(meteorobs) Sentinel Alert -Addendum

[stange34 at sbcglobal.net]

Hello Pat.

Arguably the best software available at minimum cost is to use 
HandyAvi.($40). This requires using a video capture card..... or webcam. It 
is basically more sensitive to any sky motion than even the Sentinel 
Systems.

If a video capture card is used in your computer, it should be for Composite 
video input. (e.g., VCR input using a round RCA connector and not S-video).

Your next selection is whether to use a Surveilance camera, or webcam. 
Surveilance cameras with fairly wide angle lenses are available on e-bay. It 
might not cover (all) of the sky but it will definetly work and would be 
cheap.

Chris at Cloudbait Observatory uses VERY sensitive PC-164C cameras sold out 
of Texas I think. Check on his website. Those cameras can be obtained with a 
360 degree lens. You have seen his research using them. Those facts speak 
for themselves. Cost of such a camera and lens is apprx. $150. That makes 
your total investment $200.

Webcams are not really suitable... they are usually CMOS, or CCD's with a 
very small chip which will not allow all-sky viewing. They can work however, 
just with a smaller field of view compared to all-sky systems.

Bottom line, start with HandyAvi. Then decide on your camera visual system.

I use HandyAvi EVERY NIGHT to be sure I do not miss something. The one night 
a little while back when Wayne captured a Bolide......I failed my 
responcibility. I had not turned on HandyAvi that night(lazy), to run 
alongside the Sentinel system. Now I make sure it is always running when 
Sentinel is running. HandyAvi ALWAYS records faithfully any sky motion and I 
depend on it for a backup 99% of the time. It has NEVER failed me. Often 
catching meteors that Sentinel does not record in my city skies.

Getting ready to take a nap...hope I was clear on this. If not, will gladly 
help any way I can. I am sure Chris feels the same way.

YCSentinel

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Branch" <pat_branch at yahoo.com>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: 2007/11/13 06:12
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Sentinel Alert -Addendum


> Stange,
> If someone wanted to set up their own Sentinel cameras what would you
> advise as the best way to go about it?
> Pat
>
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