NIGHTSCAPE CCD Camera Model #95555
Congratulations on your purchase of Celestron’s Nightscape CCD imaging camera. Nightscape combines the simplicity of a one-shot-color imaging camera with the sophisticated features and software of more expensive astronomical imaging systems. This setup guide will help you install and use your camera as well as the AstroFX control software. Once AstroFX is installed, review the included Help file for complete information for using all settings needed to control the camera and process your images. www.
Nightscape camera comes with the following: + Nightscape CCD Camera + AstroFX Control Software CD + USB Cable + 12V DC Power Cable three speed fan aux Port usb ports (to connect to computer) 12 V power input Figure 1 www.celestron.
Recommended Minimum System requirements: + Processor – Pentium™ or equivalent, or higher + Windows XP™, Windows Vista™, or Windows 7™ (or higher), 32-bit or 64-bit + 1 GB RAM + Disk Space – 20 MB for program installation + Video Display – minimum 1024x768, 16-bit color or higher www.celestron.
Installing AstroFX Software Before connecting Nightscape to your computer, install AstroFX software onto your Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 computer. 1. Place the AstroFX CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The following screen should automatically appear on your computer (Figure 2a). Figure 2a Note: for some operating systems, the AutoPlay dialog box may appear first on your screen (Figure 2b). Press the Run Launcher button to bring up the main launch screen. Figure 2b www.celestron.
Note: If the launch screen does not automatically appear when the CD is inserted into your computer, you can either: Select the “Launcher.exe” file from the AstroFX CD, or Right-click on the CD-Rom icon and select “Install or Run Program” 2. Press the Install AstroFX button to begin installation. 3. Follow the InstallShield Wizard to complete installation. For 64-bit computers, you will need to install the 64-bit skin support application. Press OK when the following screen appears. Figure 3 4.
Powering Nightscape Before attaching Nightscape to your telescope, power the camera on to make sure it is working properly. 1. Attach the smaller end of the USB cable to the camera port labeled “PC”. 2. Attach the larger end of the USB cable to your computer’s USB port. 3. Plug the barrel connector end of the 12V DC power cable into the camera port labeled “12V DC”. 4. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter end of the 12V DC power cable into the 12V outlet in your car, PowerTank or other 12V power supply.
Attaching Nightscape to Telescope Before attaching Nightscape to your telescope, remember to first power it down and disconnect all cables. Nightscape has a 2” adapter with internal T-threads that allows it to be attached in two ways: Drawtube – Slide the 2” nosepiece adapter directly into your telescope’s 2” focuser and secure using the thumb screws on the telescope.
Once Nightscape is attached to your telescope and powered on, you are ready to use AstroFX software to control the camera and begin taking images. Focusing your camera Before you begin taking images, it is important to take time to carefully focus the camera. To focus Nightscape from AstroFX’s SNAP screen (see Fig 6): 1. Set the Exposure duration to a short interval (e.g., 1 second to start). You want the star to appear bright enough to effectively focus, but not so bright that pixels are saturated.
7. Slowly focus until the FWHM (Full-Width at Half-Maximum) value (in red) is as low as possible in the Focus Image window. The star should appear as small as possible and visibly sharper than when you began. 8. Hit Abort when done. NOTE: If you wish to take test images during the daytime, it is recommended to set the screen stretch to “Moon” mode for better color fidelity.
12 2 1 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 Figure 6 13 Snap Screen 1. Exposure Type – Allows you to choose the type of image to be taken. Choose from Focus, Calibration Frames (Bias, Dark, and Flat) or Astro Image. 2. Exposure duration (sec) - set the desired length of the exposure(s) from .001 seconds to 24hr (86400 sec). 3. Number of exposures – Set the desired amount of exposure(s)from 1-9999. Combining multiple exposures will greatly increase the image detail needed to create pleasing images. 4.
5. Root Image Folder – Displays where the downloaded files are automatically saved. The location can be changed by clicking the navigation button at right. 6. Start Imaging – Begins the imaging sequence and can be halted at any time using the blue Abort button at the bottom right of the control window. 7. Resolution – Sets the resolution for images being taken. Resolution can be set to Full (1x1), Half (2x2) or Quarter (4x4). 8.
Setting Temperature Setpoint The Nightscape camera can be cooled to approximately 20°C below the ambient temperature. For best results set the temperature setpoint to 20°C below ambient. For example, if the outside temperature is 15°C (60°F) then the ideal sensor temperature setting should be approximately -5°C (a difference of 20°C). If after a few minutes, the setpoint stabilizes at the desired temperature (as shown in the Temp.
Shutter : Internal Mechanical Operating Environment 40C° to -40C° (104F to -40F) A/D Conversion 16 bit Full Well Capacity 25,000 e- Read Noise (RMS) 16 e- Dark Signal (at 0° C) 2e-/pixel/second Quantum Efficiency 32%@630 nm; 42%@550 nm; 40%@470 nm Dynamic Range 64 dB Mounting 2" barrel and t-thread Back Focus Distance 55 mm w/ 2" barrel; 26 mm w/o barrel Download Time 11 sec or less for full-frame image USB Cable High-Speed 2.
Aux port Nightscape is provided with a 6-pin AUX port – available to support expandability for future development. Pin assignments for the port are as follows, (left-to-right): 1 - N/C 2 - GND 3 - IN1 4 - IN2 5 - OUT1 6 - OUT2 www.celestron.
www.celestron.com Model #95555 2835 Columbia Street • Torrance, CA 90503 U.S.A. Telephone: 310.328.9560 • Fax: 310.212.5835 ©2012Celestron | All rights reserved. (Products or instructions may change without notice or obligation.) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
