Hello,
So I would like to leave my imaging rig running over night, but I would also like to get some sleep :-) - so I was thinking what my options are .... (I am on a pier but not in an Obsy).
The way I see it is this. I did build a DIY rain sensor, and it does work, but there need to be enough initial rain to create the circuit and sound the alarm. This sounds too late to me, as a fair bit of rain had fallen before the alarm when off. So now I am thinking of cloud clover (no rain without a cloud right ?) - so would the USB version of this do http://www.modernastronomy.com/shop/accessories/cloud-sensors-accessories/cloud-sensors/ . Perhaps, but the USB version I think is mainly used for 'assessing' conditions, whereas the Deluxe version will give a screen\email warning).
There is one further option from the control software I use (Sequence Generator Pro) - and that is to send an alert if the guide star is lost. But I am wondering if again that would be sufficient warning of rain ?
So how do the automated Observatories work ? - I am sure they must close up before the rain starts. Email is great, but SMS I think would be better as an alert, but I would need to look in to that, as I don't think gmail for example will let you send SMS messages (as there is a cost involved).
Thanks
Alistair.