Global Meteor Network - User contributions [en]

Build the camera itself

2024-11-26T22:37:55Z

RadimStano: /* Attaching the Lens to the Camera */

Howdy! This is probably the most fun part, where you will put all the pieces together. Follow the order of steps. If you'll find something not particularly clear, let us know in the forums, so we may fix it.

= Assembly =
<s>[Note: there's a longer version of the camera assembly section of this page available on Google Docs. Please refer to [https://docs.google.com/document/d/18TT-Jm7z9kYskl5ua07jQWD91OiyBemBnOosiNdW6nY/edit?usp=sharing this] if you need more information.]</s>

<table><tr><td>
== Preparing the Lens ==
[[File:Irblock.jpg|thumb|right|single filter: punch out the filter]]
* Start by removing protective covers from the sensor and lens. Take care not to touch the sensor after this is removed.

* The cameras come with an IR Block filter in the lens holder. We don't want this.

'''Lens holder with single filter'''
* If you have a lens like the one shown in the first image, unscrew the lens from the holder.
* Then using a screwdriver, carefully push the filter out of the lens holder as shown in the image on the right. If you push from the front, the filter may come out intact.
* If it shatters, make sure there are no shards left.

'''Lens holder with electronic filter drawer'''
* Some lenses come an electronic day/night filter drawer. These have a small cable to plug into the camera board. Two different types of these filter holders are shown here.
[[File:lensholders2.jpg|thumb|right|Two sorts of lens holder with day/night filters]]

* DO NOT try to punch out the filter directly as this may jam the mechanism or leave shards of glass inside.
* If your holder is the type with a rectangular sliding drawer, remove the drawer by undoing the screw on the end. Then remove the while filter glass entirely.
[[File:slidedrawer.jpg|thumb|right|Sliding type: Remove the filter entirely]]

* If your holder is the other type, undo the three small screws on the top and take off the cover. Then remove the clear filter. You can leave the reddish daylight filter.
[[File:rotatingfilter.jpg|thumb|right|Rotating type: Remove just the clear filter]]

* Now reassemble the filter holder. Do not connect the power cable to the camera.

* Next look on the underside of the lens holder where you will see two plastic nubbins. These get in the way, so using the wire cutters snip them off. Make sure you get the base completely flat.

* Then screw the lens back into the lens holder.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Attaching the Lens to the Camera ==
[[File:lensattaching.jpg|thumb|right|Attaching the Lens]]

* Carefully unclip the circuit board from the plastic holder but do not detach the ribbon cable. (Only for IMX291, IMX307 is just a single board)

* Using the supplied screws, attach the lens to the sensor. '''Please be careful when installing the lens onto an IMX307 module, transistors and capacitors are very close to the area where a lens will be placed.'''

* Replace the circuit board in the plastic holder.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Preparing the Camera Housing ==
[[File:glands.jpg|thumb|right|Glands in Place]]
* Fit the small cable gland to the housing and pass the loose ends of the Camera PoE cable up through, but don't tighten it up yet. Remember to slip the cap over the cable first!

* Fit the large cable gland in the other opening, and push a piece of plastic packing foam into it. Don't seal it up completely though this is to keep insects from getting in, but allow moisture out.

* We do not recommend that you put the whole cable inside the housing, as the LEDs on it will create light pollution inside the housing.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>
== Attaching the Camera ==
[[File:camerafitted.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Mount]]

'''Note: I recommend installing the camera in the housing at this point so that you do not have to detach the cables or risk knocking focus later on. However, you can proceed to test focus etc before installing the camera in the housing if you wish.''' If you prefer to do that, skip this section for now and come back later. Otherwise:

* Connect the metal camera holder to the metal plate using one 6mm M3 screw. Note the orientation of the plate as shown in the photo.

* Using three 12 mm M2 screws, connect the camera board to the metal holder, passing the lens through the square hole from the back.

* Note that on some camera models, the writing on the camera board or image of a stick man must be UPSIDE DOWN to get the correct orientation of the camera. In this orientation, the sockets for power and networking will be at the bottom of the rear of the camera board. To be sure you have it the right way up, see advice in the section on Testing and Focusing.

* Finally, remove the plastic cap on the lens.
See image for the proper camera board orientation, so the video is not sideways or upside down.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the Camera in the Housing ==
[[File:camerainhousing.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Housing]]

* Remove the plastic plate from inside the housing and discard it.

* Fit the camera on its metal plate into the housing, as close to the front glass as you can get it without actually touching. A few millimetres away should be good.

* Looking at the camera from the rear, attach the largest connector (often with blue/green wires) to the right hand socket.

* Attach the power connector to the left hand socket. This connector has several pins but only two are connected (red/black).

* The third connector (two pins, red/black) is for a powered lens and is not used so tape it back out of the way.

* Once you've secured the camera in position, you can tighten up the cable glands.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the cooling housing to the Raspberry Pi 4 ==

Install 2 fans into the case, remove the foils from the pads, put the in place, and screw the case together. Then plug in the wires of the fans as per the below picture.
[[File:Raspi4_in_case_small.jpg|700px]]

</td></tr></table>

Perfect! Now you have the camera part ready. Let’s continue with flashing the RMS Linux image onto an SD card or a USB key. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2024-11-26T19:12:49Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration */

Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software (works on Windows only) or via RMS scripts (can be done directly from your Raspberry Pi). In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

'''Please note:''' IMX307 has almost identical firmware and the settings are the same apart from one and that is gain, which you need to set to 15 instead of 60 as for IMX291.

'''Warning:''' Please set IMX307 to a fixed IP address instead of DHCP as there were reported issues with the DHCP setting on this module.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteors.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

'''Run this ONLY FOR IMX307 as addition to the script run above'''
<pre>python -m Utils.CameraControl SetParam Camera GainParam Gain 15</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Build the camera itself

2024-11-26T19:02:46Z

RadimStano: /* Attaching the Lens to the Camera */

Howdy! This is probably the most fun part, where you will put all the pieces together. Follow the order of steps. If you'll find something not particularly clear, let us know in the forums, so we may fix it.

= Assembly =
<s>[Note: there's a longer version of the camera assembly section of this page available on Google Docs. Please refer to [https://docs.google.com/document/d/18TT-Jm7z9kYskl5ua07jQWD91OiyBemBnOosiNdW6nY/edit?usp=sharing this] if you need more information.]</s>

<table><tr><td>
== Preparing the Lens ==
[[File:Irblock.jpg|thumb|right|single filter: punch out the filter]]
* Start by removing protective covers from the sensor and lens. Take care not to touch the sensor after this is removed.

* The cameras come with an IR Block filter in the lens holder. We don't want this.

'''Lens holder with single filter'''
* If you have a lens like the one shown in the first image, unscrew the lens from the holder.
* Then using a screwdriver, carefully push the filter out of the lens holder as shown in the image on the right. If you push from the front, the filter may come out intact.
* If it shatters, make sure there are no shards left.

'''Lens holder with electronic filter drawer'''
* Some lenses come an electronic day/night filter drawer. These have a small cable to plug into the camera board. Two different types of these filter holders are shown here.
[[File:lensholders2.jpg|thumb|right|Two sorts of lens holder with day/night filters]]

* DO NOT try to punch out the filter directly as this may jam the mechanism or leave shards of glass inside.
* If your holder is the type with a rectangular sliding drawer, remove the drawer by undoing the screw on the end. Then remove the while filter glass entirely.
[[File:slidedrawer.jpg|thumb|right|Sliding type: Remove the filter entirely]]

* If your holder is the other type, undo the three small screws on the top and take off the cover. Then remove the clear filter. You can leave the reddish daylight filter.
[[File:rotatingfilter.jpg|thumb|right|Rotating type: Remove just the clear filter]]

* Now reassemble the filter holder. Do not connect the power cable to the camera.

* Next look on the underside of the lens holder where you will see two plastic nubbins. These get in the way, so using the wire cutters snip them off. Make sure you get the base completely flat.

* Then screw the lens back into the lens holder.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Attaching the Lens to the Camera ==
[[File:lensattaching.jpg|thumb|right|Attaching the Lens]]

* Carefully unclip the circuit board from the plastic holder but do not detach the ribbon cable. (Only for IMX291, IMX307 is just a single board)

* Using the supplied screws, attach the lens to the sensor.

* Replace the circuit board in the plastic holder.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Preparing the Camera Housing ==
[[File:glands.jpg|thumb|right|Glands in Place]]
* Fit the small cable gland to the housing and pass the loose ends of the Camera PoE cable up through, but don't tighten it up yet. Remember to slip the cap over the cable first!

* Fit the large cable gland in the other opening, and push a piece of plastic packing foam into it. Don't seal it up completely though this is to keep insects from getting in, but allow moisture out.

* We do not recommend that you put the whole cable inside the housing, as the LEDs on it will create light pollution inside the housing.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>
== Attaching the Camera ==
[[File:camerafitted.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Mount]]

'''Note: I recommend installing the camera in the housing at this point so that you do not have to detach the cables or risk knocking focus later on. However, you can proceed to test focus etc before installing the camera in the housing if you wish.''' If you prefer to do that, skip this section for now and come back later. Otherwise:

* Connect the metal camera holder to the metal plate using one 6mm M3 screw. Note the orientation of the plate as shown in the photo.

* Using three 12 mm M2 screws, connect the camera board to the metal holder, passing the lens through the square hole from the back.

* Note that on some camera models, the writing on the camera board or image of a stick man must be UPSIDE DOWN to get the correct orientation of the camera. In this orientation, the sockets for power and networking will be at the bottom of the rear of the camera board. To be sure you have it the right way up, see advice in the section on Testing and Focusing.

* Finally, remove the plastic cap on the lens.
See image for the proper camera board orientation, so the video is not sideways or upside down.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the Camera in the Housing ==
[[File:camerainhousing.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Housing]]

* Remove the plastic plate from inside the housing and discard it.

* Fit the camera on its metal plate into the housing, as close to the front glass as you can get it without actually touching. A few millimetres away should be good.

* Looking at the camera from the rear, attach the largest connector (often with blue/green wires) to the right hand socket.

* Attach the power connector to the left hand socket. This connector has several pins but only two are connected (red/black).

* The third connector (two pins, red/black) is for a powered lens and is not used so tape it back out of the way.

* Once you've secured the camera in position, you can tighten up the cable glands.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the cooling housing to the Raspberry Pi 4 ==

Install 2 fans into the case, remove the foils from the pads, put the in place, and screw the case together. Then plug in the wires of the fans as per the below picture.
[[File:Raspi4_in_case_small.jpg|700px]]

</td></tr></table>

Perfect! Now you have the camera part ready. Let’s continue with flashing the RMS Linux image onto an SD card or a USB key. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-11-26T18:57:06Z

RadimStano: /* Sensor */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board (IMX307 sensor board if IMX291 sensor board is sold out)
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 5 (recommended) or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (minimum) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IMX291 Hi3516Cv300]

In case IMX291 is sold out, feel free to buy IMX307 sensor board. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002676397053.html IMX307 Hi3516Ev100]

Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector, PoE Switch (Optional) and PoE replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector and connect all the cameras to your network - '''please source locally'''.
* [https://www.tendacn.com/product/tef1110p-8-63w.html TEF1110P-8-63W 10-Port 10/100M Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE]

It is a good idea to keep a replacement PoE camera side cable or two:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001297174234.html Poe cable - Select RJ45 or RJ45DC]
Alternative cable - please note that in the picture just 2 connectors are visible, but you will receive all the connectors needed for IMX291 board (1 pcs 2pin port (2.0mm), 1 pcs 4pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 6pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 8pin port (1.25mm)):
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002598310068.html Poe Cable]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Also, the Pi3 is stuck on Python 2 for which we will drop support on July 1, 2025.

Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with your Pi - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-11-26T18:56:15Z

RadimStano: /* Sensor */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board (IMX307 sensor board if IMX291 sensor board is sold out)
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 5 (recommended) or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (minimum) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]

In case IMX291 is sold out, feel free to buy IMX307 sensor board. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002676397053.html IMX307 Hi3516Ev100]

Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector, PoE Switch (Optional) and PoE replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector and connect all the cameras to your network - '''please source locally'''.
* [https://www.tendacn.com/product/tef1110p-8-63w.html TEF1110P-8-63W 10-Port 10/100M Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE]

It is a good idea to keep a replacement PoE camera side cable or two:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001297174234.html Poe cable - Select RJ45 or RJ45DC]
Alternative cable - please note that in the picture just 2 connectors are visible, but you will receive all the connectors needed for IMX291 board (1 pcs 2pin port (2.0mm), 1 pcs 4pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 6pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 8pin port (1.25mm)):
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002598310068.html Poe Cable]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Also, the Pi3 is stuck on Python 2 for which we will drop support on July 1, 2025.

Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with your Pi - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-11-26T18:53:19Z

RadimStano: /* Parts and Tools needed */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board (IMX307 sensor board if IMX291 sensor board is sold out)
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 5 (recommended) or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (minimum) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector, PoE Switch (Optional) and PoE replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector and connect all the cameras to your network - '''please source locally'''.
* [https://www.tendacn.com/product/tef1110p-8-63w.html TEF1110P-8-63W 10-Port 10/100M Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE]

It is a good idea to keep a replacement PoE camera side cable or two:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001297174234.html Poe cable - Select RJ45 or RJ45DC]
Alternative cable - please note that in the picture just 2 connectors are visible, but you will receive all the connectors needed for IMX291 board (1 pcs 2pin port (2.0mm), 1 pcs 4pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 6pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 8pin port (1.25mm)):
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002598310068.html Poe Cable]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Also, the Pi3 is stuck on Python 2 for which we will drop support on July 1, 2025.

Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with your Pi - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Images checksums

2024-10-11T22:10:04Z

RadimStano:

'''32-bit Jessie'''<br>
12/03/2019 10:48 PM 8,436,842,496 RMS_image_20191203.img<br>
Checksum: 58F7B1D9E300630F0AE1A59FF5F33D98<br>
Size: 7.85 GB<br>

12/04/2019 06:03 PM 3,354,220,537 RMS_image_20191203.zip<br>
Checksum: 24186A4F3FB0A0458107AE36B984282E<br>
Size: 3.13 GB<br>

'''32-bit Buster'''<br>
08/04/2023 05:55 PM 3,096,073,608 RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz<br>
Checksum: 32D9D545BED5B428A9700661751E8D3E<br>
Size: 2.88 GB<br>

'''64-bit Bullseye'''<br>
08/29/2024 06:44 PM 3,248,648,508 RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz<br>
Checksum: 66D24DB2A485438919D9B6E0D28FB2A0<br>
Size: 3.02 GB<br>

'''64-bit Bookworm'''<br>
09/10/2024 01:19 PM 3,117,049,056 RMS_RPi5Bookworm_image_20240910.img.xz<br>
Checksum: A0E1B6BDD757A66BA3BF93AB6C37E468<br>
Size: 2.90GB<br>

Return to the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi.]

Images checksums

2024-10-11T22:07:32Z

RadimStano:

'''32-bit Jessie'''<br>
12/03/2019 10:48 PM 8,436,842,496 RMS_image_20191203.img<br>
Checksum: 58F7B1D9E300630F0AE1A59FF5F33D98 7.85 GB<br>

12/04/2019 06:03 PM 3,354,220,537 RMS_image_20191203.zip<br>
Checksum: 24186A4F3FB0A0458107AE36B984282E 3.13 GB<br>

'''32-bit Buster'''<br>
08/04/2023 05:55 PM 3,096,073,608 RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz<br>
Checksum: 32D9D545BED5B428A9700661751E8D3E 2.88 GB<br>

'''64-bit Bullseye'''<br>
08/29/2024 06:44 PM 3,248,648,508 RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz<br>
Checksum: 66D24DB2A485438919D9B6E0D28FB2A0 3.02 GB<br>

'''64-bit Bookworm'''<br>
09/10/2024 01:19 PM 3,117,049,056 RMS_RPi5Bookworm_image_20240910.img.xz<br>
Checksum: A0E1B6BDD757A66BA3BF93AB6C37E468 2.90GB<br>

Return to the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi.]

Images checksums

2024-10-11T22:06:55Z

RadimStano:

Images checksums

2024-10-10T23:08:26Z

RadimStano: Created page with "'''32-bit Jessie'''<br> 12/03/2019 10:48 PM 8,436,842,496 RMS_image_20191203.img<br> Checksum: 58F7B1D9E300630F0AE1A59FF5F33D98 7.85 GB<br> 12/04/2019 06:03 PM 3,354,220,537 RMS_image_20191203.zip<br> Checksum: 24186A4F3FB0A0458107AE36B984282E 3.13 GB<br> '''32-bit Buster'''<br> 08/04/2023 05:55 PM 3,096,073,608 RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz<br> Checksum: 32D9D545BED5B428A9700661751E8D3E 2.88 GB<br> '''64-bit Bullseye'''<br> 08/29/2024 06:44 PM..."

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2024-10-10T23:03:50Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for your Raspberry Pi model from the list below and save it on the PC somewhere.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 4B''' we recommend you will download and use [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bullseye 64-bit.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 5''' download [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi5Bookworm_image_20240910.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bookworm 64-bit and this is the only image working with Raspberry Pi 5. '''Please note''' that it can be used for Raspberry Pi 4B, but there are some things not working there (Anydesk, RTC module) and we see no advantage in running this image on Raspberry Pi 4B at the moment.
#:* '''For archive purposes''', you can download the previous 32-bit image for Raspberry Pi 4B based on Buster 32-bit [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it and know what you are doing.
#:* In case of trouble with the images please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Images_checksums Here] you can find a list of checksums and sizes of images.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus <s>or Raspberry Pi Imager</s> - we do not recommend the use of Pi Imager as it caused a lot of faulty images to be burnt lately) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2024-09-30T23:04:10Z

RadimStano: /* Install OS by flashing the image */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for your Raspberry Pi model from the list below and save it on the PC somewhere.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 4B''' we recommend you will download and use [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bullseye 64-bit.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 5''' download [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi5Bookworm_image_20240910.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bookworm 64-bit and this is the only image working with Raspberry Pi 5. '''Please note''' that it can be used for Raspberry Pi 4B, but there are some things not working there (Anydesk, RTC module) and we see no advantage in running this image on Raspberry Pi 4B at the moment.
#:* '''For archive purposes''', you can download the previous 32-bit image for Raspberry Pi 4B based on Buster 32-bit [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it and know what you are doing.
#:* In case of trouble with the images please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus <s>or Raspberry Pi Imager</s> - we do not recommend the use of Pi Imager as it caused a lot of faulty images to be burnt lately) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2024-09-12T20:27:06Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for your Raspberry Pi model from the list below and save it on the PC somewhere.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 4B''' we recommend you will download and use [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bullseye 64-bit.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 5''' download [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi5Bookworm_image_20240910.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bookworm 64-bit and this is the only image working with Raspberry Pi 5. '''Please note''' that it can be used for Raspberry Pi 4B, but there are some things not working there (Anydesk, RTC module) and we see no advantage in running this image on Raspberry Pi 4B at the moment.
#:* '''For archive purposes''', you can download the previous 32-bit image for Raspberry Pi 4B based on Buster 32-bit [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it and know what you are doing.
#:* In case of trouble with the images please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installation for Linux

2024-08-20T15:55:32Z

RadimStano:

=== Installation for Linux ===

To streamline the maintenance of these scripts as the RMS codebase evolves the install code for Linux has been moved to reside in the MultiCam directory maintained in the RMS github pages.

For single station use follow the MultiCam instructions and let the script proceed to install RMS and at the point the user is prompted -

Do you wish to configure some stations?

Exit the script by typing N or n

The script will then exit and leave you at the default shell prompt with RMS installed with the default camera configuration location residing in -

~/source/RMS

Detailed instructions [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTh_CtwxKu3_vxB6YpEoctLpsn5-v677qJgWsYi6gEr_QKacrfrfIz4lFM1l-CZO86t1HwFfk3P5Nb6/pub here]

Installation for Linux

2024-08-20T08:20:37Z

RadimStano: /* Installation for Linux */

=== Installation for Linux ===
<span style="color:red">'''''THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE OUTDATED – PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW'''''
'''''WE ARE WORKING ON THE ACTUAL ONES'''''
</span>

To streamline the maintenance of these scripts as the RMS codebase evolves the install code for Linux has been moved to reside in the MultiCam directory maintained in the RMS github pages.

For single station use follow the MultiCam instructions and let the script proceed to install RMS and at the point the user is prompted -

Do you wish to configure some stations?

Exit the script by typing N or n

The script will then exit and leave you at the default shell prompt with RMS installed with the default camera configuration location residing in -

~/source/RMS

Detailed instructions [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTh_CtwxKu3_vxB6YpEoctLpsn5-v677qJgWsYi6gEr_QKacrfrfIz4lFM1l-CZO86t1HwFfk3P5Nb6/pub here]

Main Page

2024-07-23T21:18:31Z

RadimStano: /* GMN talks */

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section!</span>'''

'''<span style="color:red">For German speakers, there is the Build camera from scratch documentation written by students of [https://fsg-preetz.de/ Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz] available [http://wiki.linux-astronomie.de/doku.php?id=ceres here]. This version is maintained by Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz. </span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

:'''Please note:''' in case you are on older Buster image, then you need to replace username 'rms' with 'pi', e.g. /home/pi instead of /home/rms. How to determine which to use? Simply run:
::ls /home/rms home/pi
: whichever comes existent is your home directory

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/rms/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/rms/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/rms/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/rms/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/rms/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmQ5Bvz4ACYJLYfswIeAipapoeGeI6QWy GMN talk for Society for Astronomical Sciences workshop 2024 (The first 3 videos)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2024-06-10T18:41:35Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for your Raspberry Pi model from the list below and save it on the PC somewhere.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 4B''' we recommend you will download and use [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz this image]. It is based on Bullseye 64-bit.
#:* If you have '''Raspberry Pi 5''' download [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nMXANx41jnsZH0JW6vcvFKH-Ux4XwyA-/view?usp=sharing this image]. It is based on Bookworm 64-bit and this is the only image working with Raspberry Pi 5. '''Please note''' that it can be used for Raspberry Pi 4B, but there are some things not working there (Anydesk, RTC module) and we see no advantage in running this image on Raspberry Pi 4B at the moment.
#:* '''For archive purposes''', you can download the previous 32-bit image for Raspberry Pi 4B based on Buster 32-bit [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it and know what you are doing.
#:* In case of trouble with the images please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-05-09T21:20:15Z

RadimStano: /* Power Over Ethernet Injector, Power Over Ethernet Switch (Optional) and Power Over Ethernet replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector, PoE Switch (Optional) and PoE replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector and connect all the cameras to your network - '''please source locally'''.
* [https://www.tendacn.com/product/tef1110p-8-63w.html TEF1110P-8-63W 10-Port 10/100M Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE]

It is a good idea to keep a replacement PoE camera side cable or two:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001297174234.html Poe cable - Select RJ45 or RJ45DC]
Alternative cable - please note that in the picture just 2 connectors are visible, but you will receive all the connectors needed for IMX291 board (1 pcs 2pin port (2.0mm), 1 pcs 4pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 6pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 8pin port (1.25mm)):
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002598310068.html Poe Cable]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-05-09T21:19:36Z

RadimStano: /* Power Over Ethernet Injector */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector, Power Over Ethernet Switch (Optional) and Power Over Ethernet replacement camera side cables (Optional, but recommended) ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector and connect all the cameras to your network - '''please source locally'''.
* [https://www.tendacn.com/product/tef1110p-8-63w.html TEF1110P-8-63W 10-Port 10/100M Desktop Switch with 8-Port PoE]

It is a good idea to keep a replacement PoE camera side cable or two:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001297174234.html Poe cable - Select RJ45 or RJ45DC]
Alternative cable - please note that in the picture just 2 connectors are visible, but you will receive all the connectors needed for IMX291 board (1 pcs 2pin port (2.0mm), 1 pcs 4pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 6pin port (1.25mm), 1 pcs 8pin port (1.25mm)):
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002598310068.html Poe Cable]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-05-09T21:05:43Z

RadimStano: /* Lens */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternative lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000812889681.html POE Switch 120W 48V 8-Port 10/100M IEEE802.3af + 2x100M Ethernet]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Main Page

2024-05-05T23:51:57Z

RadimStano: /* Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys */

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section!</span>'''

'''<span style="color:red">For German speakers, there is the Build camera from scratch documentation written by students of [https://fsg-preetz.de/ Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz] available [http://wiki.linux-astronomie.de/doku.php?id=ceres here]. This version is maintained by Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz. </span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

:'''Please note:''' in case you are on older Buster image, then you need to replace username 'rms' with 'pi', e.g. /home/pi instead of /home/rms. How to determine which to use? Simply run:
::ls /home/rms home/pi
: whichever comes existent is your home directory

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/rms/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/rms/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/rms/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/rms/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/rms/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-05-05T23:03:36Z

RadimStano: /* Lens */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternate lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm OR 6mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000812889681.html POE Switch 120W 48V 8-Port 10/100M IEEE802.3af + 2x100M Ethernet]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2024-05-05T23:02:32Z

RadimStano: /* Lens */

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]
Alternate lenses (4mm and 6 mm) are available here:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003145991079.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000812889681.html POE Switch 120W 48V 8-Port 10/100M IEEE802.3af + 2x100M Ethernet]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Main Page

2024-03-25T21:13:40Z

RadimStano:

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section!</span>'''

'''<span style="color:red">For German speakers, there is the Build camera from scratch documentation written by students of [https://fsg-preetz.de/ Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz] available [http://wiki.linux-astronomie.de/doku.php?id=ceres here]. This version is maintained by Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz. </span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Main Page

2024-03-25T21:08:32Z

RadimStano:

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section ! For German speakers, there is the Build camera from scratch documentation written by students of [https://fsg-preetz.de/ Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz] available [http://wiki.linux-astronomie.de/doku.php?id=ceres here]. This version is maintained by Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium in Preetz. </span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Main Page

2024-03-25T21:05:34Z

RadimStano:

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section ! For German speakers, there is the Build camera from scratch documentation written by students of [https://fsg-preetz.de/ Friedrich Schiller Gymnasium in Preetz] available [http://wiki.linux-astronomie.de/doku.php?id=ceres here]. This version is maintained by Friedrich Schiller Gymnasium in Preetz. </span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2024-02-28T13:38:15Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method */

Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software (works on Windows only) or via RMS scripts (can be done directly from your Raspberry Pi). In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteors.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2024-02-07T23:40:41Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration */

Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software (works on Windows only) or via RMS scripts (can be done directly from your Raspberry Pi). In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2024-02-07T23:40:13Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration */

Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software (work on Windows only) or via RMS scripts (can be done directly from your Raspberry Pi). In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Video instructions camera build

2024-02-03T12:29:36Z

RadimStano: Created page with " Howdy! What about watching a video of a real camera build? = Please note the following = The video instructions kindly created by '''Dave Jones''' are dated 01/2024 and are actual to this date. They may differ a bit from the documentation we prepare and maintain and contain UK specifics. As time passes we update our documentation and bring an improved version of the OS image and it is easier to update the documentation than to create a new video reflecting the changes,..."

Howdy! What about watching a video of a real camera build?

= Please note the following =
The video instructions kindly created by '''Dave Jones''' are dated 01/2024 and are actual to this date. They may differ a bit from the documentation we prepare and maintain and contain UK specifics. As time passes we update our documentation and bring an improved version of the OS image and it is easier to update the documentation than to create a new video reflecting the changes, so please be sure to read the documentation upfront and consult it in case something is different or outdated. Nevertheless, this does not decrease the value of the video series and it graphically guides you through a camera build. Thank you, '''Dave Jones'''!

= RMS (1) Camera and Housing setup =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJzgaB4LhB8&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=1
|alignment=center
}}

= RMS (2) IMX291 Camera setup =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWYgLaiJxEg&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=2
|alignment=center
}}

= RMS (3) Installing the RMS software onto your Pi =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtdL5bZkWRw&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=3
|alignment=center
}}

= RMS (4) How to assemble the parts. =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBlneEpy39k&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=4
|alignment=center
}}

= RMS (5) Using the software and finding your data =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOcrKJj-KBI&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=5
|alignment=center
}}

= RMS Camera System - Backup and Restore =
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QPE1STHR80&list=PLt2GkvwgeTz7lnw9iFJ2cYJNl59dQnnIE&index=6
|alignment=center
}}

Congratulations! You build your own camera from scratch! It is fully operational now - enjoy the data every morning! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Build & Install & Setup your camera - The complete how-to

2024-02-03T12:03:18Z

RadimStano:

Howdy future GMN camera operator! You will find here all the information needed to build a camera, install the software, set up a camera and where to mount it and point it. For your convenience the how-to is divided into different sections, logically grouping the steps. Let’s have a look at the steps needed to get your camera built and in production.

<table><tr><td>
[[File:signpost_small.jpg|left|700px]]
</td>
<td>
* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]'''
* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Video_instructions_camera_build VIDEO:Complete camera build video instructions - 01/2024 version]'''
</td></tr></table>

<u>Let's have a look in detail at what to expect in each section now:</u>

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]''' will help you prepare the shopping list of parts, give you some options and give you the list of tools you will need to continue. This is the most important section as all the preparations usually use to be and after ordering the parts it will give you time to check the other steps, if not already done. It will take around 1 month for the parts to be delivered (depending on your geographical location, time of year and some luck).

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]''' will guide you step by step in building a camera itself.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]''' will show you the easy way to get an Operating system, in our case customized Debian Linux onto your SD card or USB device.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]''' will help you cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing and test the whole system.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]''' will show you options, hints and some requirements for installing your new camera into position, pointing it to the sky, and finalizing the cabling.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]''' will be the final section, which will lead to a successful putting camera into the production stream on the server side. You will need to provide some information to the GMN team, generate ssh keys, and wait for the clear night.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]''' will provide you with some advanced and optional steps, like setting up the VPN or uploading your daily data to the istrastream servers, so you can have a quick look in the morning at your data easily.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]''' give you the possibility to get to know your fellow camera operators, and the GMN team and get more engaged in the GMN, a really friendly and helpful community, networking with people is important, isn’t it?

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Video_instructions_camera_build VIDEO: Complete camera build video instructions - 01/2024 version]''' guides you step by step in your camera build with video instructions.

That’s it, '''GMN camera operator''', you did it! Congratulations. Now it is the time to have a look at what your camera can do, what you can do with your data or get involved in some of the projects, improvements, outreach or wiki updates or simply observe meteors captured by your camera in the morning! We are glad to have you on board.

Build & Install & Setup your camera - The complete how-to

2024-02-03T11:59:03Z

RadimStano:

Howdy future GMN camera operator! You will find here all the information needed to build a camera, install the software, set up a camera and where to mount it and point it. For your convenience the how-to is divided into different sections, logically grouping the steps. Let’s have a look at the steps needed to get your camera built and in production.

<table><tr><td>
[[File:signpost_small.jpg|left|700px]]
</td>
<td>
* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]'''
* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Video_instructions_camera_build VIDEO:Complete camera build video instructions]'''
</td></tr></table>

<u>Let's have a look in detail at what to expect in each section now:</u>

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]''' will help you prepare the shopping list of parts, give you some options and give you the list of tools you will need to continue. This is the most important section as all the preparations usually use to be and after ordering the parts it will give you time to check the other steps, if not already done. It will take around 1 month for the parts to be delivered (depending on your geographical location, time of year and some luck).

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]''' will guide you step by step in building a camera itself.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]''' will show you the easy way to get an Operating system, in our case customized Debian Linux onto your SD card or USB device.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]''' will help you cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing and test the whole system.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]''' will show you options, hints and some requirements for installing your new camera into position, pointing it to the sky, and finalizing the cabling.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]''' will be the final section, which will lead to a successful putting camera into the production stream on the server side. You will need to provide some information to the GMN team, generate ssh keys, and wait for the clear night.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]''' will provide you with some advanced and optional steps, like setting up the VPN or uploading your daily data to the istrastream servers, so you can have a quick look in the morning at your data easily.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]''' give you the possibility to get to know your fellow camera operators, and the GMN team and get more engaged in the GMN, a really friendly and helpful community, networking with people is important, isn’t it?

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Video_instructions_camera_build VIDEO: Complete camera build video instructions]''' guides you step by step in your camera build with video instructions.

That’s it, '''GMN camera operator''', you did it! Congratulations. Now it is the time to have a look at what your camera can do, what you can do with your data or get involved in some of the projects, improvements, outreach or wiki updates or simply observe meteors captured by your camera in the morning! We are glad to have you on board.

Main Page

2023-12-22T22:17:59Z

RadimStano: /* IstraStream */

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section !</span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website NOW OBSOLETE] ===

: IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site primarily for cameras sold by IstraStream. In mid-2023 Istrastream stopped listing camera image output and the IstraStream data display has been replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Main Page

2023-12-22T22:14:55Z

RadimStano: /* GMN data policy */

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section !</span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusively own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website] ===

: The IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site which primarily hosts data by cameras sold by IstraStream, but they also host several other stations. As for mid-2023 Istrastream stopped taking new cameras and is aimed to be completely replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2023-12-18T19:18:56Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for Raspberry Pi 4B [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20231213.img.xz here] and save it on the PC somewhere. '''Note:''' this is the new 64-bit image based on Bullseye. You should use this image. For archive purposes, you can download the previous 32-bit image [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it. In case of trouble with the image please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2023-11-26T21:50:02Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for Raspberry Pi 4B [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20230830.img.xz here] and save it on the PC somewhere. '''Note:''' this is the new 64-bit image based on Bullseye. You should use this image. For archive purposes, you can download the previous 32-bit image [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it. In case of trouble with the image please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet. The process shown below uses BalenaEtcher as it is the simplest tool for beginners, but if you are familiar with another USB flashing utility (e.g. Rufus or Raspberry Pi Imager) feel free to use these. But if they don’t work for you, please fall back to BalenaEtcher and the process documented below.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2023-11-25T10:54:45Z

RadimStano: /* Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk */

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for Raspberry Pi 4B [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4Bullseye_image_20230830.img.xz here] and save it on the PC somewhere. '''Note:''' this is the new 64-bit image based on Bullseye. You should use this image. For archive purposes, you can download the previous 32-bit image [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here]. This image is not maintained and you should use it only if you really need it. In case of trouble with the image please contact the technical support group https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Announce your fancy new camera to the community

2023-10-18T13:08:41Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! And now it is time to get connected to the community!

