AstroMeters AMSKY02
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The AMSKY02 is a professional, weatherproof sky sensor designed for autonomous and remotely operated observatories. It is the successor to the AMSKY01 and features a dual-sensor architecture combining two independent SQM channels with a high-resolution pixel-array infrared cloud detector.
Compatibility: AMSKY02 uses the same
indi_amsky01driver and communication protocol as AMSKY01. Both models are fully interchangeable at the software level.
Features
Section titled “Features”- Dual sky brightness (SQM) – two independent TSL2591 sensors with 10° narrow-field and 60° wide-field of view, both outputting lux and mag/arcsec².
- Dual IR cloud sensor (32×24 px) – two MLX9064x thermopile arrays providing a combined 150°×110° field of view; 64×48 pixel high-resolution variant available.
- Water-pooling resistant design – sensor head geometry prevents water accumulation on optical surfaces.
- Temperature & humidity – SHT41 precision sensor for ambient conditions and dew point.
- USB-C and RS-485 interfaces – USB-C for plug-and-play, RS-485 for industrial-grade long-distance communication.
- IP53W weatherproof enclosure – rated for continuous 24/7 outdoor operation.
Cloud Detection
Section titled “Cloud Detection”The dual thermopile array acts as a low-resolution thermal camera for the sky. Unlike single-point sensors, the pixel sensor allows spatial analysis of cloud coverage:
Comparison of an optical all-sky image with the AMSKY thermopile sensor output. Clouds are clearly visible as warmer regions in the IR thermal map.
Benefits of a pixel sensor:
- Spatial cloud detection – see not only if clouds are present, but exactly where and how many.
- Accurate sky background – averaging only the coldest pixels minimises the influence of warm obstacles at the edge of the field of view.
- Robust automation – algorithms can ignore local obstructions (trees, buildings) and focus on clear-sky regions.
- Real-time visualisation – instantly visualise cloud structure and movement.
INDI Driver
Section titled “INDI Driver”The driver indi_amsky01 supports both AMSKY01 and AMSKY02.
Starting the driver
Section titled “Starting the driver”indiserver indi_amsky01Connection
Section titled “Connection”In KStars/Ekos, select the AstroMeters AMSKY01 driver (works for both generations). Connect via:
- Serial – direct USB-C connection (
/dev/ttyACM0or stable by-id symlink). - TCP – if the device is shared over the network via
ser2net.
Stable device naming (udev)
Section titled “Stable device naming (udev)”SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1209", ATTRS{idProduct}=="ae02", SYMLINK+="ttyAMSKY"Apply with:
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger
Python Viewer
Section titled “Python Viewer”A GUI visualiser (amsky01_viewer.py) is available for real-time display of the dual IR thermal map, both SQM channels and environmental data.
python3 amsky01_viewer.py --port /dev/ttyACM0 --baud 115200
Technical Specifications
Section titled “Technical Specifications”| Parameter | AMSKY01 | AMSKY02 |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud detection | MLX90641 16×12 px, 75°×110° FoV | Dual MLX9064x 32×24 px, 150°×110° FoV (64×48 variant available) |
| Sky brightness (SQM) | Single sensor, 10° or 60° FoV | Dual sensor: 10° and 60° FoV |
| Temperature range | −15 °C to +50 °C | −30 °C to +70 °C |
| Humidity | SHT4x | SHT41 |
| Interfaces | USB-C (CDC serial), RS-485 | USB-C (CDC serial), RS-485 |
| Power supply | USB bus power or 8–13 V DC | USB bus power or 8–13 V DC |
| Ingress protection | IP53W | IP53W |
Typical Applications
Section titled “Typical Applications”- Autonomous observatory control – dome closure based on real-time cloud detection.
- Sky quality monitoring networks – standardised mag/arcsec² measurements.
- Remote telescope operations – reliable weather monitoring for unattended sessions.
- RS-485 / SCADA integration – building automation and facility management.
- Research – detailed sky temperature mapping for atmospheric studies.