
Cheers,
~Al
Albert White MSc FRAS
Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
www.darksky.ie/
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- Keith g
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- Super Giant
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19 years 6 months ago #12537
by Keith g
Replied by Keith g on topic Re:
Mmmm, funny that : I'm more confused now :lol:
Don't think i'lll but one, we've enough bloody cloudy nights anyway
Keith..
Don't think i'lll but one, we've enough bloody cloudy nights anyway
Keith..
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- ftodonoghue
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- Red Giant
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19 years 6 months ago #12558
by ftodonoghue
Cheers
Trevor
Replied by ftodonoghue on topic Re: Fancy one of these? The 'Sky Quality Meter'
You could always look up........I have two light gathering devices in my cranium and a processing unit behind them....This allows me to tell if its cloudy or clear, or even if there is a moon present....
Cheers
Trevor
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- Keith g
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- Super Giant
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19 years 6 months ago #12571
by Keith g
Replied by Keith g on topic Re:
Wow, me too :shock:
Keith..
Keith..
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- michaeloconnell
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19 years 6 months ago #12572
by michaeloconnell
I'll give you €79.99 for one of those light gathering devices of yours. I'll let you keep the other!
Thanks!
Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Fancy one of these? The 'Sky Quality Meter'
You could always look up........I have two light gathering devices in my cranium and a processing unit behind them....This allows me to tell if its cloudy or clear, or even if there is a moon present....
I'll give you €79.99 for one of those light gathering devices of yours. I'll let you keep the other!
Thanks!
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