A simple guide to weather monitoring, roof automation and observatory protection with Lunaticoastro systems.
Whether you are starting with weather monitoring or building a fully automated observatory, our systems work together to monitor conditions, control equipment and protect your observatory.
How it all fits together:
CloudWatcher continuously monitors weather conditions and helps protect your observatory from unsafe weather.
CloudWatcher monitors:
Common configurations:
Which controller do I need? The right controller depends on your observatory.
Dragonfly controls a roll-off roof together with other observatory equipment, sensors and safety signals.
Caterpillar is designed for motor and position control: dome rotation and shutter, or roll-off roof motion, depending on the model.
They are not exclusive. Caterpillar can take care of the dome mechanics while Dragonfly handles the rest of the observatory.
For general observatory automation.
Dragonfly connects weather monitoring, roof automation and observatory equipment into a single control system.
What can Dragonfly do:
What do I need?
Dragonfly can be extended with a range of sensors to suit your observatory setup.
For domes and motor control.
Caterpillar controls dome rotation and shutter, or roll-off roof motion, depending on the model. It works with motors, encoders, home sensors and limit switches, and can receive external weather and safety signals.
What can Caterpillar do:
The Caterpillar LOCo board does not drive the motor itself: the driver goes with it, and which one depends on your motor. One board and one driver per moving part.
Together, they provide monitoring, notifications and emergency protection for unattended observatories.
The controller depends on your setup.
General observatory and roll-off roof control.
Dome and motor control.
Start with weather monitoring and observatory control, then add:
