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Unihedron Sky Quality Meter - LU (SQM-LU)

Original price $294.00 - Original price $356.00
Original price $294.00 - Original price $356.00
Original price
$294.00 - $356.00
$294.00 - $356.00
Current price $294.00
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Description

Unihedron Sky Quality Meter - LU

A USB SQM model for night-time sky brightness monitoring!

An affordable meter for continual, connected measuring of sky brightness for astronomers!

The "Sky Quality Meter - LU" measures the brightness of the night sky in magnitudes per square arcsecond.

Designed by Dr. Doug Welch and Anthony Tekatch

Uses:

  • Find out how good the night or site REALLY is.
  • Compare the sky brightness at different sites quantitatively.
  • Document the evolution of light pollution in your area.
  • Set planetarium dome illumination to mimic the skies people are likely to experience elsewhere in the city.
  • Monitor sky brightness through the night, night-to-night, and year-to-year.
  • Determine which nights show the greatest promise for finding the 'faintest fuzzies'!
  • Calibrate the effect of sky brightness on qualitative measures such as the Bortle Scale.
  • Investigate how sky brightness correlates with the solar cycle and month-to-month sunspot activity.
  • Help provide local ground truth for future sky brightness prediction with the Clear Sky Clock.
  • CCD users can make a correlation between the SQM reading and when the background reaches some ADC level.

Features:

  • Sky brightness reported in visual magnitudes per square arcsecond.
  • Infrared blocking filter restricts measurement to visual bandpass.
  • Sensor temperature, model number, and serial number are provided.
  • Precision readings at even the darkest sites.
  • Field-upgradeable firmware.
  • Open protocol document.

Weatherproof Housing

This housing design is made to protect the SQM-LE/LU from normal outdoor conditions including weather and insects.

Features:

  • White surfaces reflect the hot summer sunshine.
  • Opening on bottom to allow moisture to escape.
  • Glass top to prevent scratching when removing ice.
  • Raised glass surface to prevent dirt and leaves from collecting.
  • Small glass opening to minimize internal heating due to the Sun.
  • Cable opening at bottom sealed with open-cell (breathable) foam prevents insects from entering.
  • Marine silicone seal rated for outdoor use.
  • Silicone seal around glass extends beyond glass-plastic interface to prevent ice from building in crevices.
  • Hose clamps for easy mounting to pole.
  • Staples for easy mounting to wood surface.

 

Details:

What you get:

Technical Specifications

In the Box

Meter and weatherproof housing

Warranty & Manual

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