DIY Raspberry Pi all sky camera captures the majesty of the Northern Lights

Frank Prins, a maker and developer residing on the island of Svalbard within the Arctic Circle, has pushed the boundaries of Raspberry Pi applications with his custom-built all-sky camera. Unlike typical classroom or enthusiast setups, Prins’ innovative project brings Raspberry Pi technology to a unique and remote location, providing a solution for capturing celestial phenomena in real-time.

All-sky cameras are commonly used in observatories to monitor and record celestial events. Prins identified a need for such a device in his region, especially during occurrences of the northern lights when the nearby observatory’s camera is occasionally offline. To address this, he embarked on building his own all-sky camera, ensuring it would operate reliably and capture the breathtaking auroras whenever they appear.The project features a Raspberry Pi 4, housed in a waterproof enclosure with an acrylic dome covering the camera lens to withstand the extreme Arctic temperatures ranging from 41°F (5°C) to -22°F (-30°C). Prins implemented a Power over Ethernet (PoE) shield to simplify cable management, providing both power and network connectivity through a single cable.

Prins plans to delve deeper into programming the Raspberry Pi to automatically identify northern lights by analyzing captured images. This innovative approach promises to enhance the camera’s functionality and efficiency in detecting celestial phenomena. For those interested in learning more, Prins has shared detailed construction instructions and 3D printable components, making the project accessible to fellow enthusiasts. Further updates and insights can be found on Prins’ website, where he continues to share his passion for technology and innovation with the community.

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