News:
Squeezebox Server 7.4 (and later) version now available!
Astronomy Information Plugin for Slimdevices Squeezebox
Click on the version number to download that version. The version numbers in bold are the currently supported versions of the plugin.
| Version | Date | Notes about version |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | Dec. 20, 2009 |
SC7.4 compatible version of the plugin.
Compatible with Squeezebox Server 7.4 (and later releases). This version is functionally equivalent to V2.1. Can be installed via Slimbox Server web interface. Enter http://www.jesslex.com/slim/astro_repo.xml in the "Additional Repositories" box on the Settings->Plugins page of the Squeezebox Server web interface and go from there. |
| 2.1 | Aug. 17, 2008 |
Official SC7 version of the plugin.
Compatible with SqueezeCenter 7.1 through 7.3.3. This version is functionally equivalent to V2.0a. |
| 2.0a | Dec. 27, 2007 |
SC7.0 compatible version of the plugin.
Compatible with SqueezeCenter 7.0. It does not work with SC7.1 or later. However, note, this version and version 2.1 are functionally identical. |
| Versions before 2.0 are NOT SqueezeCenter 7+ compatible. And, Versions 2.0 and later are not SlimServer 6.x compatible. | ||
| 1.6 | Dec. 26, 2007 | Fixes bug with how the Heavens-Above data is parsed. This bug resulted in incorrect data being displayed for Iridium flares, ISS passes and moon data. |
| 1.5 | May 14, 2007 | Changes the way Clear Sky Clock information is displayed. It used to provide the results as an average over an entire 7PM-3AM window. Now, it displays the data in 3 hour blocks: 7PM-10PM, 10PM-1AM, 1AM-4AM (actually 3:59AM). Also, fixes a minor bug in the display for some Irridium flares where some garbage text was being shown. |
| 1.4 | March 12, 2007 | Fixes minor bug in how Heavens-Above URL is parsed for latitude and longitude which would result in incorrect IRR, ISS and Moon data in certain (rare?) circumstances. |
| 1.3 | Feb. 6, 2007 | Fixes some problems with displaying moon rise and set times. |
| 1.2 | Jan. 12, 2007 | Adds International Space Station (ISS) passes for the upcoming evening. |
| 1.1 | Feb. 25, 2006 |
|
| 1.0 | Feb. 11, 2006 | Initial version. |
Extract the Plugin.pm file into "server/Plugins/" under SlimServer or SqueezeCenter directory as applicable. Restart the server, and open up the server's web interface. Make sure the AstroInfo plugin is selected on the Server Settings->Plugins page and the data populated and you should be good to go.
Any comments, questions or problems, please send to user, Mitch G at the Slim Devices forums, forums.slimdevices.com or email me at "astroinfo at jesslex.com".
What Is This?
First of all, you should be familiar with the SqueezeBox from www.slimdevices.com. If not, go check out their website. And, you should be familiar with Clear Sky Clocks and Heavens-Above. If not, see the later sections describing these sites.The AstroInfo plugin fetches information from two websites of particular interest to amateur (and professional) astronomers. One site shows "clear sky clocks" for different sites around North America. The other site is used to get moon data and Iridium flare information.
User Interface
Web Interface
The user needs to provde two types of data to the plugin's web interface (found in the SlimServer web interface under Server Settings->Plugins). The first type of data are URLs for clear sky clocks the user wants displayed. The user can specify any number of clear sky clocks. The idea in providing this data is so that as you're sitting there on the couch watching Seinfeld reruns you can check out the clear sky clocks for where you observe and then decide whether or not it's worth setting up the scope or packing up the car, as the case may be.The second type of data is the URL used to access the Heavens-Above website. Only one Heavens-Above URL is supported. The idea is to use your home location URL so while you're sitting there on the couch being too lazy to set up your scope, you can check if there is a flare scheduled soon. If there is one coming, maybe you can get off your lazy butt for a few seconds at least.
SqueezeBox Interface
To see the information on the SqueezeBox, the user simply navigates to the Plugins menu and then selects the AstroInfo plugin. From there, the user is presented a main menu consisting of options for Clear Sky Clocks, Moon Data, and Iridium Flares. Pressing the right arrow will select the currently display submenu.If the Clear Sky Clocks menu is selected, the user can then use the up/down arrow to scroll through the different clocks s/he entered on the web interface. Pressing the right arrow will select the given clock.
Additional Information
Clear Sky Clocks
An example of a clear sky clock is here: NAA Clear Sky Clock.Among other things, clear sky clocks use data to predict critical weather phenomenon that astronomers care about: cloud cover, transparency and seeing. The value of knowing the cloud cover forecast is obvious - telescopes can't see through clouds. Transparency represents how clear the air is. And seeing represents how steady the air is.
The AstroInfo plugin displays reports for any number of clear sky clocks the user specifies in the web user interface. The plugin only reports on the upcoming night. So, if you run it after midnight, it will show data for the next evening. The data is displayed in 3 hour bocks: 7PM-10PM, 10PM-1AM, and 1AM-4AM. The report averages the data for each period and translates that to a statement of conditions. This statement is based on the descriptions given at the clear sky clock webiste (Click on the picture above for an example). For example, cloud cover may be reported as averaging 10% clouds over the given period. Or, transparency reported as "Fair" or, if you're lucky, "Excellent."
Moon Data
The moon data simply indicates what percentage full the moon is and when it will be setting next. This tells the amateur astronomer if Mother Nature's light polluter, the moon, will be interfering with observing that evening.Iridium Flares
Iridium flares are caused by the sun bouncing off satellites launched for the Iridium satellite phone system. They can be very bright - throwing shadows on the ground and are neat to see. The AstroInfo plugin will list any Iridium flares predicted for the next 24 hours. This data is based on your longitude, latitude and timezone. To make life easy, the user simply goes to www.heavens-above.com, finds a location that works for them, and then copy/pastes the URL to the web interface for the plugin. The plugin will then use that information to find flares for the next 24 hours when invoked.International Space Station Passes
Occasionally the International Space Station (ISS) passes over one's location and can be seen as a swift moving light overhead. They're fun to see and think about the astronauts up there (be sure to wave). The display uses the same information provided for the Iridium flares. So, no additional data needs to be configured on the slimserver web interface.
Radio Paradise
I thought I would add a plug (not a plugin) for Radio Paradise. Radio Paradise is a listener supported internet radio station. They play a great variety of music and is really worth a listen.They even have a nice 192kbps stream that sounds great on the SqueezeBox. So check them out - it's free.