Launching a Remote Observation Point near Rowe, New Mexico

April 27, 2924

Anyone is welcome to use the 43x Zoom PTZ camera to look for fires🔥
( or anything else interesting in the sky🛸 )


Below is an observation post over 10 miles away!

PTZ camera zoom video

This PTZ camera was installed by Active InSite in Santa Fe New Mexico. The PTZ camera is controlled via an RS485 low voltage cable and an Axis IP video encoder using the Pelco-d protocol. URL PTZ commands from the Axis API are pulled using curl which is triggered via a PHP script. From there a custom PTZ control interface was designed using HTML and CSS code.


Analog Cameras

Ravencrest Observatory uses analog cameras for live viewing.

This is because they have old CCD sensors and can keep their shutter open for an extended period of time. Paired with large pixel sizes due to their low resolution, these cameras are able to see well at night without infrared lights - which would interfere with the observatory telescope and the PTZ Camera's long range night vision.

You just won't see this kind of sensitivity in a modern IP camera:

Minimum illumination 0.00002 lux (Intensifier3â„¢ @ 512x)


The Observatory Telescope

The telescope is not ready just yet for public use, but will be shortly. I have to work out the observatory roof automation system, which relies on sensor data to know when it is safe to open the roof. If you want to use the telescope in the meantime please email me at activeinsite@plateautel.net