10
Getting Started During Daylight
We recommend using the SSDSMI-2 for the first time during the day. This
way, you can become familiar with the camera and its functions without hav-
ing to stumble around in the dark. Setup your telescope and mount so the
optical tube is pointing at an object that is at least a couple of hundred feet
away. Insert an eyepiece and focus as you normally would.
Since the SSDSMI-2 camera is so sensitive to light, you will need to “stop
down” your telescope aperture to do any imaging in daylight. This can be done
by creating a simple aperture mask out of a piece of cardboard. The piece of
cardboard should be larger than the telescope’s aperture. Cut a circular hole in
the cardboard approximately 1⁄2" in diameter, and place the cardboard over the
front of the telescope so that it completely covers the aperture except for the
1⁄2" circle. If you are using a refractor telescope, then the hole should be cut so
it is centered on the piece of cardboard. If you are using a reflector that has a
central aperture obstruction, then the hole should be cut off to one side (in order
to bypass the central obstruction). Affix your aperture mask to your telescope
with tape (Figure 7).
Figure 7. Because the SSDSMI-2 is sensitive to light, an aperture mask is needed
on the telescope for any imaging during daylight. For a refractor, the hole should be
centered on the aperture mask. For a reflector, the hole should be off to one side of the
aperture mask.