= Main forum page =
Feel free to join [https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/main/topics this forum]. This is the main forum for GMN. It would be nice if you could introduce yourself and tell us about yourself, build of your camera, etc.

= Tech support forum =
In case of technical issues or help please use [https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/techsupport/topics this forum].

= Radiometer/luxmeter forum =
Are you up for something more? Have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.groups.io/g/radiometer/topics here].

Congratulations! You build your own camera from scratch! It is fully operational now - enjoy the data every morning! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Optional steps

2023-10-18T13:08:22Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! In this section, you will be introduced to some more, but optional steps.

== Connecting the camera to VPN (optional) ==
IMPORTANT NOTE:
You should only complete this step if you were instructed to do so.

1) Open the terminal

2) Navigate to Desktop (there should be a DownloadOpenVPNconfig.sh script there):

cd ~/Desktop

3) Run the DownloadOpenVPNconfig.sh script and give it your station code as the argument. In this example I’m using CA0001 - make sure to use your station code.

./DownloadOpenVPNconfig.sh CA0001

4) If everything goes well, you will see the message: Initialization Sequence Completed. Press CTRL + C to exit the script.

5) Reboot your Pi.

6) That’s it, the VPN should be working on your Pi! To check the VPN IP address, hover your mouse cursor on the VNC icon (upper right), and it will show you an IP address which looks something like this: 10.8.X.X. If you are also connected to the VPN, you may use this IP address to connect to your camera. If you want to connect to the VPN with your PC, please contact Denis or the GMN group for more details. If you are on Windows, the domain name like ca0001.gmnnet (replace ca0001 with your station code, lowercase) should work too.

== GMN weblog upload (upload to the GMN website - replacement for Istrastream) ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog archive] ===

: The GMN weblog is a replacement for Istrastream archives and it is recommended that you enable it, although it is not necessary for camera operations. This page adds the possibility to check your daily upload comfortably via the webpage instead of checking it directly on your camera's Raspberry Pi. You may check it in the link above to decide. The website is publicly available.
To enable this feature, simply add this to your config file or if it is already there, just enable it. You can add the description of your camera too.

[[File:weblog_screenshot.png|1024px|]]

'''How to modify your config file'''

Boot up your RPi. On the desktop there is a file called “RMS config”, open it.

This is how the config file should look, you can add it right after your camera parameters (section [System]) :

<pre>

; Show this camera on the GMN weblog
weblog_enable: true
; The description that will be shown on the weblog (e.g. location, pointing direction)
weblog_description: none

</pre>

Example of the config with position of the weblog:

[[File:weblog_config.png]]

Finally, this document explains what every plot on the GMN weblog/IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing GMN weblog/IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

You are now done with this section and you may introduce yourself and your fancy new camera to the friendly community. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

The last steps

2023-10-18T13:08:06Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! In this section, you will put your camera into the production stream on the server side by finishing configuration of RMS software in Linux.

= Automated setup via script =
The script will guide you through this process, but you will need these in advance:
*'''Station code''' - you have requested it previously - if not please do so now by sending an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with a short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.
*'''GPS coordinates of your camera''' - see the script, it is explaining how to obtain these or scroll down and check the section *Determining the location of the camera*

Once you got this information, proceed with the automated configuration script.

This is what you should see when you boot your Raspberry Pi and connect to it via VNC (or AnyDesk):
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Follow the instructions on the screen:
*Press Q to continue
*Press ENTER to continue

Now the script will explain what lies ahead of you:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_1.png|1500px|center]]

Follow the instructions on the screen:
*If you have flashed this SD card yourself, press ENTER.

Now the script will open a new window and give you exact instructions on how to expand the filesystem (to use the full capacity of the SD card/USB key). Follow these instructions:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_2.png|1500px|center]]

Now wait for the boot of your Raspberry Pi and once it is up, connect to it the usual way. Unfortunately, you will need to do all the previous steps except for the Filesystem expansion, where instead of pressing ENTER, you will press Q this time and then the script will check its Internet connection and asks you to change the password - please do so, use a strong password and save it in your favourite Password manager (e.g. KeePass). You will be asked to provide the current password, which is "rmsraspberry" without quotes.
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_3.png|1500px|center]]

Now the SSH keys used to upload data to the GMN server will be generated - press ENTER, and wait until the SSH keys are generated. Send the SSH key to denis.vida@gmail.com as per instructions (if you are not sure, see the *Generating an SSH key*section below), you can reply to the email where you have received your station code.
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_4.png|1500px|center]]

Press ENTER to continue. Now the RMS will update itself, please wait until done (this may take some time depending on the speed of your internet connection). Once it is done press ENTER to open the configuration file:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_5.png|1500px|center]]

A new window is open, move it and enlarge it so you have a better view. Edit your station code, latitude, longitude and elevation.

[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_6.png|1500px|center]]

Then save the file by clicking File -> Save (or CTRL + S) and close the window File -> Close window (or CTRL + Q). Then the RMS software will be started and you are ready for your first capture. It will look like this:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi_7.png|1500px|center]]

Now you are finished with this section and you may scroll down the page or proceed directly there: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

= Manual setup via command line =

== Capture software ==
The recording program is called RMS.StartCapture. A script that auto-updates the code is called RMS_FirstRun and it will start automatically when the RPi boots up, after which the recording loop will start. Note that during the update procedure, the config file will be reset. Please wait until the update is done, and your old config file will be copied back.

The capture will automatically start with sundown and stop with sunrise, although this is very dependent on the correct location of the camera being entered in the configuration file (see the Configuration section below).
Configuration
Changing the system password
If you haven’t changed your password during the initial configuration through the terminal window, so we strongly recommend that you change it.

== How to do it: ==
Boot up your RPi.
Open the terminal by clicking Start (RPi icon) → Accessories → Terminal
In the window that pops up, type passwd and press enter.
You will be asked to enter your current password - which is raspberry or rmsraspberry - and then your new password. Keep this new password in a secure place.

== Determining the location of the camera ==
To participate in the network you will need a unique station code. We will generate one for you once you let us know the exact geographical location of the camera. Measuring the precise location of the camera is very important for triangulating meteor trajectories - the location of you camera will not be shared with anyone without your consent.

How to do it:
Use a GPS app on your smartphone to measure the location by holding the phone close to the camera and write down the latitude, longitude and elevation. In the worst case, use Google Maps. Please use the precision for the longitude and latitude of at least 5 decimal places (or to within one “), and the elevation to a meter.

== Generating an SSH key ==
Every morning all meteor detections from the previous night are uploaded to the server, where trajectories and orbits of meteors are estimated. The system uses a secure way of talking to our server at the University of Western Ontario, and for that to work you need to generate an SSH key for your RPi and send it to us.

How to do it:
Boot up your RPi
Open the terminal by clicking Start (RPi icon) → Accessories → Terminal
Type: ssh-keygen -t rsa -m PEM and press enter
You will be asked where to save the SSH key, but just press enter.
If it asks you to overwrite the existing key, type y and press enter.
You will be asked for a passphrase two times. Don’t type anything and just press enter both times.
Type cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub and press enter.
Your SSH key will be printed to the terminal. The key starts with “ssh-rsa”, followed by a long string of characters, and it ends with “pi@raspberry”. Copy the whole key and send it to yourself via e-mail, or in any other way to keep it for later.

== Obtaining the station code ==
Send an e-mail to denis.vida@gmail.com with a short description of your camera, the country where the camera is located in, the geographical coordinates and the SSH key you have generated and copied in the step above. Also, send an approximate pointing of the camera - the azimuth measured from due North, and the elevation. You can measure the azimuth using a compass (or an compass app), and you can eyeball the elevation (0 degrees being the horizon, 90 degrees the zenith, i.e. straight up).
You will receive your unique station code within a period of several days at most. The station code consists of the ISO Alpha-2 country code followed by four alphanumeric characters, e.g. US00A2.

== Modifying the configuration file ==
Boot up your RPi
On the desktop there is a file called “RMS config”, open it.
Under the “[System]” section, write the station ID and the coordinates of your camera, which should look something like this:
[System]
stationID: CA0003
latitude: 42.7961 ; +N in degrees
longitude: -81.84219 ; +E in degrees
elevation: 312 ; meters

Make sure to leave a space before the semicolon at the end of the line! For example:
Good: latitude: 42.7961 ; +N in degrees
Bad: latitude: 42.7961; +N in degrees

Under the “[Upload]” section, change:

upload_enabled: false

To:

upload_enabled: true

Save the file by pressing File → Save.
All done!

= Making a detection mask =

If there is something in the field of view of the camera, e.g. a tree, a building, roof, etc., it may interfere with the detection. The way to fix this is to create a detection mask.

'''If you don’t have anything in your field of view, you don’t have to do anything!'''

{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ
|alignment=center
}}

Alternatively you may ask Denis to help you with the detection mask @ denis.vida@gmail.com.

= Calibration =

After the first clear night of operation, the system will image some stars. Let Denis know @ denis.vida@gmail.com that your station uploaded some good data to the server, and based on that we will generate an astrometric plate. The plate is basically a way of converting image coordinates to celestial coordinates, and you will need to put on your RPi once we send it to you. We will send you a platepar_cmn2010.cal file, just ask us for one!

Download the platepar_cmn2010.cal to your RPi.
Copy it into ~/source/RMS/
All done!
Your system will automatically calibrate the data it records every night, and this data will be used to estimate meteor trajectories and orbits on the server!

If you want to do the calibration yourself, you can do that yourself on your Raspberry Pi following this video - it is fun and you will try software called SkyFit2:

{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ
|alignment=center
}}

You are now done with this section and now you may proceed with the optional steps, please make sure to at least go through the optional steps. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing a camera into the position

2023-10-18T13:07:49Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! In this section, will read about options, hints and some requirements for installing your new camera into position, pointing it to the sky, and finalizing the cabling.

== Sealing the Housing ==
[[File:sealedhousing.jpg|thumb|right|Sealing the Housing]]
Depending on your climate, its usually advisable to seal up the camera housing against rain and snow.

From the outside, carefully go round the edge of the glass with silicone sealant. Also squirt sealant into any screw holes visible on the front of the camera housing, where it will be most exposed to rain.

But DONT seal up the hinged door because you will occasionally need to maintain the camera, and you don't want to have to prise it open with a chisel!

If there are any cable connections outside the casing, you should also seal these up thoroughhly. This writer can attest to the damage caused by water ingress into a PoE connector! Tape up or seal the connections tightly with some sort of waterproof product (I used electrical tape), but remember you may need to change the cable, so don't seal it irreversibly.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Mounting Outside ==
Mount the camera somewhere with a good view of the sky and without too many 'terrestrial' obstructions such as trees, hills and buildings. Take special care to angle well away from security lights. These lights emit infrared and without the IR Block filter, the IMX cameras are extremely sensitive to this.

When locating the camera, bear in mind that you will need to be able to get to the camera to maintain it. The cameras do not need to be high up as long as they have a good view of the sky. Mine are at eye-level on my observatory shed.

As before, don't worry if its not practical to eliminate all obstructions as you can mask off any that can't be avoided.

=== Aiming the Camera ===
[[file:cameraview.jpg|thumb|right|Aiming the Camera]]
The cameras have a field of about 40-45 degrees vertically and 90 degrees horizontally so angle the camera upwards at between 35-45 degrees, higher if you have lots of nearby hills or trees. This should maximise meteor detection.

If you can arrange so that the camera view overlaps with other RMS users, thats even better. Check with the network to get an idea of a good direction.

