Stunning Star Time Lapse Videos with a Raspberry Pi Camera and AllSky

[@alienxtalk]

I also do watch these videos in the morning, with my coffee... Happy to hear I'm not the only one!

[@TapticDigital]

That's incredible! Time lapses look great, and your video itself is really well done!

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thanks!

[@MarkDahmke]

Very nice! I built an allsky cam several years ago using a Pi but with a different camera module. I used the same plastic hemisphere from Amazon. Unfortunately the dome lasted less than a year before it turned yellow from UV and eventually developed a crack. The heat output from the Pi and the camera were sufficient to prevent fogging and condensation inside the dome. I used a PoE adapter to power the Pi over a wired network connection and mounted it on the roof next to my weather station.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thanks! Did you find a good replacement dome?

[@MarkDahmke]

@@johnbuildsthings Not yet.. I had other projects in the queue and haven't had time to get back to it. When I do, I'll also switch to an Arducam.

[@lafekafe1]

Very nice.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thank you!

[@malcolqwe2]

I watched until I heard the word NAS and knew it would be over my head

[@davidcappello]

Informative video - I need to build one.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Glad I could inspire you!

[@jdib]

This is cool. You should do something with the resulting timelapses. Make them viewable online in some cool way. Android widgit showing last night’s Timelapse maybe? Put it on a nest display? Not sure, but a part 2 could be cool. 👀

[@johnbuildsthings]

Good idea! Maybe I’ll put up a live stream on my site

[@JevoUK]

good project, for my time lapse videos I prefer a shorter interval between shots seeing clouds curl and fold into themselves is fascinating. Must admit I've never done night time time lapse.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Yes I find both the day and not time lapses fun to watch. Thanks for watching!

[@AntonioPena1]

John thanks for sharing this project, you did a great job, are you planning to share the 3D printed file? Thanks

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thank you! I have them posted on Printables: www.printables.com/model/651419-allsky-camera-housing

[@SpaceTonight]

Nice Video. I have a question I would like to place my Allsky camera in a place with a dark sky, where there will be connecting to the internet, but what would I have to do to be able to have access to the Allsky set from home? It is known elsewhere to be connected to another WiFi network.

[@johnbuildsthings]

You would either need some sort of wifi connection nearby or you could look at some sort of GSM modem solution www.adafruit.com/search?q=gsm. Thanks for watching!

[@adandylife329]

I am going to try this. How do you think the plastic dome is holding up?

[@johnbuildsthings]

Really well! We've had some heavy rains since I installed it and range of temperatures going from the teens up to direct sunlight hitting it on a 95 degree day. Thanks for watching!

[@wjlambert]

I'm grateful that this project exists. I have owned BloomSky cameras in the past, but the project has all but disappeared. I am curious as to why you did not mount this atop the peak of your roof so as to avoid the overhang and the streetlight glow? Or is it just inconvenient / difficult to reach?

[@johnbuildsthings]

My ladder doesn't go that high and I'd get in trouble with my wife! Thanks for watching!

[@MikeMcRoberts]

How are you getting on with your camera 4 months on?

[@johnbuildsthings]

Loving it! The case is holding up well and I still love the vides. Thanks for watching!

[@fierohoho]

How big is a file for 24 hours?

[@johnbuildsthings]

Only about 30-35mb. Thanks for watching!

[@HaightNetwork]

Please share the STL files. Thank you. Heck, I'll be willing to buy them off cura.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Absolutely! I have them posted on Printables: www.printables.com/model/651419-allsky-camera-housing . Thanks for watching!

[@HaightNetwork]

@@johnbuildsthings Thanks for the follow up. Just an fyi, the write up on your website has a link for the files on the sidebar but clicking on it redirects back to the write up page.

[@MarioMaresch]

very cool project. Do you think a zero w would also work? The pi4 seems to be a bit overpowered for that project.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thank you! The Zero might be a bit underpowered actually. The web portal and software behind it handles a lot in terms of image capture, enhancement, and management. I think the best bet instead of a 4 is an old 3 model. Also there'd probably be problems with the Zero and cameras. The ribbon connector is different and I recall having USB power issues with Zeros in the past.

[@MarioMaresch]

@@johnbuildsthings I have build a birdhouse with an infrared camera and a livestream and motion detection to send a notification over Telegram (I used the motion software for that) and it was running pretty well on a zero w, including the web interface. Maybe I'll give it a try next year

[@johnbuildsthings]

@@MarioMaresch Absolutely! I'd love to hear how it works out. I used the Zero with a rocketry project a few years ago. It's such a useful little machine.

[@YouMustBeConfused]

Please dial down the obnoxious background music. It drowns out your voice and makes the video a less than positive experience.

[@johnbuildsthings]

Thanks for feedback!