AMSKY01 – All-in-one Sky Quality and Cloud Sensor

The AMSKY01 is a compact, weatherproof sky sensor designed for astronomical and environmental applications. It combines multiple sensors in one unit:

• Sky brightness sensor (SQM) – measures sky brightness in mag/arcsec².
• Infrared cloud sensor – detects cloud presence by measuring sky temperature.
• Temperature and humidity sensor – monitors ambient air conditions.
• USB-C and RS-485 interfaces – for easy connection to PCs or automation systems.

Live Cloud Detection Example

The following video demonstrates real-time data from the AMSKY01 sensor as clouds pass through its field of view. The 16×12 pixel thermopile array provides detailed sky temperature mapping with 110° field of view, allowing precise tracking of cloud coverage and movement patterns.

Key Features

• Real-time sky quality measurements (SQM) to assess light pollution.
• Fast and reliable cloud detection using infrared sky temperature.
• Accurate ambient temperature and humidity monitoring.
• USB-C (CDC Serial) interface for plug-and-play operation with computers.
• RS-485 interface for integration with observatory or building automation.
• Open protocol and API documentation for custom applications.
• Designed for continuous outdoor use in observatory conditions.

How the Pixel Sensor Works: Detailed cloud Mapping

AMSKY01’s infrared cloud sensor is based on a 16×12 (optionally 32x24) pixel thermopile array, which acts like a low-resolution thermal camera for the sky. Each pixel measures the temperature in a specific direction, producing a real-time “thermal image” of the sky dome.

Here is a comparison of an optical image of the night sky with clouds from the AMASC01 allsky camera and the AMSKY01 thermopile pixel sensor.

What are the benefits of a pixel sensor?

• Spatial cloud detection: See not only if clouds are present, but exactly where and how many.
• Accurate sky background: By averaging only the coldest pixels, the device can minimize the influence of warm objects (trees, chimneys, buildings) at the edge of the field of view.
• Robust automation: Algorithms can ignore local obstructions and focus on clear-sky regions, improving reliability for observatory control.
• Real-time visualization: Instantly visualize cloud structure and movement on the included GUI or in your own analysis scripts.

The pixel array transforms AMSKY01 from a simple cloud sensor into a powerful tool for detailed, real-time monitoring and automation. This makes it ideal for demanding applications like robotic observatories or advanced weather research.

Applications

• Light pollution monitoring.
• Automatic observatory control (e.g., dome closure during clouds).
• Weather condition logging for astronomical sites.
• Networked sky sensor systems and citizen science projects.
• Environmental data collection and automation.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Sky brightness (SQM)	Measured in mag/arcsec²
Cloud detection	Infrared sky temperature sensor
Temperature	High-accuracy ambient air temperature
Humidity	Relative humidity sensor
Interfaces	USB-C (CDC serial), RS-485
Power supply	USB bus power or external 8-12V power
Operating temperature	−20 °C to +60 °C (estimated)
Ingress protection	IP-rated outdoor enclosure (TBD)

Interfaces

USB-C (CDC Serial)

• Virtual serial port communication.
• Outputs real-time sensor data in ASCII or structured format.

RS-485

• Industrial interface for robust long-distance communication.
• Suitable for integration into SCADA or observatory control systems.

Communication Protocol

• Open protocol with documented commands and responses.
• Available API and example code for integration.