In this photo, the camera is aimed up at about 40 degrees, just above the top of the hill behind the camera location. The parts of the hill that are visible will be masked off in the software to avoid 'meteor-wrongs' due to dog-walkers with head torches!
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and you are about to finish the configuration of the Linux system and add your camera to the production stream on the server side. Almost there! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2023-10-18T13:07:28Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software or via RMS scripts. In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2023-10-18T13:06:57Z

RadimStano:

Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for Raspberry Pi 4B [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here] and save it on the PC somewhere.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Build the camera itself

2023-10-18T13:06:24Z

RadimStano:

Howdy! This is probably the most fun part, where you will put all the pieces together. Follow the order of steps. If you'll find something not particularly clear, let us know in the forums, so we may fix it.

= Assembly =
<s>[Note: there's a longer version of the camera assembly section of this page available on Google Docs. Please refer to [https://docs.google.com/document/d/18TT-Jm7z9kYskl5ua07jQWD91OiyBemBnOosiNdW6nY/edit?usp=sharing this] if you need more information.]</s>

<table><tr><td>
== Preparing the Lens ==
[[File:Irblock.jpg|thumb|right|single filter: punch out the filter]]
* Start by removing protective covers from the sensor and lens. Take care not to touch the sensor after this is removed.

* The cameras come with an IR Block filter in the lens holder. We don't want this.

'''Lens holder with single filter'''
* If you have a lens like the one shown in the first image, unscrew the lens from the holder.
* Then using a screwdriver, carefully push the filter out of the lens holder as shown in the image on the right. If you push from the front, the filter may come out intact.
* If it shatters, make sure there are no shards left.

'''Lens holder with electronic filter drawer'''
* Some lenses come an electronic day/night filter drawer. These have a small cable to plug into the camera board. Two different types of these filter holders are shown here.
[[File:lensholders2.jpg|thumb|right|Two sorts of lens holder with day/night filters]]

* DO NOT try to punch out the filter directly as this may jam the mechanism or leave shards of glass inside.
* If your holder is the type with a rectangular sliding drawer, remove the drawer by undoing the screw on the end. Then remove the while filter glass entirely.
[[File:slidedrawer.jpg|thumb|right|Sliding type: Remove the filter entirely]]

* If your holder is the other type, undo the three small screws on the top and take off the cover. Then remove the clear filter. You can leave the reddish daylight filter.
[[File:rotatingfilter.jpg|thumb|right|Rotating type: Remove just the clear filter]]

* Now reassemble the filter holder. Do not connect the power cable to the camera.

* Next look on the underside of the lens holder where you will see two plastic nubbins. These get in the way, so using the wire cutters snip them off. Make sure you get the base completely flat.

* Then screw the lens back into the lens holder.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Attaching the Lens to the Camera ==
[[File:lensattaching.jpg|thumb|right|Attaching the Lens]]

* Carefully unclip the circuit board from the plastic holder but do not detach the ribbon cable.

* Using the supplied screws, attach the lens to the sensor.

* Replace the circuit board in the plastic holder.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Preparing the Camera Housing ==
[[File:glands.jpg|thumb|right|Glands in Place]]
* Fit the small cable gland to the housing and pass the loose ends of the Camera PoE cable up through, but don't tighten it up yet. Remember to slip the cap over the cable first!

* Fit the large cable gland in the other opening, and push a piece of plastic packing foam into it. Don't seal it up completely though this is to keep insects from getting in, but allow moisture out.

* We do not recommend that you put the whole cable inside the housing, as the LEDs on it will create light pollution inside the housing.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>
== Attaching the Camera ==
[[File:camerafitted.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Mount]]

'''Note: I recommend installing the camera in the housing at this point so that you do not have to detach the cables or risk knocking focus later on. However, you can proceed to test focus etc before installing the camera in the housing if you wish.''' If you prefer to do that, skip this section for now and come back later. Otherwise:

* Connect the metal camera holder to the metal plate using one 6mm M3 screw. Note the orientation of the plate as shown in the photo.

* Using three 12 mm M2 screws, connect the camera board to the metal holder, passing the lens through the square hole from the back.

* Note that on some camera models, the writing on the camera board or image of a stick man must be UPSIDE DOWN to get the correct orientation of the camera. In this orientation, the sockets for power and networking will be at the bottom of the rear of the camera board. To be sure you have it the right way up, see advice in the section on Testing and Focusing.

* Finally, remove the plastic cap on the lens.
See image for the proper camera board orientation, so the video is not sideways or upside down.
</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the Camera in the Housing ==
[[File:camerainhousing.jpg|thumb|right|Camera In Housing]]

* Remove the plastic plate from inside the housing and discard it.

* Fit the camera on its metal plate into the housing, as close to the front glass as you can get it without actually touching. A few millimetres away should be good.

* Looking at the camera from the rear, attach the largest connector (often with blue/green wires) to the right hand socket.

* Attach the power connector to the left hand socket. This connector has several pins but only two are connected (red/black).

* The third connector (two pins, red/black) is for a powered lens and is not used so tape it back out of the way.

* Once you've secured the camera in position, you can tighten up the cable glands.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Installing the cooling housing to the Raspberry Pi 4 ==

Install 2 fans into the case, remove the foils from the pads, put the in place, and screw the case together. Then plug in the wires of the fans as per the below picture.
[[File:Raspi4_in_case_small.jpg|700px]]

</td></tr></table>

Perfect! Now you have the camera part ready. Let’s continue with flashing the RMS Linux image onto an SD card or a USB key. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Shopping list and tools needed

2023-10-18T13:05:52Z

RadimStano:

Howdy! This is the most important section (as all the preparation steps are), please have a look at the list of parts you will need, order the correct ones with the correct options and if you are not sure just ask in the forums. Once ordered, you may wish to have a look at the tools that are required and make sure you have them at your disposal.

= Parts and Tools needed =
[[File:01_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|Annotated Parts List]]

Click on the image to the right to see a larger version with the parts labelled

# IMX291 sensor board
# Lens with the lens holder - 4mm, 6mm are M16 mount as pictured, while other lenses might be CS which have a different holder
# 2x M2 screws, 6mm long - for mounting lens holder
# Camera housing
# Small cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Large cable gland (supplied with the housing)
# Camera Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable (sometimes called a network cable by the sellers)
# Camera board holder (supplied with the housing)
# Holder metal plate (supplied with the housing)
# 4x M2 screws, 12 mm long - for mounting camera module to bracket
# 1x M3-.50 screw, 6mm long - for mounting camera module L-bracket to base plate
# Metal plate screws (supplied with the housing)
# Transparent weatherproof silicone
# Housing mounting bracket (supplied with the housing)
# Waterproof ethernet cable protector
# PoE injector to supply 48v to the camera (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2GB (or at least a 3B+ with 2GB) with official power supply (not shown)
# Raspberry Pi housing (not shown)
# 128 GB or greater microSD card (not shown)
# Self-amalgamating tape (not shown)

= Purchasing Parts =
For consistency across the network and to make collaborative support possible, it is recommended that the camera and lenses listed below are used in preference to random handy bits that are cobbled together. The selected components are proven and known to work well. Other components can be sourced from any convenient seller.

Many components such as the Pi and microSD cards are are readily available in most locations. For other items such as lens, camera and housing, AliExpress - the Chinese equivalent of eBay - is the preferred online source as it serves most of the globe and has been reliably suppling parts to date.

NB: Links are given to current sellers, but stock levels vary and if the link is dead or the seller is out of stock, you should be able to find an equivalent from another seller on AliExpress.

== Sensor ==
The bare IP security camera featuring a Sony IMX291 has been selected for the RMS system. This is available from many sellers on AliExpress. Out of the options offered, choose "With 48V POE cable" and "No lens":
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002315913099.html IVG-HP203Y-AE]
Always buy a lens separately from the list in the following section.

== Lens ==
Most cameras available on Aliexpress come with a choice of lenses. The preferred lens is a 4mm f/0.95 M16 lens providing ~88x45° field of view, which can also be bought separately for example via this link.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32876034491.html 4mm f/0.95 M16]

If you live in an area with heavy light pollution, other options are available. We wholeheartedly recommend only using lenses from the following list, as others might not be as sensitive or might have large distortion. See [[Lens Options|this page]] for more lens options.

== Housing ==
A security camera housing is used, providing weather-tight protection without distortion introduced by plastic domes. From the options offered, select "Plate and Bracket" to get a plate for mounting a 38x38mm bare IP camera module, and an L-shaped mounting bracket.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32355130687.html IP66 CCTV Camera Housing with Plate and Bracket] This will also provide a pair of cable glands and some essential screws.

== Power Over Ethernet Injector ==
This connects by network cables to both the Raspberry Pi and the camera sensor, and injects 48V DC onto the network cable to the camera to supply it with power. Pick a suitable plug style for your location from the options offered. An example unit is:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002704227705.html PoE Injector 48V 0.5A]

Note that over short lengths of up to about 5m you can also use plain PoE connectors. These simply feed 12V from a power supply into the ethernet and extract it at the other end. Over short distances this will supply the camera with adequate power without the need for 48V injectors.

Finally, if you are operating several cameras, you can use a PoE switch instead of a PoE injector.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000812889681.html POE Switch 120W 48V 8-Port 10/100M IEEE802.3af + 2x100M Ethernet]

== Cooled Housing for Raspberry Pi ==
This is one of the rare cases that fulfills our needs. It has a fan which is relatively quiet, it’s sturdy, and it can fit the RTC with the addition of riser pins. '''Please buy this case''', we have tried many others, but they are not as good. From the options offered, make sure you select one that says "for Pi 4" if you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, or "for Pi 3B Plus" if you are using a Raspbery Pi 3B+. Additionally there is a case variation that is fully enclosed and has no fans; do not select this option.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32959825297.html Raspberry Pi Aluminium Enclosure with fans]

== Real Time Clock for Raspberry Pi ==
[[File:rtc.jpg|thumb|RTC installation|200px]]

Very precise timing is essential to processing the meteor data, so unless you are confident in your internet connection an RTC module ensures the Raspberry Pi always has the precise time, even when power or internet is unreliable. AliExpress sells a pack of 10 but they are inexpensive - maybe share the extras among other camera constructors in your area. The AliExpress store lists two RTC modules, one labelled "DS3231 module" and the other "mini DS3231 module." Select the "mini DS3231 module" option; it is designed for the Raspberry Pi. It has 5 pins and includes a battery.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32770348851.html DS3231 RTC]

Once you plug it into the Pi (see image on the right) and make sure the current time is correct on the Pi, open the terminal and run:

<pre>
sudo hwclock -w
</pre>

This will set the current computer time to the RTC. Every time the Pi boots up, it will read the correct time from the RTC.

== Pin Headers ==
Required to raise the height of the Raspberry GPIO bins to allow the RTC to sit proud of the Raspberry Pi case. You only need 1 but the pack of 20 is available for only a dollar or so.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32549850046.html Tall header pins]

== Network cabling ==
You will need two lengths of network cabling, one (probably quite short) between the Raspberry Pi and the PoE injector and the other between the PoE injector and the camera. You can purchase suitable lengths locally or on AliExpress. Some people have found the following thin flat network cable to be useful for sneaking the wire through a window or door to avoid drilling holes in walls or eaves, although it will require some extra attention to seal the cable at the camera's PoE connector:
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002311509668.html Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable]

== Waterproof Cable Connector ==
One end of the network cable will be outside, connected into the PoE cable from the camera. This is not only carrying data but 48V DC power and needs to be kept sealed. This waterproof connector is fitted over the end of the network cable connector then after the network cable is plugged into the camera's PoE cable, the connector is locked into the end of the PoE cable. For extra weatherproofing, wrap in self-amalgamating tape.
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834472563.html RJ45 Waterproof Connector Cap]

== 128GB Micro SD Card or 256GB USB flash disk ==

You may choose between an SD card and a USB flash disk, no need to have both.

