Stunning Star Time Lapse Videos with a Raspberry Pi Camera and AllSky

Published at : 23 Dec 2025

In this YouTube video, I share my journey in creating a mesmerizing Raspberry Pi sky time-lapse project inspired by an article on IEEE Spectrum. Using the Raspberry Pi HQ camera and the open-source program AllSky, I document the process from hardware setup to 3D printing a custom housing. Despite encountering a challenge with the OS update, the active contributor community and my decision to revert to an older Pi OS ensured success. The video covers the configuration of AllSky, the 3D printing of the housing, and the assembly of the components. I address design decisions, such as incorporating a fan to prevent fogging and securing a watertight bulkhead connector for power supply. The installation is showcased on a structure previously built for a weather station, providing an unobstructed view of the sky. I highlight the stunning nighttime and daytime time-lapse videos uploaded to my NAS, showcasing the beauty of stars, clouds, and even planes in the landing approach zone. The video concludes with my overall satisfaction and the daily joy of watching the captivating time-lapse videos.

Post: https://johnjonesfour.com/2023/12/01/nighttime-time-lapse-photography-with-allsky/

BOM:
Raspberry Pi 4B: https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-2019-Quad-Bluetooth/dp/B07TC2BK1X?crid=1I2KVJLLDCX5P&keywords=raspberry%2Bpi%2B4&qid=1700336139&sprefix=raspberry%2Bpi%2B4%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=85369d61e45e2c278208c23ccd6ebb4f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Raspberry Pi HQ Camera: https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Camera-Sensitivity-Alternative/dp/B08LHJR3K4?crid=3E19FY02EBBZN&keywords=raspberry+pi+hq+camera&qid=1700336184&sprefix=raspberry+pi+hq+camera%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=e68282119d1937ce32a7e4f4de3952d5&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Arducam 120 Degree Ultra Wide Angle CS Lens: https://www.amazon.com/Arducam-Degree-Raspberry-Camera-Length/dp/B08GLYR572?crid=3ITINDTJJPPWU&keywords=raspberry+pi+hq+camera+lens&qid=1700336216&sprefix=raspberry+pi+hq+camera%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=887826dafd2aab1fe40e0e6cf1886b47&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 Fan: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C9C99RM?psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=147838afaa5e9a640330773c08a94ad1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Clear Acrylic Flange Plastic Hemisphere: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L6FBMXF?psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=13600afa308dfff3925697d59c515307&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Panel Mount 13mm Waterproof Power Connector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C4KQLPD?psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=recommmendsby-20&linkId=fac819b8f2d9d000e5c69315622d63c7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
3 in. x 2 ft. PVC DWV Sch. 40 Pipe: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-3-in-x-2-ft-PVC-DWV-Sch-40-Pipe-PVC073000200HA/100533056


Music Credits:

Adrift Among Infinite Stars by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Future by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/