Orion 52085 instruction manual Table of Contents

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Welcome to the exciting world of astro-imaging. Your new StarShoot™ Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color Imaging camera is capable of capturing impressive celestial objects like galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, as well as the planets, Moon, and the Sun (with an optional solar filter). You can showcase spectacular images on your computer, share them on the internet, or print them. The camera’s large 6 mega-pixel array enables full-sized 8"x10" prints, suitable for publishing.

Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the camera or install the needed software. For the most detailed information on specific camera and software functions, consult the Maxim DL Essentials Help menu; the tutorials found there are especially useful for familiarizing yourself with the software and camera.

Table of Contents

1.Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Software and Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . 7 Getting Started During Daylight . . . . . . . . . . 10 Obtaining First Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Screen Stretch Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.Astronomical Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Fan and TEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Focusing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Imaging Deep Sky Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Dark Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Flat Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3.Image Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Dark Frame Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Flat Field Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Convert Raw to Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Combining Deep Sky Images . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Combine Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Color Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Stretch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Recommended Processing Sequence . . . . . . . 30 Note on File Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Batch Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4.Using the StarShoot Pro as an Autoguider . . . 31 Computer to Mount Connection . . . . . . . . . . 33 Autoguider Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Multiple Camera Control For Autoguiding . . . . . . 37

5.Other Features of MaxIm DL Essentials . . . . 37 Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Window Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

6.Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Polar Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Choosing a Site for Astro-imaging . . . . . . . . . 40 Using Focal Reducers and Barlow Lenses . . . . . . 40 Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 USB Extension Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

7.Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Appendix A. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . 43 Appendix B. Field of View Quick Reference Guide . 46

Appendix C. Summarized Procedure to Imaging

Deep Sky Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

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Contents Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color Imager Table of Contents System Requirements refer to Figure Parts ListGetting Started TelescopeSoftware Installation Software Driver InstallationPower MountTo install the camera driver on Windows Vista computer Camera Driver InstallationTo install the camera driver on a Windows XP computer Select Locate and install driver software recommendedGetting Started During Daylight Obtaining First ImagesScreen Stretch Window Histogram is a visualFan and TEC FocusingAstronomical Imaging Imaging Deep Sky Objects Camera Control windowSet the Mode in the Camera Control Window to Dark Raw Dark FramesLight and Dark 2x2 Modes Set the Mode in the Camera Control window to Light RawFlat Fields Dark Frame Calibration Select Setup Calibrate from the Process menuImage Processing Flat Field CalibrationCombining Deep Sky Images Color Balance Combine MethodsFilter Stretch Select Recommended Processing SequenceBatch Process Using The StarShoot Pro as an Autoguider Computer to Mount ConnectionCamera Control Window, click on the Guide tab Autoguider CalibrationClick OK in the Ascom Telescope Chooser window Edit Menu Other Features of Maxim DL EssentialsMultiple Camera Control for Autoguiding Window Menu TipsView Menu Polar AlignmentChoosing a Site for Astro-imaging Using Focal Reducers and Barlow LensesUSB Extension Cable Care and Maintenance FiltersSpecifications Appendix A. Troubleshooting26.27 Images look very noisy overallCamera lost its connection Appendix B. Field of View Quick Reference Guide 2540mm Appendix C Summarized Procedure to Imaging Deep Sky Objects Camera Control Window, Subframe ResetProcess Calibrate Page One-Year Limited Warranty
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