Deep Sky Chile Observing Conditions Driver

Overview

[cite_start]The **Deep Sky Chile Observing Conditions** driver is an ASCOM-compliant driver that exposes weather and seeing data from the Deep Sky Chile site <ref>[cite: 1]</ref>. [cite_start]It retrieves real-time meteorological data from the Deep Sky Chile API and maps it to standard ASCOM ObservingConditions properties <ref>[cite: 2]</ref>. [cite_start]This driver is intended for remote observatory automation systems (like N.I.N.A., Voyager, SGP) to monitor environmental conditions <ref>[cite: 3]</ref>.

Property	Value
Version	[cite_start]1.0.0 <ref>[cite: 1]</ref>
Author	[cite_start]Cédric Thomas <ref>[cite: 1]</ref>

Supported Sensors

[cite_start]The driver supports the following sensors <ref>[cite: 3]</ref>:

Temperature, Humidity, Dew Point
Wind Speed & Wind Gust
Seeing (StarFWHM)
Sky Quality (NSB)
Sky Temperature
Cloud Cover & Rain Rate

How it works

[cite_start]The driver periodically queries the API (default: http://api.deepskychile.com/weather) <ref>[cite: 4]</ref>.

[Image of API data flow diagram]

[cite_start]It performs the following logic <ref>[cite: 5]</ref>:

Retrieves the JSON data via HTTP (TLS 1.2 secured).
Extracts sensor values (Temp, Hum, Seeing, etc.).
Converts cloud/rain status into percentage/rate.
Supports stale data protection (configurable multiplier).
Provides detailed trace logging.

Configuration

[cite_start]Configuration is handled via the driver’s Setup dialog from any ASCOM application <ref>[cite: 5]</ref>.

Settings

[cite_start]You may configure the following parameters <ref>[cite: 6]</ref>:

API URL Endpoint
Polling interval (seconds)
Stale data multiplier
Trace logging (Enable/Disable)

Logging

[cite_start]Trace logs are stored in <ref>[cite: 6]</ref>:

Documents\ASCOM\Logs

Installation and Uninstallation

Installation

[cite_start]Run the installer to copy driver files, register the COM driver, and add ASCOM profile entries <ref>[cite: 7]</ref>.

Uninstallation

Use Windows Add/Remove Programs. [cite_start]The uninstaller removes all files and registry entries <ref>[cite: 8]</ref>.

Disclaimer

This driver relies entirely on the Deep Sky Chile API. [cite_start]Always use redundant safety systems in remote observatory operations <ref>[cite: 9]</ref>.

Support

[cite_start]For help, contact Cédric Thomas at [email protected] <ref>[cite: 8]</ref>.

References