Recent Posts

51

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Microsoft Edge cannot find UDM software. Error "Can't reach this page".

« Last post by admin on April 19, 2017, 06:40:34 pm »

Problem:	Microsoft Edge cannot find UDM software on the CD. Error "Can't reach this page".
Cause:	Microsoft Edge has protections in place to hide file lists on remote drives.
Solution:	Use the File Manager to navigate the CD to the Windows directory then install from there. Or, get the latest Windows version of UDM from the Unihedron website: unihedron.com/projects/darksky/cd/Windows/

52

SQM-LU-DL (Datalogging light meter) / Real Time Clock enhancement

« Last post by admin on April 15, 2017, 11:10:49 am »

One of the drawbacks of using a real time clock (RTC) in electronics is that temperature variations will make it gain or lose time over long periods of time. The real time clock (timekeeper) inside out our original data-logger used a standard watch chip that had an accuracy of +/- 20 ppm. Generally this is not such a big problem, but for multiple data-loggers in different temperature conditions, the clocks will drift apart and other techniques are required to synchronize the readings.

We introduced an "Extremely accurate" RTC into the data-logger product line last year (around 2016-03-24) with an accuracy of +/- 3.5ppm from -40°C to +85°C.

The new RTC is identified on the back of the meter with the model number suffix "-R1" as:
  SQM-U-DL-R1
This model number can also be found using our UDM software.

53

General Discussion / Re: Reports

« Last post by admin on April 04, 2017, 11:40:02 pm »

Here is an interesting report about a telescope mounted SQM-LE and the trials and tribulations of a long term study of sky brightness:
Quantifying and Monitoring Darkness over the RAO (Rothney Astrophysical Observatory)
by Phil Langill and Benjamin George

54

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Re: Observing Conditions interface in ASCOM 6.2

« Last post by admin on March 12, 2017, 04:44:23 pm »

I just purchased an SQM-LU and use SGP and would like to add my vote to this request's position in the list of upgrades...

Acknowledged

55

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Re: Observing Conditions interface in ASCOM 6.2

« Last post by Walkeran on March 12, 2017, 04:31:41 pm »

I just purchased an SQM-LU and use SGP and would like to add my vote to this request's position in the list of upgrades...

56

General Discussion / Re: Applying for Dark-Sky Park status

« Last post by kyba on March 07, 2017, 02:11:15 pm »

If you're going to use the SQM to document your dark sky Park or Reserve, please please PLEASE report your observations to Globe at Night, or else submit your observations using the Loss of the Night app.

Globe at Night: https://www.globeatnight.org/webapp/
Loss of the Night app: http://lossofthenight.blogspot.de/2015/01/brief-introduction-to-loss-of-night-app.html

That automatically archives the data for your park, it makes it accessible for scientists (like me), and your data will be visible to everyone at www.myskyatnight.com

It is very valuable for helping to track how the night sky is changing, and guarantees that your data will never be lost. If you have data from previous years that you would like to share with Globe at Night, you can contact them by email, and if your data is in an excel sheet or csv file, they will be able to add it to the international database.

57

General Discussion / Applying for Dark-Sky Park status

« Last post by admin on March 07, 2017, 01:36:16 pm »

The SQM has been used extensively for gathering data to help apply for Dark-Sky Park Status with the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

Many people have applied to the IDA for a Dark-Sky park status including Georgia MacMillan of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology of Ireland. Her extensive research and work on this topic can be found in these two documents which may be helpful to others pursuing the same goal:

• Dissertation PDF: Preserving our Night-time Skies, An exploratory study on the impact of light pollution and the potential for a new dark-sky site in County Mayo, Ireland. by Georgia MacMillan.
• Application PDF: An Application to the International Dark-Sky Association for Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin that are included in the application for Mayo Dark Sky Park status.

58

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Re: Graph does not expand

« Last post by admin on February 18, 2017, 01:56:36 pm »

SQM-Reader is a third-party product made by Knightware. Please check their tech support tab at this link:

http://www.knightware.biz/sqm/

59

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Re: SQM-LE works with SQM Reader(s) but not UDM

« Last post by admin on February 18, 2017, 01:53:39 pm »

Many routers have the ability to fix the IP address of devices by recognizing the MAC number. This way you can leave the SQM-LE Ethernet settings at DHCP and your router will assign the same IP address each time it sees the SQM-LE at power up.

60

Connected meters (SQM-LE/LU/LR/DL) / Graph does not expand

« Last post by martin_zkp1 on February 18, 2017, 01:53:00 pm »

Even when the values vary greatly in the y axis.

Martin