Cloud Sensor Graph II

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The Cloud Sensor Graph II is a program that interfaces with the software that controls the Boltwood Cloud Sensor, known as Clarity. It graphs the measurements made by the Cloud Sensor over time, allowing the user to see trends in the readings that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For example, by observing the trend in the relative sky temperature measurement over a period of minutes or hours, one can often spot when clouds are about to form. It has been observed that a slow rise in relative sky temperature when the sky appears clear is often an indicator that clouds are just about to form.

A second use of the graph is as an aid in setting the Clear/Cloudy and Cloudy/Very Cloudy thresholds in Clarity. Appropriate values seem to be quite dependent on the observing site. By inspecting graphs of the sensor data over time, one can quickly learn workable values for a particular site.

Finally, graphs of the Cloud Sensor's measurements provide a great visual representation of your observatory's environment. Up to 24 hours of history is kept so you can tell what's going on.

Key Features

• Compatible with both the Cloud Sensor I and Cloud Sensor II.
• Pick and choose which measurements you want to graph.
• Chart image can be saved to disk and optionally uploaded to a web server for online viewing.
• A custom program can be run when environmental conditions become unsafe for your equipment.

Sites that use the Cloud Sensor Graph

• New Mexico Skies
• Farm Cove Observatory
• Brad Moore's Southern Astro Observatory
• JAT Observatory