You need at least a 64GB card but a 128GB is recommended as 20+ GB of data is collected every night. Make sure it is a fast card eg Class 10 UHS-1 or better. A card can either be purchased locally or [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32676225311.html from AliExpress]. Be warned that there is an [https://photographylife.com/fake-memory-cards ongoing problem with the production and sale of fraudulent memory cards misreporting the available storage] and even supplies from a reputable outlet can be affected - test the card you purchase. The AliExpress link has been used successfully to obtain suitable micro SD cards. If you live in North America, buy your SD cards at Costco.

If you want to go for a USB flash disk, this one is verified to work well [https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/datatraveler-kyson-high-performance-usb-flash-drive Kingston DataTraveler Kyson 256 GB]. We recommend you source it locally, for the reference the link to get it on [https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-Kyson-256GB-DTKN/dp/B08KHZY581 amazon.com]

== Raspberry Pi 4 ==
These are likely to be available to be purchased locally or from a domestic online source. You need at least a 2GB RAM model. The Raspberry Pi Model 4B is now the minimum spec. Previously, a Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ was considered the minimum but these do not have the performance or memory to handle busy meteor showers. Purchase the official 5.1V 3A 15.3W power supply to go with it - most problems with Raspberry Pi units are due to inadequate power supplies being used instead of purchasing the official power pack. Note: to connect a RPi 4B to a monitor you will also need a micro-HDMI cable, so that might be necessary to add to the shopping cart also.

== Additional items and tools ==
* Source suitable M2 and M3 screws. It might be possible to find these locally but in some places they are just odd enough to be quite hard to find. You could order some hardware from the [https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4714020?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000007.1.5fc666d9tN1f8i ScrewHome Store] on AliExpress. Each [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981714992.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.10.be65539dLjPgfh packet of 50 M2x6mm, M2x12mm, and M3x6mm] machine screws will cost only a few dollars.
* A tube of silicone sealant is used to seal the glass window for the housing and the front screws in the housing.
* Self-amalgamating tape can be used to wrap and seal the cable connector(s) to ensure they remain weathertight in all conditions.
* Tools such as small wire cutters or a sharp knife, various sized screwdrivers, a drill and screws to mount the camera bracket will be required.
* RJ45 crimper tool to finish the ethernet cable will be needed.

Some cameras come with a slightly different cable with a separate 12V socket for power input as shown [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/images/d/dc/Alternatecable.jpg here].
If the power input port has a small cap, then you can just cover it and use the PoE on the ethernet port. If it's open, then you will need a pair of PoE adapters (seen in that picture in the background).

To test and focus the camera you will need VLC. This software is preinstalled on the Pi but is also available for Mac, Windows or Linux from [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ here].

You are now done with this section or you are waiting for the parts. Anyway, you may proceed to have a look at the build of the camera itself or to start actually building it. Have fun! [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Build & Install & Setup your camera - The complete how-to

2023-10-18T13:05:28Z

RadimStano:

Howdy future GMN camera operator! You will find here all the information needed to build a camera, install the software, set up a camera and where to mount it and point it. For your convenience the how-to is divided into different sections, logically grouping the steps. Let’s have a look at the steps needed to get your camera built and in production.

<table><tr><td>
[[File:signpost_small.jpg|left|700px]]
</td>
<td>
* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]'''

* ''' [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]'''

* '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]'''
</td></tr></table>

<u>Let's have a look in detail at what to expect in each section now:</u>

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed Shopping list and tools needed]''' will help you prepare the shopping list of parts, give you some options and give you the list of tools you will need to continue. This is the most important section as all the preparations usually use to be and after ordering the parts it will give you time to check the other steps, if not already done. It will take around 1 month for the parts to be delivered (depending on your geographical location, time of year and some luck).

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_the_camera_itself Building the camera itself]''' will guide you step by step in building a camera itself.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_OS_onto_a_Raspberry_Pi Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi]''' will show you the easy way to get an Operating system, in our case customized Debian Linux onto your SD card or USB device.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Focusing_a_camera_and_the_first_tests Focusing a camera, and the first tests]''' will help you cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing and test the whole system.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Installing_a_camera_into_the_position Installing a camera into the position]''' will show you options, hints and some requirements for installing your new camera into position, pointing it to the sky, and finalizing the cabling.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_last_steps The last steps]''' will be the final section, which will lead to a successful putting camera into the production stream on the server side. You will need to provide some information to the GMN team, generate ssh keys, and wait for the clear night.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Optional_steps Optional steps]''' will provide you with some advanced and optional steps, like setting up the VPN or uploading your daily data to the istrastream servers, so you can have a quick look in the morning at your data easily.

'''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Announce_your_fancy_new_camera_to_the_community Announce your fancy new camera to the community]''' give you the possibility to get to know your fellow camera operators, and the GMN team and get more engaged in the GMN, a really friendly and helpful community, networking with people is important, isn’t it?

That’s it, '''GMN camera operator''', you did it! Congratulations. Now it is the time to have a look at what your camera can do, what you can do with your data or get involved in some of the projects, improvements, outreach or wiki updates or simply observe meteors captured by your camera in the morning! We are glad to have you on board.

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2023-10-16T19:36:30Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method */

'''WARNING: THIS IS A PAGE IN PROGRESS! DO NOT FOLLOW IT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE BUILDING OF A CAMERA FROM SCRATCH'''
Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software or via RMS scripts. In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can download [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 as a rar archive here] or [https://archive.ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/RMS_images/CMS.zip as a zip archive here]. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Focusing a camera and the first tests

2023-10-16T14:11:32Z

RadimStano: /* Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method */

'''WARNING: THIS IS A PAGE IN PROGRESS! DO NOT FOLLOW IT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE BUILDING OF A CAMERA FROM SCRATCH'''
Ahoj! In this section, cable the camera for the first time, do the preliminary focusing, configure your camera and optionally test the whole system.

= Testing and Focusing =
At this point, your camera must be tested and focused. There's no point sealing up the housing and screwing it to the wall if its not working or isn't focused !

== Testing the Camera ==
* If your camera came with a single PoE cable, connect this to a netork cable and plug the other end of the network cable into your PoE injector.

* if your camera came with a cable with separate network and power sockets, plug the "output" PoE adapter into the camera cable and plug a network cable into the PoE adapter, then connect the other end of the network cable into the other PoE adapter.
*. Connect the PoE adapter or injector into a spare socket on your home router and connect the camera power supply to it.

The Camera PoE cable lights should come on, indicating traffic is flowing. After a few seconds, it should steady down to irregular flashing. If you don't see flashing lights then check the cable connections to make sure everything is plugged in properly.

<table><tr><td>
=== Find its IP Address ===
[[File:ip-scan.jpg|thumb|right|Finding the Camera Address]]
The camera should now appear as a device on your network and to test it properly you will need to find its IP Address. The easiest way to do this is using a free piece of software called [[https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/|Advanced IP Scanner]]. Download and run it (no need to install). Click "Scan" and wait till it finishes. The camera can usually be identified by Manufacturer 'ICP Internet Communications' or 'Motion Control Systems', though other vendor names are possible such as 'Koenig & Bauer AG' and 'Metrohm AG'. If none of the names look right you may need to experiment by trying to connect to each candidate in turn.

=== Checking the Connection ===
[[File:vlcconfig.jpg|thumb|right|VLC Network Stream]]
* Once you have the IP Address, open VLC on your Pi, Mac or Windows machine, and from the "Media" menu, select "Open Network Stream".

* Enter the following into the address box, replacing '''1.2.3.4''' with the address you got in the previous step

<blockquote>rtsp://'''1.2.3.4''':554/user=admin&password=&channel=1&stream=0.sdp</blockquote>

* After a second or two, you should get a view through the camera. If nothing comes up, check you have got the right IP address, and that the cables are secure.

* You can now double-check that you installed the camera the right way up.
If the image is upside down in VLC, turn it through 180 degrees in the housing. do '''not''' be tempted to use firmware settings to flip or mirror the image. These cameras have a 'rolling' shutter and to work out precise timings of meteors, the RMS software compensates for the shutter movement. If the camera is upside down and the image then flipped, the shutter is working in the opposite direction to that expected by RMS and timings will be wrong. You '''must''' physically rotate the camera.

* Note that its entirely normal for the image to be very red and overexposed in daylight. We've removed the IR Block filter so the camera picks up a lot of red light. This is exactly what we want.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Checking for Obstructions of camera housing ==
[[File:vlcview.jpg|thumb|right|Obstructions]]

This is to make sure that the camera housing is not too visible in the camera's FoV.

* Temporarily close the housing case up and check if it can be seen obstructing the view anywhere.

* Check the live stream from the camera and if necessary bend or tilt the bracket to angle the camera down a bit (inside the camera housing).

* However, don't worry if you can't eliminate all obstructions. Later on you will create a software mask to prevent these areas causing false detections.

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Focusing the Camera ==

There's a whole separate section of the Wiki on [[Focusing_your_camera|focusing]], but here's the short version !!
* connect the camera to your network as above.
* Open VLC.
* Aim the camera at something at around 30-50 metres away.
* Screw the lens in and out slowly to get best focus.

You can usually do an initial focus with the camera assembled on a desk. Point it out a window during the hours of darkness and focus on a building at least 50m away.

You can do this using the RMS utility ShowLivestream instead of VLC, if you have already fully configured the camera and Pi as explained in the next step.

Note that there's a short lag due to the network, so you should wait a second or two after each adjustment to allow the change to be reflected in VLC.

Important note: if your camera came with an electronic filter, and you have left the 'daytime' filter in place you MUST finalise focus at night. The filters slightly alter focus.

</td></tr></table>

= [Optional] All system test =

* Hook RPi up to a monitor with an HDMI cable

* Plug a keyboard and mouse into USB ports on the RPi

* Connect one end of an ethernet cable into the ethernet port on the RPi and the other end into the ‘LAN’ port on the POE injector (See image below).

* Connect another ethernet cable into the ‘POE’ port on the injector and run to the camera cable connector (See image below). Before plugging into the camera, run the cable end through the ethernet connector cover.

* Plug the POE injector into a wall outlet.

* Plug the RPi power supply into the RPi and then into a wall outlet.

* The first thing you would need to do is to connect it to WiFi. In the upper right corner, click on the two arrows pointing up and down, choose your WiFi network and enter the password. You should now be connected to the Internet.

* Ignore (for now) the steps in the terminal window shown on the screen which will help you set everything up.

* The video stream can be checked by double-clicking on the RMS.ShowLiveStream icon on the desktop. When asked, click ‘Execute in terminal’. You should then see a live stream from the camera. To stop the live stream hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and press ‘c’ while the mouse is in the terminal window that popped up. Note that the stream will lag behind the real-view for a few seconds.

If the video stream opens and looks good, then you have successfully tested your system!

[[File:All_system_test.png]]

= Camera setup & configuration =
To operate at night, the camera must be reset to the correct gain, colour mode and video mode. There are two ways you can do this - doing it via the CMS software or via RMS scripts. In any case it is recommended to watch the below video.

== Camera setup & configuration - Youtube video method ==
<table><tr><td>
* CMS is a security camera software package you can [https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4fiqec6jpzwz3/CMS%20and%20Manual.rar?dl=0 download] from the internet. You can use the software as explained in the video by Denis Vida below.
* Note however that you should reset the network as the LAST thing you do. The video does it a bit soon.
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2sq1hBwcAA
|alignment=center
}}

</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>

== Camera setup & configuration - RMS Script method ==
[[File:Ping-camera.JPG|thumb|right|Making sure the Pi can see the Camera]]

'''Note that all RMS scripts MUST be run from the source/RMS folder as the Pi user. Don't be tempted to cd into a different folder! It won't work.'''

