instruction Manual Orion® StarShoot™ G3 Deep Space Imaging Cameras Color #53082, Monochrome #53083 Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 OrionTelescopes.com Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: support@telescope.com Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076 © 2011 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars IN 400 Rev.
DC power cable with lighter plug 2" Mounting base StarShoot G3 Deep Space Imaging Camera T-threads (M42x0.75) T-threads USB cable Dust cap 1.25" nosepiece (removeable) Software CD Figure 1. StarShoot G3 Imaging Camera and included items. Contents 1. Introduction 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.1. The StarShoot G3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.2. Feature Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2.1. Parts List.
2. Getting Started 2.1. Parts List (Figure 1) • StarShoot G3 Deep Space Imaging Camera • USB Cable • DC power cable with lighter plug • Software CD Computer Cooling fan Autoguider relay port USB port Power port (for TEC and fan only) Figure 3. The USB, power, and autoguider ports. • Removable 1.25" nosepiece (threaded to camera) • Dust cap for 1.25" nosepiece 2.2. System Requirements Telescope The StarShoot G3 fits any telescope equipped with 1.
Connect/Disconnect Once your prerequisites have been installed, you will be prompted to install the G3 ASCOM driver and Camera Studio software (Figure 4.3). Note that ASCOM is only required if you intend to use the camera in another program, such as Nebulosity and MaxIm DL, or if you wish to use the camera as an autoguider. Click Orion Camera Studio Application to install the software. Do no plug the StarShoot G3 camera into your computer until you have completed the software and driver installation.
Capture – Color: Raw, YCbCr, RGB (for StarShoot G3 Color only) Subframe You can selectively download a segment of the whole field of view to provide extremely fast download times. This is useful for focusing since you typically just concentrate on one star. Click and drag the mouse across part of the image to form a square (Figure 7), then check the Subframe box. The subframe size and coordinates will also be displayed in the Subframe dialog.
3.4. Analysis (Figure 10) The Analysis window displays quantitative data from the image pertaining to pixel brightness and star diameter. Your mouse cursor position will focus on that region of the image for the Analysis display (Figure 10). The information displayed is very useful, but for beginning astro-imagers, concentrate mainly on getting the smallest HFD possible when focusing on a star. Actual Figure 10. The Analysis window displays Displays the brightness value of the useful data about your image.
than the whole frame. The exposures will display continuously. Adjust the focuser as needed to get the sharpest looking star. 8. CCD temperature will naturally heat up on its own. To start with, set the Target (°C) to about 7°C lower than the current CCD Temperature, to allow yourself some margin for outdoor temperature changes. (Figure 12) Once the star looks sharp, hover the mouse cursor over the star and pay attention to the HFD value.
4.3. Imaging Deep Sky Objects Capturing impressive images of deep sky objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, require relatively long exposures. You will take several individual images and stack them together to form one high-quality resultant image. Very accurate polar alignment is essential for deep sky imaging. Stars will streak across the field of view without precise polar alignment and tracking. Longer exposures of 60 seconds or more also require autoguiding with a separate camera.
the Maximum to read somewhere around 10,000-15,000. Adjust the exposure time as needed until the Maximum is close to this range. It’s a good idea to take several flat frames and try different exposure times until you find the correct exposure. If you are taking your flats near dusk or dawn, the sky brightness will change rapidly. imager, you may choose to skip this step for the time being. Vignetting Vignetting (Figure 15.1) in a telescope reveals edge-darkening in the astroimage.
a different alignment method. Normally the Auto Star matching is the easiest method. Convert to Color (For the StarShoot G3 Color only) 1. 2. With your calibrated images still open, goto the Process menu and select Color, then CMYG Raw conversion. We recommend using the default values (Figure 18), but you may adjust them to your liking. 5.1 Save and Export Always save your work in the native .FIT format which will preserve all of the image data you worked on. .
When you have made your selection for Export, click Export and specify the file name and folder destination, then click Save. Auto guider port For the StarShoot G3 Monochrome We recommend Orion 1.25" LRGB imaging filters and a filter wheel to capture high quality color images. 6. Using the StarShoot G3 as an Autoguider The StarShoot G3 also functions as a very high performance autoguider. Use the included ASCOM drivers for the camera to operate it in any number of ASCOM compatible programs.
8. Specifications StarShoot G3 Color StarShoot G3 Monochrome CCD Sensor: Sony ICX419AKL Color CCD Sensor: Sony® ICX419ALL Monochrome Sensor format: 1/2" Sensor format: 1/2" Pixel array: 752 x 582 (437,664 total) Pixel array: 752 x 582 (437,664 total) Pixel size: 8.6µm x 8.3µm Pixel size: 8.6µm x 8.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes of modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
