4 5
Computer
The G3 requires a PC to operate the
camera. For astro-imaging in the field
at night, a laptop computer is highly
recommended. The included software
is Camera Studio which requires
Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 to
operate.
The following hardware is also
required:
• Processor – 700 MHz speed or
higher, Pentium™ III equivalent or
higher
• Recommended minimum memory
size is 512 MB.
• Disk Space – 55 MB for software
installation, 500 GB or more to
store images is recommended.
• Video Display – 800 X 600 or
higher, 16-bit color or higher.
• Mouse
• High-speed USB 2.0 port
Power
The StarShoot G3’s thermoelectric cooler (TEC) requires 12 volts DC (12VDC)
with approximately 1 ampere of current. The camera itself can operate without
the cooler just by connecting to the computer’s USB port. For the best imaging
performance, we recommend using the TEC. The supplied 12V power cable will
plug into a cigarette style socket commonly available on power supplies or field
batteries available from Orion. If you have access to an AC outlet at your imag-
ing site, you can use a 110VAC to 12VDC adapter for the camera, available
from Orion.
2.3. Software and Driver Installation
Before the camera can be used, the software and camera drivers must be
installed onto your computer. Turn on your computer and allow the Windows
operating system to load as normal. Insert the included software CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive, and the OrionG3SetupWizardwill appear (Figure
4.1). This allows you to install the camera drivers, Camera Studio software,
ASCOM drivers, and any additional prerequisites you may need. The wizard will
automatically detect which prerequisites you need and prompt you to install them
(Figure 4.2).
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
• 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 1.25" or 2" focusers, or it can
also fit to any focuser or camera adapter with male T-threads (M42 x 0.75). Refer
to Figures 2.1 and 2.2.
Caution: Be sure to always firmly tighten the thumbscrew(s) that secure the
StarShoot G3 in the telescope focuser, or it could fall out and onto the ground!
If your telescope has T-threads for direct camera attachment, a more secure
connection can be made. First, unthread the nosepiece from the G3. This
exposes the camera’s T-threads. Then, simply thread the camera onto your tele-
scope (Figure 2.2).
BackfocusRequirement
The G3 only requires 3.5mm of inward focus travel (also sometimes called
backfocus) when connecting it to a 2" focuser on your telescope. If using
the 1.25" nosepiece, the backfocus is 23mm; if connected via T-threads the
backfocus is 19mm.
Mount
Deep sky imaging with the G3 requires an equatorial mount with a right
ascension (R.A.) motor drive. The goal for your mount is to seamlessly track the
apparent movement of the sky as the Earth rotates. The tracking must be very
accurate, or the object you want to image will drift and blur across the camera’s
field of view while the exposure is taken. Even a small amount of drift will cause
a star to look oblong instead of a round point. We recommend using a high-
quality equatorial mount which utilizes periodic error correction (PEC) or has the
ability to interface with an autoguider.
Figure 3. The USB, power, and
autoguider ports.
Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.2.
Cooling fan
USB port
Power port (for
TEC and fan only)
Autoguider
relay port