* If you have a Pi4, you can use a utility that's part of RMS, as follows:

* If you're not using the pre-built image, first install RMS on the Pi as explained [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#RMS_Software_Installation here].

* Now plug the camera into your router, open a Terminal window on the Pi and, using the address of your camera, make sure the Pi can ping the camera:
<pre>ping a.b.c.d</pre>
If you get any errors or timeouts, check the camera IP address, and check that the Pi is connected to your home network.

* Next open a terminal window and run this script to reset the camera IP address.
<pre> python -m Utils.SetCameraAddress a.b.c.d 192.168.42.10</pre>
* You will lose connection to the camera and see a bunch of error messages. Thats normal. Once you see a timeout message, unplug the power and network from the camera.

* Now plug the camera directly into the Pi's ethernet port, open a Terminal window and run the following script to update the camera gain, video mode, and other settings.
[[File:Setting-camer-params.JPG|thumb|right|Setting Camera Params]]
<pre>Scripts/RMS_SetCameraParams.sh</pre>

* Note: If you have RMS installed on your PC then you can change the camera address from your PC instead, then connect it to the Pi and run the 2nd script.
</td></tr></table>

You are now done with this section and now you are going to install your camera into the position. Drilling holes into the wall is fun, right? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Installing OS onto a Raspberry Pi

2023-09-13T21:45:20Z

RadimStano: /* [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch */

'''WARNING: THIS IS A PAGE IN PROGRESS! DO NOT FOLLOW IT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE BUILDING OF A CAMERA FROM SCRATCH'''
Ahoj! In this section, you will flash (or install if you wish) an OS Linux onto your SD card or USB flash key and boot your Raspberry Pi for the first time.

= Install OS by flashing the image =
== Flash image onto a microSD card/USB flash disk ==

''' The process is the same for an microSD card or a USB flash key, just the target will differ. '''

# Download the image for Raspberry Pi 4B [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/projects/sd_card_images/RMS_RPi4_image_20230804.img.xz here] and save it on the PC somewhere.
# Download the [https://www.balena.io/etcher/ BalenaEtcher], if you haven’t done it yet.
# Insert a microSD card or a USB flash disk into your PC, and note the letter it was assigned.
# Run BalenaEtcher, and flash the image file onto your microSD card/USB flash disk: Select Flash from file, find the image file and select it. As Target select your USB flash disk. Normally the system disks are hidden but verify the name, letter and size of your USB flash disk to be sure you have the correct target. Click Flash, once again verify the target and confirm it. Wait for the process to finish. (In case you will receive an error you may need to run BalenaEtcher as administrator)
# Eject the USB flash disk in Windows if necessary and then remove your microSD card/USB flash disk from your PC and insert it into your Raspberry Pi, which should be connected to a TV or Monitor, and have a keyboard and mouse connected. Power on a Raspberry Pi. Make sure that a microSD card is not inserted.
# Wait for the boot. If the boot takes too long to occur, please have a look at the next section. If it booted successfully, follow the on-screen instructions.

This is what the selection should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_selection.png|center]]

This is what the process should look like:
[[File:BalenaEtcher_process.png|center]]

== Pre-2021 Raspberry Pi 4 Bootloader update - an USB flash disk ONLY ==

If you encountered a problem booting Raspberry Pi 4 from a USB device (common for all USB devices, not only flash disks), the most probable reason is that your Raspberry Pi 4 is from an older batch and its bootloader has to be updated. The procedure is simple and you will need a blank small MicroSD card to continue, the data are around 1MB in size, so any small microSD card will do the job. The process is nicely described in [https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#updating-the-bootloader the raspberry pi official documentation].

* In case you are looking for more extensive USB booting guide click [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Booting_from_a_USB_device here]

* the pre-installed RMS software images incorporate an auto-updating feature, so that the RMS software is updated to the current release whenever your Raspberry Pi RMS is booted. This way, your station is always running the most recent set of updates.

== The first boot ==

This is how the first boot of RMS linux looks like:
[[File:The_first_boot_raspi.png|1500px|center]]

Now it is good time to send an email to denis.vida@gmail.com with short introduction, stating that you are building the camera, stating from which country you are and asking for the station code. You will need it later when setting up the RMS software once your camera is fully installed and positioned.

= [OPTIONAL] Install the software from scratch =
''' This is for users who wish to perform more advanced tasks, if you have gone for the previous section, do not continue with the sections below '''
'''Note: if you're setting up a Raspberry Pi you should use the prebuilt image as this comes with all necessary software installed and is ready to use.'''. If you really really '''really''' do want to install on the RPi from scratch, you can follow the instructions on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page].

You are now done with this section and now you are going to focus your camera and put all bits and pieces together for the first test. Exciting, isn't it? [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to Back to the signpost page.]

Main Page

2023-09-13T21:43:01Z

RadimStano: /* Meteor Detection Station */

Welcome to the Global Meteor Network's wiki page!

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) is a world wide organization of amateur and professional astronomers alike, whose goal is to observe the night sky using low-light video cameras and produce meteor trajectories in a coordinated manner. Here you will find information on the purpose and structure of the GMN, assembling and operating your own meteor camera, contributing to the development of RMS the GMN software, as well as information on how your observations as a citizen scientist can contribute to the further understanding of our solar system's formation and evolution.

'''<span style="color:red">If you have come here to find out how to build and setup a camera from scratch, jump ahead to [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this] section !</span>'''

== Global Meteor Network Overview ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=141 Our mission] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=363 A brief history of the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Video introduction - Overview of the Global Meteor Network (IMC2020)] ===

=== [https://youtu.be/oM7lfQ4nmyw Video overview - Meteor tracking and the GMN from Astro Imaging Channel presentation] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ Some 'live' GMN data products] ===

== Meteor Detection Station ==

=== What is an RMS GMN station? ===
: A RMS-based GMN station that is the subject of this Wiki consists of a Raspberry Pi (RPi) single board computer, a low light level security video camera, and the RMS software package. The camera is securely mounted in a weatherproof housing, pointed at the sky, and connected to the RPi with a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable. The RPi is connected to the Internet via WiFi, and to be a part of GMN network, you’ll need a fairly powerful Raspberry Pi (RPi 3B+, RPi 4 or better) and a reasonably fast Internet connection. The internet connection is primarily required to enable data upload to a central server each morning as well as provide automatic updates for the RMS software.

: Nightly, the RPi starts recording video from the camera shortly after local sunset continuously compressing and storing the video data locally. Each morning before sunrise, after capture is complete, the RPi analyzes the video and extracts your nightly station’s meteor observations. These extracted video “clips” of detected meteors are then archived and uploaded to a server. The clips can total hundreds of megabytes on a “busy” night (e.g., in a heavy meteor shower, or a night with a lot of false detections--progress is being made on the detection software). The server finds meteors which were observed with more than one station and this enables the server to triangulate the meteor trails in 3D and calculate the orbits of the meteors.

=== What do I need? ===

You'll need a Raspberry Pi with the software on, and a camera kit. We strongly recommend the Pi4 model. The software will run on a Pi3 but it is much slower and now also not maintained option. The Shopping list with everything you will need can be found on this [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Shopping_list_and_tools_needed page].

It is also possible to run multiple cameras on a Linux PC. More details [https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PSFi8RAqbenPdluhulCRaIenOkEzgs5piUhkX3yaOc/edit here].

=== How do I obtain a camera? ===
There are two options:

==== Buy a Camera ====
You can buy a camera and Pi prebuilt and ready to install. These are available from a couple of suppliers. The Croatian Meteor Network sell prebuilt cameras as explained on [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=136 this page]. Alternatively, if you're in the UK, you can obtain cameras from the [https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ UK Meteor Network]

==== Build your own from scratch ====
This requires some basic DIY skills and some familiarity with the Raspberry PI, but don't be put off. The instructions are comprehensive and if you get stuck, you can ask for advice in the [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork groups.io] forum.

Click on this link if you want to '''[https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to build a camera from scratch]'''.

=== Advanced RMS installations and Multi-camera support ===
If you would like to explore some advanced possibilities to install RMS software onto various platforms or to run multiple cameras on a single Linux computer, please have a look at [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_RMS_installations_and_Multi-camera_support this page]. In case you are planning to run RMS software on the Raspberry Pi 4, then please use the supported and easiest possibility by using the image we have prepared for you. More information is in [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Build_%26_Install_%26_Setup_your_camera_-_The_complete_how-to this extensive guide].

=== Can I use a commercial all-sky camera? ===

: Generally no due to the lack of sensitivity. [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=163 But see this recent experiment]

== Operating and maintaining your GMN station ==

=== Overview ===

: Please note that GMS is a nascent operation and you may share some growing pains if you choose to be involved -- we're still working out some bugs and making improvements here, which may be an opportunity to help if you have programming skills! ;-) So note that the workload of day-to-day operation can be non-zero, and might take a little bit of your time.

: Ideally, you'll want to monitor your RMS RPi system(s) daily to look for freezes or glitches or other problems... like birds nesting or soiling the camera window, people accidentally unplugging the power cord, mice (or cats or dogs!) chewing on the camera Ethernet cable, etc.

: Although we are getting close, this is not a "power up and forget about it" system yet.
: However, by its very nature, the GMS network is inhabited by a lot of people who are willing to help newcomers getting started. So, here are some clues for daily operation of your RMS camera.

=== So what does the meteor camera do over the course of 24 hours? ===

: The RMS Python based system calculates the sundown to sunrise interval and schedules video camera capture all night long. Depending on the video camera and capabilities of the RPi, the camera captures 25 or more frames per second between evening and morning twilight. During the continuous image capture, the station begins processing captured image data, doing a pre-screening to target frames with a suitable number of stars (usually around 20) that makes it worth looking for meteor detections. Once data capture has finished, the station switches into processing all the promising frames for detections, then refining the astrometric accuracy of every positive detection. Using the station platepar (plate parameters) calibration file, processing iterates to find the best astrometry and photometry solution for each detected meteor. Once this process has analyzed each detection, summary files are created.
: These summary files include text file data presentation in several widely accepted formats (CAMS and UFOorbit), as well as graphic plots of detection frequencies throughout the night, a set of thumbnail images of detections, a set of thumbnail images of data captured throughout the night, a single image with all detections stacked together, plots of photometry, astrometry, and camera pointing drift in arc minutes throughout the course of the night as the mount or building flexes, a flat file for correcting images, and a plot of all detections showing any identified radiants. Finally all results are combined into a single compressed archive, which is automatically uploaded each morning to the central server. Optionally, you can create a mp4 movie showing a time lapse of the night’s captured images.
: Each morning you can review the result files on the RPi, and copy anything you want to your computer or tablet.

===Archiving data ===

: Your primary scientific data is automatically uploaded to the central server every morning when data processing is done. However once it has done this, RMS will purge out the oldest data to free up space for the next night's run.

: So, you may want to copy some of the data to a PC, NAS or cloud for further analysis of your own. The data you should consider backing up are the contents of '''~/RMS_data/ArchivedFiles''', which holds the individual files and data that RMS determined were probably meteors. Full detail on how to nbare beyond the scope of the GMN Wiki, but tools such as robocopy (for Windows) and rsync(for Linux/MacOS) are ideal. These tools can 'mirror' data across a network. If you want help configuring these, ask in the Globalmeteornetwork group on groups.io.

