SQM Zenit
A permanent outdoor sky-monitoring platform combining photometric SQM measurement with RGB/NIR analysis, solar charging and extended wireless connectivity.
SQM Zenit Technical Overview
| Sky brightness measurement | Photometric night-sky brightness |
| Measurement unit | mag/arcsec² |
| Spectral monitoring | Multi-channel visible and near-infrared sky monitoring |
| Color channels | Red / Green / Blue |
| Near-infrared | NIR measurement |
| Exposure control | Adaptive day / night exposure with saturation protection |
| Environmental monitoring | Temperature and relative humidity |
| Positioning | Integrated multi-satellite GNSS |
| Position data | Latitude / longitude / altitude |
| Position processing | Quality monitoring, multi-sample averaging and position stabilization |
| Altitude processing | Filtered altitude with outlier rejection and site stabilization |
| Time synchronization | GNSS UTC + network time synchronization (NTP) |
| Location fallback | Internet-based approximate location fallback |
| Astronomy calculations | Automatic sunrise / sunset and solar-position calculations |
| Connectivity | Integrated Wi-Fi with external antenna |
| Wireless access | Standalone access point + network connection |
| Interface | Wireless CELESTRA web dashboard |
| Observatory integration | Network-based ASCOM Alpaca / N.I.N.A. integration |
| Data collection | All-day or sun-schedule logging |
| Data export | CSV |
| Firmware | Wireless firmware update |
| Wired data connection | Not required |
| Power | Integrated rechargeable battery |
| Charging | Integrated solar charging |
| Recommended use | Autonomous remote and permanent observatory monitoring |
Specifications describe CELESTRA instrument-level capabilities; internal component and sensor model numbers are intentionally not published.
A clear view of the night.
Explore the SQM Pro dashboard in an illustrative nighttime session, with sky-brightness readings, observing context and device information in one view.
Designed Around Wireless Operation
Wireless by Design
Wi-Fi communication across the SQM family. No wired data connection is required.
Web Interface
Access measurements, status and recorded data wirelessly through the CELESTRA web interface.
Autonomous Outdoor Operation
Integrated battery, solar charging and an external Wi-Fi antenna support continuous permanent installations.
Choose the Right SQM for Your Application
From portable photometric surveys to autonomous observatory monitoring, the CELESTRA SQM family provides a wireless platform for quantitative sky-quality measurement.
| Capability | SQM Lite | SQM Pro | SQM Zenit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky brightness | Photometric | Photometric | Photometric |
| Measurement unit | mag/arcsec² | mag/arcsec² | mag/arcsec² |
| RGB / NIR monitoring | — | — | Yes |
| Temperature / humidity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Position source | Phone / network | Integrated GNSS | Integrated GNSS |
| Integrated display | — | Color touch display | — |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External Wi-Fi antenna | — | — | Yes |
| Web dashboard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Battery | Internal rechargeable battery | Internal rechargeable battery |
| Solar charging | — | — | Integrated |
| Primary application | Portable / field | Professional / observatory | Remote / permanent observatory |
SQM Zenit — interpreting your measurements
Measurement validation: CELESTRA SQM instruments are tested through comparison with Unihedron instruments. This comparison does not imply Unihedron certification or identical performance specifications. Model-specific accuracy and calibration conditions must be supported by the corresponding test record.
For a fixed installation, document the mounting direction, power and wireless coverage. Plan maintenance and check measurement context over time.
Sky brightness in context
The listed mag/arcsec² unit describes surface brightness. Higher values indicate a fainter sky. Record moonlight, clouds and nearby lighting when comparing readings.
Sky brightness in context →Recorded data
The supplied product table describes supported logging and export options. Confirm column units and clock synchronization before combining datasets.
Recorded data →Model-specific guidance
Request the measurement procedure, calibration guidance and operating limits for this exact SQM model.
Model-specific guidance →How to read the technical specifications
- Sky brightness measurement
- Photometric night-sky brightness
Record time, observing direction and sky conditions with brightness readings. Moonlight, clouds and nearby lights can affect the measurement. - Measurement unit
- mag/arcsec²
Magnitude per square arcsecond describes sky surface brightness. Higher values indicate a fainter sky; record observing conditions for comparisons. - Exposure control
- Adaptive day / night exposure with saturation protection
The listed maximum is an acquisition limit, not a recommended exposure for every target. Sky brightness, saturation and tracking also constrain exposure. - Environmental monitoring
- Temperature and relative humidity
Temperature and relative humidity provide context for the observation. Confirm the supported ranges and accuracy in model documentation. - Positioning
- Integrated multi-satellite GNSS
Location information ties measurements to the observing site. Position accuracy depends on the source and conditions; retain source and quality information. - Altitude processing
- Filtered altitude with outlier rejection and site stabilization
Filtered altitude can reduce short-term variation, but should not be treated as a surveyed elevation without an independent reference. - Time synchronization
- GNSS UTC + network time synchronization (NTP)
Consistent UTC timestamps help align records. Confirm synchronization status when comparing instruments or monitoring long sessions. - Astronomy calculations
- Automatic sunrise / sunset and solar-position calculations
Solar calculations support scheduled operation. Confirm the location and clock settings before relying on a schedule. - Connectivity
- Integrated Wi-Fi with external antenna
Check the operating network mode and local Wi-Fi coverage. Wireless capability does not imply a supplied public cloud service. - Wireless access
- Standalone access point + network connection
Use the supported access point or local network procedure for the model. Confirm connection recovery behaviour during commissioning. - Interface
- Wireless CELESTRA web dashboard
Access the instrument through its supported Wi-Fi web dashboard. The Pro model also provides a local touch display. Confirm model and firmware-specific controls. - Observatory integration
- Network-based ASCOM Alpaca / N.I.N.A. integration
Confirm the supported software versions and device-specific setup. Compatibility should be tested with the intended observing workflow. - Data collection
- All-day or sun-schedule logging
Choose a recording schedule suited to the study and retain time, site and configuration information with the data. - Data export
- CSV
CSV data can be analysed with common tools. Confirm column meanings, units and timestamp format before combining records. - Firmware
- Wireless firmware update
Use a verified update matched to the exact model and follow the supplied recovery and power instructions. - Power
- Integrated rechargeable battery
Use the battery and charging method documented for this model. Confirm charging requirements and expected runtime for the intended logging schedule; no external voltage rating is inferred here. - Recommended use
- Autonomous remote and permanent observatory monitoring
Select the model around the operating location, access needs and documented capabilities; confirm project-specific requirements before purchase.
Documentation & compatibility
For SQM Zenit, include the intended configuration and application when requesting documentation, compatibility, current availability and lead time.
SQM Zenit questions
What is the measurement unit specification for SQM Zenit?
mag/arcsec²
What is the connectivity specification for SQM Zenit?
Integrated Wi-Fi with external antenna
What is the power specification for SQM Zenit?
Integrated rechargeable battery
Content reviewed .