Meteor observing with all-sky cameras

Meteors have traditionally been observed by amateurs astronomers visually with their eyes.  Recent improvements in video camera technology now make it possible to detect and observe them using motion detection software.

The Longmont Astronomical Society began a planning process to construct an observatory at a mountain location near Nederland, CO in April 2010. As a first step we decided to build an all-sky camera to monitor sky conditions near the site.  The camera was designed to deliver images of the sky in near real time to the Longmont club's website.  It was also designed to detect meteors and determine their azimuth, altitude, and brightness.

The all-sky camera project is a collaborative effort with the University of Colorado, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Longmont Astronomical Society.