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Observatory & Weather

An automated observatory needs to know when to open and, more importantly, when to close. Cloud and rain sensors measure sky temperature, ambient conditions and moisture, then tell your software to park the mount and close the roof before the weather turns. Dome controllers keep the slit aligned with the telescope through the night.

This collection includes the Diffraction Limited Boltwood Cloud Sensor II and spare sensor heads, MaxDome II dome control and related observatory parts.

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$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD

Diffraction Limited Boltwood Cloud Sensor II Replacement Cable

Official replacement cable for the Boltwood Cloud Sensor II Available in 50 ft (15m), 100 ft (30m), and 150 ft (45m) lengths Custom-designed and r...

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$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD - $495.00 USD
$270.00 USD
$395.00 USD - $395.00 USD
$395.00 USD
$395.00 USD - $395.00 USD
$395.00 USD

Diffraction Limited Boltwood Portable Cloud Sensor

Detects cloud cover and daylight Measures sky temperature in the 8 to 14 micron IR band Alerts for "Clear & Dark" or "Cloudy or Light" conditi...

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$395.00 USD - $395.00 USD
$395.00 USD
$395.00 USD - $395.00 USD
$395.00 USD
$319.00 USD - $319.00 USD
$319.00 USD
$319.00 USD - $319.00 USD
$319.00 USD

Diffraction Limited Cloud Sensor Adapter Box

Indoor adapter box for the Boltwood Cloud Sensor II Provides USB to PC connectivity Features a 3.5 mm mono jack for roof-closure contact closure R...

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$319.00 USD - $319.00 USD
$319.00 USD
$319.00 USD - $319.00 USD
$319.00 USD
$315.00 USD - $315.00 USD
$315.00 USD
$315.00 USD - $315.00 USD
$315.00 USD

Diffraction Limited Extra-Spare Thermopile / Rain Sensor Disc

Replacement thermopile / rain sensor disc for the Boltwood Cloud Sensor II Compatible with units bearing serial number 4000 and higher Wetness sen...

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$315.00 USD - $315.00 USD
$315.00 USD
$315.00 USD - $315.00 USD
$315.00 USD
$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD

Diffraction Limited MaxDome II

Controls observatory domes and roll-off roofs Drives 12 VDC motors directly with up to 5 A of current Wireless inductive link eliminates failure-p...

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$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD - $1,415.00 USD
$915.00 USD
Sold out
$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD

Santa Barbara Scientific SM-4 Seeing Monitor

High-sensitivity QHY CMOS sensor with ultra-low noise Precision Kowa 100 mm f/2.8 lens for accurate seeing measurem...

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$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD - $2,449.00 USD
$1,849.00 USD
Sold out

Building Weather Safety

  • Cloud sensing: An infrared sensor compares sky temperature to ambient temperature. Clear skies read much colder than cloudy ones.
  • Rain and wetness: A heated rain sensor detects the first drops so the roof can close in time.
  • Software integration: Most sensors report to ASCOM-compatible software so that NINA, ACP, Voyager or similar can react automatically.
  • Redundancy: For remote sites, a second independent safety check is worth the cost.

Observatory Automation: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a cloud sensor work in Canadian winters?

Yes, it is widely used in cold climates. Keep the sensor window clear of snow and frost, which the heated models help with.

Do I need a cloud sensor for a backyard roll-off?

If you ever leave the observatory imaging while you sleep, yes. It is the device that protects everything else.

Automating an observatory?

Tell us your roof or dome type and your control software. We will help plan the safety setup.