Polaroid ST-8E, ST-9E, ST-7E manual CCD Camera

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Section 1 - Introduction

Load up the other sample images and display them using the photo display mode.

If you find that the display is too dark or bright, try setting Auto Contrast in the display menu or adjust the background and range parameters to achieve the best display. Usually your monitor brightness and contrast want to be set fairly high.

Note: Full daylight at F/22 will saturate these cameras with the shortest exposure. With a camera lens start out in dim room light. For full sunlight you will need a neutral density filter.

1.2.2. CCD Camera

Unfortunately there really aren't many shortcuts you can take when using the CCD camera to capture images. The instructions below refer you to various sections of the manual.

Insert the CCD Camera into the telescope and focus on a star (refer to Sections 3.2 and 3.3).

Find some relatively bright object like M51, the Ring Nebula (M57) or the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) (refer to section 3.5).

Take a 1 minute exposure using the Grab command with the Dark frame option set to Also (refer to Section 3.6).

Display the image (refer to Section 3.7).

Process the image (refer to Section 3.8).

If you happen to have purchased a camera lens adapter for your CCD Camera you can use that to take images in the daytime. Additionally you could make a small pinhole aperture out of a piece of aluminum foil after wrapping it around the camera's nosepiece.

Shut down the F stop all the way to F/16 or F/22.

Set the focus based upon the object and the markings on the lens.

Take a 1 second exposure with the Grab command.

Display the image (refer to Section 3.7).

Process the image (refer to Section 3.8).

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Contents Operating Manual Page Table of Contents Technique Road Map of the Documentation IntroductionQuick Tour Ccdops for Windows or Macintosh Ccdops SoftwareCCD Camera Page Cameras in General Introduction to CCD CamerasHow CCD Detectors Work Camera Hardware Architecture Full Frame and Frame Transfer CCDsCCD System Block Diagram Cooling CCD Special RequirementsDark Frames Double Correlated Sampling ReadoutPixels vs. Film Grains Flat Field ImagesGuiding Electronic Imaging Black and White vs. Color Page Step by Step with a CCD Camera At the Telescope with a CCD CameraAttaching the Camera to the Telescope Establishing a Communications Link Focusing the CCD CameraCamera Back Focus Processing the Image Finding and Centering the ObjectTaking an Image Displaying the ImageAdvanced Capabilities Crosshairs Mode Photometry and AstrometrySub-Frame Readout in Focus Autoguiding and Self Guiding Track and AccumulateColor Imaging Auto GrabAt the Telescope with a CCD Camera Camera Hardware Connecting the PowerConnecting to the Computer Connecting the Relay Port to the TelescopeUsing Mechanical Relays Push to Make Switch Modification Joystick Modification Modular Family of CCD CamerasSystem Features 20.6x sizeum Focal length cm Camera Hardware Connecting the older model CFW-6 filter wheel to the Camera Battery Operation Page Terrestrial Imaging Advanced Imaging TechniquesLunar and Planetary Imaging Deep Sky ImagingTaking a Good Flat Field Changing the Camera ResolutionBuilding a Library of Dark Frames Flat Fielding Track and Accumulate Images Tracking Functions Advanced Imaging Techniques Page Cooling Booster Accessories for your CCD CameraAO-7 and Lucy-Richardson Software Tri-color ImagingCamera Lens Adapters and Eyepiece Projection Focal ReducersImage Processing Software Third Party Products and ServicesSGS Self-Guided Spectrograph Windows SoftwareSbig Technical Support Common Problems Common Problems Common Problems Page Glossary STV Glossary Glossary Appendix a Connector Pinouts Appendix a Connector ad CablesSbig Tracking Interface Cable TIC-78 Figure A1 CCD Connector for TIC Mating Cleaning the CCD and the Window Appendix C MaintenanceRegenerating the Desiccant Page Technique Appendix C Capturing a Good Flat FieldPage Index IBM PC Separations