Lunatico Astronomia CloudWatcher cloud detector

CloudWatcher advantages:

Full information about sky conditions
With sky quality measurement
Very affordable price
Reliable readings
Easy interpretation of all information
Connectable to the SOLO for low power, 24×7 availability
Software available for:
- - Windows (free)
  - INDILib (free) ,
  - INDIGO
  - MAC OSX (developed by Richard Francis, GerSpatial, available from the at a very reasonable cost).
  - And autonomously with the SOLO
  - ASCOM safety monitor and observing conditions drivers available
Very low maintenance
A new version adapted to work with the Hydreon RG-9 Rain sensor (available from 2021 January). The current item, the CW standard version, can not be used with the Hydreon RG-9 Rain sensor, if you prefer the CW Hydreon version.
Extremely reasonable cost of eventual servicing/repairs (*)
Product in constant review and improvement
With the experience and service of Lunatico Astronomía
New screens, better information!

The CloudWatcher includes:

A custom box with a special exterior finish that includes:
Clouds sensor
Rain sensor – two versions: capacitive (this model *) and compatible with Hydreon RG-9
Light sensor capable of measuring the sky darkness quality – New 2022/2023
Dichroic UV/IR filter for the correct measurement of the sky darkness quality – New for 2022/2023
Temperature sensor
Relative Humidity, Atmospheric pressure sensor and Temperature sensor (RH & AP versions)
Anemometer (optional external accessory)
Long weather-proof cable (several lengths) with IP68 connector
Relay for observatory opening/closing

Let’s see them in detail:

► The CloudWatcher box. All the data collected by the AAG sensors and the anemometer are reflected in the computer through their corresponding graphics. These allow a comprehensive and easily understandable measurement of atmospheric conditions:

Clouds sensor

Through an infrared sensor of the AAG CloudWatcher measures the temperature of the sky, and an electronic thermometer measures the internal temperature. Both data are then related by a powerful formula used to determine the existence of clouds. The measuring result is easily read on the graphic “Cloud”.

Unlike other detectors, the AAG CloudWatcher allows the user to set the parameters for measurement, and thus adjust the detection of clouds for each place.

Rain sensor

CloudWatcher uses a variable capacitor to determine the existence of rain. In addition, the capacitor incorporates an internal resistance for heating the element, drying it, which allows a constant reliable reading.

Light sensor

From 2022 and 2023 the CloudWatcher incorporates a new extremely sensitive light sensor capable of not only distinguishing day and night, but also measuring the brightness of the background sky in “MPSA” (magnitudes per square arc second). .

Temperature sensor

Responsible for measuring the ambient temperature.

Relative Humidity, Atmospheric pressure sensor and Temperature sensor (RH & AP version)
The data from this sensor are supported by (attached image).