Unihedron Sky Quality Meter # SQM
Brand | Unihedron |
Part Number | SQM |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
An affordable meter for measuring sky brightness for astronomers! The "Sky Quality Meter" measures the brightness of the night sky in magnitudes per square arcsecond. Designed by Dr. Doug Welch and Anthony Tekatch, the Unihedron Sky Quality Meter offers unprecedented sensitivity in a handheld meter.
Uses:
- Find out how good the night or site REALLY is.
- Compare the sky brightness at different sites quantitatively.
- Document the evolution of light pollution in your area.
- Set planetarium dome illumination to mimic the skies people are likely to experience elsewhere in the city.
- Monitor sky brightness through the night, night-to-night, and year-to-year.
- Determine which nights show the greatest promise for finding the 'faintest fuzzies'!
- Calibrate the effect of sky brightness on qualitative measures such as the Bortle Scale.
- Investigate how sky brightness correlates with the solar cycle and month-to-month sunspot activity.
- Help provide local ground truth for future sky brightness prediction with the Clear Sky Clock.
- CCD users can make a correlation between the SQM reading and when the background reaches some ADC level.
Features:
- Audible signal while measurement is in progress.
- Sky brightness displayed in visual magnitudes per square arcsecond.
- Infrared blocking filter restricts measurement to visual bandpass.
- Temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit as well as model number and serial number can be displayed with different button press sequence.
- Precision readings at even the darkest sites.
- Power-saving features designed in for maximum battery life.
- Reverse battery protection.
Specifications:
- The Half Width Half Maximum (HWHM) of the angular sensitivity is ~42° (See photo 2)
- Operates from 9V battery (included).
- Size 3.8 x 2.4 x 1 in.
- Maximum light sampling time: 80 seconds.
- Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Reviews
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Apr 5, 2013
How dark is it?
Pros:Accurate,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction,Lightweight
Cons: Comments:I use it to get an objective appraisal of how dark the night sky is for astronomy purposes. Also, with this item I can get accurate temperature readings to find out how cold it really is when I'm out. Overall I find the SQM excellent. I didn't give it four stars because temperature readings in degrees are difficult to get it to do.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 18, 2011Great for evaluating light pollution
Pros:Strong Construction,Compact,Easy to Use,Lightweight,Accurate
Cons: Comments:A great instrument to fight light pollution and to know what to expect in the astrophotography sessions.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
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