SBIG ST-7XE - Table of Contents

Section 1 - Introduction
Page 1
1.
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Getting Started.................................................................................................................. 4
1.2. Installing the USB Drivers for the First Time............................................................... 4
1.2.1. Installing the CCDOps and the Driver Checker ...................................... 5
1.2.2.1. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows XP Users............................. 6
1.2.2.2. Add New Hardware Wizard for Window 95/98/Me Users ............... 13
1.2.2.3. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows 2000 Users........................ 18
1.2.3. Getting Started with CCDOPS ....................................................................................... 22
1.2.4. To try some functions with sample images:................................................................. 22
1.2.5. Capturing Images with the CCD Camera .................................................................... 22
2. Introduction to CCD Cameras .................................................................................... 25
2.1. Cameras in General ....................................................................................................... 25
2.2. How CCD Detectors Work ........................................................................................... 25
2.2.1. Full Frame and Frame Transfer / Interline CCDs ................................. 26
2.3. Camera Hardware Architecture .................................................................................. 26
2.4. CCD Special Requirements........................................................................................... 29
2.4.1. Cooling......................................................................................................... 29
2.4.2. Double Correlated Sampling Readout .................................................... 30
2.4.3. Dark Frames ................................................................................................ 30
2.4.4. Flat Field Images......................................................................................... 30
2.4.5. Pixels vs. Film Grains................................................................................. 31
2.4.6. Guiding ........................................................................................................ 32
2.5. Electronic Imaging ......................................................................................................... 32
2.6. Black and White vs. Color............................................................................................. 33
3. At the Telescope with a CCD Camera....................................................................... 35
3.1. Step by Step with a CCD Camera................................................................................ 35
3.2. Attaching the Camera to the Telescope ...................................................................... 35
3.3. Establishing a Communications Link ......................................................................... 36
3.4. Focusing the CCD Camera ........................................................................................... 36
3.5. Finding and Centering the Object ............................................................................... 38
3.6. Taking an Image............................................................................................................. 38
3.7. Displaying the Image .................................................................................................... 38
3.8. Processing the Image..................................................................................................... 39
3.9. Advanced Capabilities .................................................................................................. 39
3.9.1. Crosshairs Mode (Photometry and Astrometry) ................................... 39
3.9.2. Sub-Frame Readout in Focus.................................................................... 39
3.9.3. Track and Accumulate............................................................................... 40
3.9.4. Autoguiding and Self Guiding................................................................. 40
3.9.5. Auto Grab .................................................................................................... 41
3.9.6. Color Imaging ............................................................................................. 41
4. Camera Hardware ......................................................................................................... 43
4.1. System Components...................................................................................................... 43
4.2. Connecting the Power ................................................................................................... 43
4.3. Connecting to the Computer........................................................................................ 43
4.4. Connecting the Relay Port to the Telescope............................................................... 43