Distributed Optical Imaging of the Upper Atmosphere

Optical imaging of sub-visual emissions is an invaluable tool to study the upper atmosphere. A distributed network of all-sky imagers, preferably with overlapping coverage, can monitor and feed real-time data to forecast space weather and tropospheric phenomena. Establishing these networks has been limited by cost and deployment logistics. Traditional research grade low-light level imagers were often custom built, bulky, and required expensive components to meet their sensitivity and scientific requirements. An innovative all-sky imager designed for production and exploiting modern advances in sensor and computer technologies should significantly make it affordable while retaining sub-visual sensitivity and simultaneous imaging at multiple wavelengths necessary for scientific applications. A functional prototype will be built with no moving parts and use COTS based embedded computing components designed for reliability, low power, and ruggedized field operation. GPS and environmental sensors will monitor instrument health and position. Open source platform-independent software will be utilized for both stand alone and remote network modes of operation. Live automated all-sky images and instrument status are to be displayed over the network to any web browser, demonstrating a low-cost solution to support a distributed network of imagers are both logistically and economically viable.