SatNOGS Optical

Introduction

SatNOGS Optical is a project by the Libre Space Foundation to add optical observations to the distributed network. It is under early development.

Software

See:

• stvid
  https://github.com/cbassa/stvid

• satpredict
  https://github.com/cbassa/satpredict

• sattools
  https://github.com/cbassa/sattools

Hardware

• Sony IMX174 based cameras have worked well. Cheaper but less performance alternatives are the Raspberry Pi HQ camera or the Raspberry Pi Global Shutter camera.

• A 50mm lens, the faster the better, in the F1.2 - F1.8 range. Suggestions:
  https://www.berrybase.de/en/50mm-teleobjektiv-c-mount
  https://www.rany.nl/fujian_50_1.4_sony_e

• A Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 or faster embedded computer.

• A mount, doesn't need to be tracking.

Results

Here are some results from the ASI174 camera:

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

Results from the Raspberry Pi High Quality camera:

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

Results from the Raspberry Pi Global Shutter camera:

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

Further Info

• Optical Communications and Photonics MakerSpace
  https://libre.space/projects/optical-communications-and-photonics-makerspace/

• SIDLOC
  https://libre.space/projects/sidloc/

Development

Discussion in #satnogs-optical:matrix.org.