The dome at the upper end of a all sky camera include protecting the lens, collecting light, and preventing stray light from entering. This dome is usually made of optical glass and can be customized with features such as hardened coating, AR (anti-reflective) coating, and waterproof coating as needed.
The upper dome of the sky imager protects the equipment from rain and dust, ensuring image quality and stable operation, and providing accurate meteorological observation data.
The function of the upper dome of the sky imager is to protect the imager from the external environment and ensure the image quality. The sky imager is a kind of equipment that can record the sky condition under all-weather conditions. it works in outdoor environment by means of high-precision automatic sun tracking system and rainproof monitoring device. it collects visible color images 24 hours a day and generates animated videos. These images and videos are of great importance for meteorological observation, cloud cover analysis and visibility estimation.
In order to ensure the imaging quality and long-term stable operation of the equipment, sky imager adopts an environmental seal design, to prevent external environmental factors such as rain, dust and so on from causing damage to the equipment. The upper dome, as part of the equipment, plays a key protective role. it not only prevents direct incoming sunlight from damaging the imager. It also protects the interior imaging equipment from damage in inclement weather conditions.
In addition, the design of dome also helps to reduce the influence of external environment on the equipment, to ensure that the equipment can work stably in various environments, to provide accurate observation data.
| Structure | Hemisphere/hyper-hemisphere |
| Material | Fused silica/Borosilicate/BK7/H-K9L |
| Diameter | Ø60mm-Ø230mm |
| Diameter tolerance | ±0.1mm |
| Thickness tolerance | +0.0mm/-0.1mm |
| Surface quality | 20/10 |
| Surface accuracy | 10 (3) |
| Coating | AR Coating and waterproof coating |
| Type No. | Out diameter | Height | Wall thickness |
| (mm) | (mm) | (mm) | |
| DW-60 | 60 | 30 | 5 |
| DW-70-A | 70 | 35 | 5 |
| DW-70-B | 70 | 35 | 8 |
| DW-75 | 75 | 37.5 | 3 |
| DW-76 | 76 | 38 | 6 |
| DW-80 | 80 | 40 | 4 |
| DW-100-A | 100 | 50 | 2 |
| DW-100-B | 100 | 50 | 4 |
| DW-100-C | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| DW-127 | 127 | 50.8 | 4 |
| DW-136 | 136 | 60 | 4 |
| DW-140-A | 140 | 70 | 4 |
| DW-140-B | 140 | 70 | 12 |
| DW-170 | 170 | 56 | 6.5 |
| DW-180 | 180 | 60 | 7.5 |
| DW-184 | 184 | 61 | 7 |
| DW-190 | 190 | 95 | 5 |
| DW-203 | 203 | 80 | 4 |
| DW-212 | 212 | 106 | 6 |
| DW-230 | 229.6 | 87.4 | 8 |
The application of optical domes in all-sky cameras
Protecting the Camera Lens:
The optical dome acts as an external protective layer for the camera, effectively preventing dust, moisture, and other external factors from damaging the camera lens, ensuring that the camera can operate normally even in harsh environments.
Improving Image Quality:
By using an optical dome, external light scattering and reflection can be reduced, thereby improving the camera’s image quality. The design of the dome can minimize the impact of stray light, making the captured images clearer and more accurate.
Adapting to Extreme Environments:
All-sky cameras often need to operate in various extreme environments, such as high temperatures, low temperatures, and strong winds. The design of the optical dome needs to take these factors into account to ensure that the camera can work stably in extreme conditions.
Reducing Weight and Enhancing Portability:
Although the optical dome provides protection and stability, its design is usually lightweight, not adding significant weight to the overall camera, making it convenient for fieldwork and long-term observation.
Ease of Installation and Maintenance: The design of the optical dome is usually simple and easy to install, as well as convenient for maintenance and replacement, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the camera.
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