: We've also built some automated tools that can help to back up any additional data to a thumb drive inserted into the RPi. Please ask in the group about these.

===Backup and restore configuration and RSA keys===

: Open a terminal and execute the command '''Scripts/RMS_Backup.sh'''. A compressed .zip file containing all important configuration files and keys will be created in user's home directory with the prefix RMS_Backup and .zip extension. Example: ''/home/pi/RMS_Backup_XX0001_2023-01-28.zip''.

: Copy the .zip file to a safe place outside RPi, it will be useful later to restore the system in case of failure. Note it contains the RSA public and private keys used to contact GMN servers, keep it secret.

: To restore the configuration, unzip the backup file in some folder on the RPi and copy the files '''.config''', '''platepar_cmn2010.cal''' and '''mask.bmp''' to the folder '''/home/pi/source/RMS/''', and the files '''id_rsa''' and '''id_rsa.pub'' to the folder ''/home/pi/.ssh/''' as in the following example:

:: cp .config platepar_cmn2010.cal mask.bmp /home/pi/source/RMS/
:: cp id_rsa id_rsa.pub /home/pi/.ssh/

: Make sure that RSA key files permission bits are correct by using the command:

:: chmod 400 ~/.ssh/id_rsa*

=== Viewing the data ===

: To view the data, you can use CMN_binViewer software[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer] which is already installed in the RMS SD image.
: There is also a Windows version[https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer/releases] you can install.

: '''Important note''' : You can also open the images in astronomical FITS viewers such as FITS Liberator or Pixinsight, though the results may be surprising. For example in FITS Liberator, the image will be '''upside down'''. This is an artefact of how the software reads the image. In space, there's no 'up' or 'down' and so the FITS specification does not dictate whether the pixel (0,0) is at the bottom left or top left, or indeed one of the other corners. Some software, notably FITS Liberator, treats the top left as the origin and so terrestrial images will be displayed mirrored vertically.

=== Tools and Utilities ===

* [https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/ RealVNC] or [https://anydesk.com/en AnyDesk] remote connect tool allows station access from anywhere. Access from outside your network is enabled by use of an OpenVPN connection address available to meteor stations. Alternatively, with VNC and Teamviewer, you can create an account and team on their websites, and then remotely access your station.
* Samba data directory access, allows you to copy data results directly from your RPi to your computer or tablet.
* [https://github.com/CroatianMeteorNetwork/cmn_binviewer CMN_binViewer] can be used to view standard fits image files containing meteor detections. It runs on the RPi, and is also available under Windows.
* [https://sonotaco.com/soft/e_index.html UFO Orbit] allows you to process data from multiple stations and generate unified radiants of two or more stations seeing the same meteor. It can plot the shared object ground path, orbital characteristics, and can output a summary file of all objects seen by more than one station, which can be used for further analysis.
* RMS software can be installed under Windows to allow much of the RMS python-based code to be executed on your computer, so it can be run against meteor station data you have transferred to your computer from the RPi.
* You can run RMS Python jobs on the RPi to sample the image files captured all night long and condense them into a mp4 movie. This creates a sometimes mesmerizing summary that can run for over 2 minutes in length for winter time data.

== What can I do with my GMN station? ==

=== Using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration + Manually reducing observations of fireballs and computing their trajectories: ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ Updated 2023 video tutorial]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjb3qxDlX4 Old 2021 video tutorial]

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=310 Generating a Google Earth KML file to show your station's field of view] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=253 Using UFO Orbit program to estimate meteor trajectories] ===

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?p=221 Urban meteor observing] ===

== Data analysis with SkyFit2 ==

SkyFit2 is a program within the RMS library which supports analyzing optical meteor data in most optical formats that are in use today, including videos in any popular video format (mp4, avi, mkv), a sequence of static images, or a single image with shutter breaks.

This [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3J9Jf0iLQ video tutorial] explains how to using SkyFit2 to perform astrometric and photometric calibration on GMN data and manually reduce observations of fireballs, including computing their trajectories.

A more general and detailed description of SkyFit2 is given at the '''[[SkyFit2|SkyFit2]]''' page.

== FAQ ==

=== What should I back up when re-flashing an SD card or a USB disk? ===

: The .config, platepar and mask files that are in the RMS source directory, plus the whole contents of the hidden directory /home/pi/.ssh.

If your SD card or a USB disk fails or becomes corrupted, the config files can be fetched from the server as they are uploaded every day together with the data. However the contents of .ssh are essential for connection to the server, so you must also save these. Once you set up a new SD card or a USB disk, return the files in their original location.

=== What are the values in FTPdetectinfo_* file designated as hnr mle bin Pix/fm Rho Phi? ===

: Some of these values are not used in RMS (hnr mle bin), but they are in CAMS, so they are here to conform to the standard. Thus they are all zeros. The others are:

: - Pix/fm - Average angular speed of the meteor in pixels per frame.

: - Rho, Phi - Parameters that define the line of the meteor in polar coordinates, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_transform#Theory here] for more details. Rho is the distance of the line from the centre of the image, and phi is the angle of the line as measured from the positive direction of the Y axis (basically a line going from the center of the image to the top of the image), the positive angles are measured clockwise (I think, the CAMS standard might define these parameters a bit differently, the Y axis is flipped).

: The intensity is the sum of all pixel intensities of the meteor on a given frame. Let's say I represent an area around the meteor on a given frame like this, where the numbers are pixel intensities on an 8-bit image (so they can range from 0 to 255):

: [[File:Intensity_sum.png |Intensity_sum.png ]]

: and the pixels values inside the red boundary represent the meteor blob on the frame, the intensity would be the sum of all numbers inside the red boundary.
: This value is later used to compute the magnitude. The magnitude is computed as: mag = -2.5*log10(intensity sum) + photometric_offset. The photometric offset is estimated in SkyFit by fitting the line with slope -2.5 through pairs of known magnitudes of stars and logartihms of their pixel intensity sum. The photometric offset is basically the intercept of that line. The constant slope of -2.5 comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude#Calculations definition of stellar magnitudes.]

== GMN data policy ==

The Global Meteor Network produces several levles of data products:
* Level 1 - The lowest level data (i.e. as close to "raw" as possible) are the FF image and FR video files saved to the RPi by the capture code and the fireball detector.
* Level 2 - The meteor detector uses these data to extract positional and brightness information of individual meteors (FTPdetectinfo file), and images are also used for astrometric and photometric calibration (platepar file). Meteor and star detections are used to generate a range of plots suchs as the single-station shower association graph, camera drift graph, etc. The calibrated meteors measurements get uploaded to the GMN server together with the raw images of individual meteors.
* Level 3 - The software on the server correlates individual observations and computes multi-station meteor trajectories which are published daily on the GMN [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/data/ data website]. This data is made public under the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0 license].

Operators of individual GMN stations exclusivery own the Level 1 and Level 2 data their stations produce. In practice, this means that they are free to share this data with other meteor networks if they wish to do so. The data that gets uploaded to the GMN server will not be shared publicly nor with other parties without the operator's consent, but may be used internally by the GMN coordinators to manually produce other data products (e.g. trajectory of a meteorite dropping fireball, analysis of a meteor shower). All station operators will be credited for their data in all GMN publications.

== IstraStream ==

=== [http://istrastream.com/rms-gmn/ IstraStream GMN status website] ===

: The IstraStream.com is an independent hosting site which primarily hosts data by cameras sold by IstraStream, but they also host several other stations. As for mid-2023 Istrastream stopped taking new cameras and is aimed to be completely replaced by the [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/weblog/ GMN weblog].

This document explains what every plot on the IstraStream weblog means:

=== [https://docs.google.com/document/d/132aHGn0QPzhpVN2s2n6FT6rJn39LAsPkchWJqXQb8Qk/edit?usp=sharing IstraStream Plots Explanation] ===

== For More Information ==

=== [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/?page_id=43 Contact the Global Meteor Network] ===

=== [https://groups.io/g/globalmeteornetwork Join the Global Meteor Network Forum] ===

=== [https://github.com/markmac99/ukmon-pitools/wiki UK Meteor Network Wiki]===
This wiki has numerous FAQs and tips on maintaining, monitoring and managing your system, and several explainers such as how to calibrate and create a mask, how to copy data and so forth.

=== GMN talks ===

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUyCHjMATc 2023 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78KwF5-1GE 2023 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2023)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdrG_FCyGk 2022 GMN Meeting Session 1 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_75CDPzjI4 2022 GMN Meeting Session 2 (February 2022)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6x9_WCVphY GMN talk at the European Space Agency's Fireball Workshop (June 2021)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXBTLPnPDWs 2021 GMN Meeting] - [https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ia9vagug5lxm8k9/AAB_i_1jcWThUdAHO_2gF_Ksa?dl=0 Link to slides]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAGq-XqD5Po Overview of the GMN - IMC2020 (September 2020)]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7lfQ4nmyw Overview of the GMN, Astro Imaging Channel presentation (May 2020)]

=== GMN-related publications ===

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11365 Vida, D., Blaauw Erskine, R. C., Brown, P. G., Kambulow, J., Campbell-Brown, M., & Mazur, M. J. (2022). Computing optical meteor flux using global meteor network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 515(2), 2322-2339.]

: [https://academic.oup.com/mnras/advance-article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stab2557/6368869 Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T., & Vida, D. (2021). Meteor shower radiant dispersions in Global Meteor Network data. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 508(1), 326-339.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.12335 Vida, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P. S., Brown, P. G., McIntyre, M. J., Dijkema, T. J., Pavletić, L., Kukić, P., Mazur, M.J., Eschman, P., Roggemans, P., Merlak, A., & Zubović, D. (2021). The Global Meteor Network–Methodology and first results. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 506(4), 5046-5074.]

: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05458/ Moorhead, A. V., Clements, T. D., & Vida, D. (2020). Realistic gravitational focusing of meteoroid streams. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 494(2), 2982-2994.]

: [https://globalmeteornetwork.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kukic-et-al-2018-Rolling-shutter.pdf Kukić, P., Gural, P., Vida, D., Šegon, D. & Merlak, A. (2018) Correction for meteor centroids observed using rolling shutter cameras. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46:5, 154-118.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_sun_skirter_final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Kukić, P., & Merlak, A. (2018). Compressive strength of a skirting Daytime Arietid-first science results from low-cost Raspberry Pi-based meteor stations. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 113-118.]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.02979.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - I. Theory. arXiv:1911.02979v4 [astro-ph.EP] 21 Apr 2020]

: [https://arxiv.org/pdf/1911.11734.pdf Vida, D., Gural, P., Brown, P., Campbell-Brown, M., Wiegert, P. (2019) Estimating trajectories of meteors: an observational Monte Carlo approach - II. Results. arXiv:1911.11734v1 [astro-ph.EP] 26 Novr 2019]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018_WGN___RMS_first_results-final.pdf Vida, D., Mazur, M. J., Šegon, D., Zubović, D., Kukić, P., Parag, F., & Macan, A. (2018). First results of a Raspberry Pi based meteor camera system. WGN, Journal of the International Meteor Organization, 46, 71-78.]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vida_IMC2016_proceedings_final.pdf Vida, D., Zubović, D., Šegon, D., Gural, P., & Cupec, R. (2016). Open-source meteor detection software for low-cost single-board computers. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference (IMC2016), Egmond, The Netherlands (pp. 2-5).]

: [https://gmn.duckdns.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Zubovic_IMC2015_priceedings_final.pdf Zubović, D., Vida, D., Gural, P., & Šegon, D. (2015). Advances in the development of a low-cost video meteor station. In Proceedings of the International Meteor Conference, Mistelbach, Austria (pp. 27-30).]