Ontario Aurora Chasers is excited to announce an initiative to create a network of weather-proof webcams strategically placed throughout Ontario. We are hoping OAC members will come together and consider donating to this project so we can deploy our first aurora camera providing aurora chasers, specifically in Ontario, a reliable resource in the aurora chasing toolkit.
Custom software has been created and successfully tested on April 15/16, 2024. Hardware will consist of a custom weather-proofed housing, DSLR camera, low-light capable lens, single board computer, power options, 3d printed parts, gaskets, cooling/heating, fabrication and mounting options. Each of these incurs costs to fund the initial build, installation and deployment.
Expected Deployment: April/May 2025
Current Progress
- The software (created by Scott Rock Photography) is fully developed and working with a DSLR camera. It was successfully field tested on April 15/16, 2024.
- Webpages and custom code have been implemented on OAC website and tested for the Georgian Bay location on a dedicated page.
- Capture Mode: Photo (Video may be added in future)
- Hardware and parts need to be purchased for the physical build to be completed and installed.
Location
Our first auroracam will be installed on the Georgian Bay shoreline of Lake Huron. The Georgian Bay location offers obstruction-free views of the northern skies of the waters of Georgian Bay.
- The Georgian Bay site location has been determined and finalizing agreement with the property owner.
- Power and Internet access is available on-site.
- Installation-friendly location.
- Camera can be located away from light pollution (street lights, city lights, cottages).
Hardware
Hardware will consist of a custom weather-proofed case, DSLR camera, low-light capable lens, single board computer, power options, 3d printed parts, gaskets, cooling/heating, fabrication and mounting options.
Estimated Costs
Outdoor Case/Housing: $450
Camera: $350
Lens: $300
Lens Heating: $40
Computing: $175
Power + Redundancy: $115
Mounting / Installation: $250
Security: $50
Photo Capture
While the custom software fully supports live video and rebroadcasting to Youtube and Facebook Live, this specific camera will initially be configured as photo capture mode. Photo capture mode is a superior format for aurora chasers at lower latitudes because faint and building aurora would be easier to spot using long exposures from a DSLR versus a compressed live video stream.
Features:
- Long exposure photo capture offers clear views of the night sky.
- Adjustments for moon and twilight phases.
- Captured image updates on web page every 3-5 minutes without requiring webpage refresh.
- One hour timelapses automatically built for previous hour’s activity.
- Three-hour timelapses built of previous three hours of activity (starting 3 hours after sunset)
- Each morning a timelapse is automatically generated for previous night (sunset to sunrise).
- Image archive will contain 7 days of capture history at 10 minute intervals.
We Need Your Help!
Your donation will go to help fund the building, maintenance, and costs involved in the Georgian Bay auroracam project.