Professional System

The TychoCam™ is built to meet the rigorous demands of the professional astronomy community. It consists of a CPU, gauges, CNC machined container, camera,  fisheye lens, POE converter, user and admin websites, and Safety Monitor and Observing Conditions API's. Tested in harsh environments. Resident hardware gauges include rain, wind, humidity, temperature, pressure, sky luminescence, and Infrared sky temperature.  Safety Monitor limits are programmable. Stores 12,000 images and 48 hours of videos for user review.  Interactive charts on all conditions and images.  All environmental conditions, charts, and API's are updated every 30 seconds. Users can download images, charts and videos for review on their desktop via the website or the API's.

Control and Monitoring Your Observatory Over the Internet

ASCOM-Alpaca is dual technology based on universal connectivity between astronomy applications, programs and devices. Astronomy programs can control devices  across Windows, Linux, Mac and other observatory systems. ASCOM provides standards-based Interoperability between astronomy programs and end devices. Alpaca connects these ASCOM devices over the Internet.

The TychoCam™ integrated Observing Conditions and  Safety Monitor API's provide user desktop observatory control programs real time data and safety conditions. Other observatory monitoring devices can provide their status via json to the TychoCam™ for additional safety  condition monitoring. 

The TychoCam™ contains over 23,000 lines of code developed over 2 years to provide trouble-free operation and accuracy. Automatic backups, boundary condition monitoring, redundant data sources, internal firewall, administrator monitoring, optional user login and signup, encrypted cookies, and much more ensure smooth and consistent operation.

Simplified Installation

A stainless steel bracket and clamps are included to firmly hold the TychoCam™ and gauges. Power and network connectivity are provided by a single POE cable.