Automatic Dark (Motorisation)

[davidteissier]

Good evening everyone,
I spotted this project and selected it to mount my AllSky.

I am currently training at the Paris Observatory and my mission (exercises) is to find meteors.

So I will mount my station.

However, I am lucky to be able to fix it high up (very high).

And it will be impossible for me to put a cover on the lens to make a dark... Do you have a solution? Has anyone ever considered motorizing a cover?

Thank you for your answers. I must get to it as soon as possible.

Have a great evening everyone

[EricClaeys]

Please take a look at the Dark frames documentation page. It explains the best way to take dark frames.
You might be able to cover the camera while it's on a pole, but that won't help with getting different temperature darks.
I am not aware of anyone motorizing a cover - it would be very difficult for a fisheye lens. Darks only need to be taken every year or so, and you'll often want to take the camera down that often and clean it anyhow.

[davidteissier]

Ok. One by year isn't a problem.
I will read the doc about Dark.
Thanks a lot !

Ps: I've an idea for motorised covering but I will dig this solution later so 😉