We don't just sell a camera, we also provide you with the right book to go with it. This book describes how to achieve optimal results with the StarShoot Planetary Camera II Colour.
Even with small lenses, you can take pictures of the moon and planets that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
This StarShoot Planetary Camera II Colour astrophotography set consists of:
1. Planet camera "StarShoot Planet Camera II Colour"
The powerful StarShoot planetary camera from Orion has a 1.3 megapixel chip for taking pictures of the moon and planets. The already quite large 1/2'' CMOS chip offers a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. This means that the field of view is already quite large. With a USB 2.0 cable, the images can be easily transferred to your notebook or PC.
The camera has transfer rates of up to 15 frames per second. With the practical and very popular Maxim DL Essentials software, transferring and editing images is easy.
With this camera, you can now capture high-resolution images of the sun, moon and planets.
The StarShoot Planetary Camera II has a completely new look and four times the resolution of its predecessor and many comparable models.
The camera comes as a complete set, so you can get started right away without having to worry about software or other accessories.
The most important features at a glance:
- 24-bit RGB processing
- 15 frames per second at full resolution or 30 frames per second at 640x480
- Integrated IR filter
- Individual exposure settings up to 0.5 seconds per image
- Software allows editing and superimposing of captured images to create the perfect image of the moon and planets
- Includes 1.25" plug-in sleeve with filter thread
2. Astrophotography book "Practical Astronomy with the PC"
Pursue your hobby on your own PC with the help of well-known freeware astronomy tools.
- Cartes du Ciel, Registax, Iris, Giotto, DSLRfocus and Abberator
- Create search maps for specific objects
- Integrate your own photos and compare them with star charts
Amateur astronomers and hobby astrophotographers will find clear explanations of the most common freeware astronomy programmes in this comprehensive book, as well as tips on the best Internet resources and instructions for optimising their own images.
Stargazers take note: this guide tells you everything you need to know to really enjoy your hobby. The well-known freeware tools Cartes du Ciel, Registax, Iris, Giotto, DSLRfocus and Abberator are explained in an easy-to-understand way, from configuration to optimal use.
Read how to calculate moon phases yourself, how to take really optimal pictures of planets with your webcam, or how to combine your individual shots into a fascinating overall picture. From searching for specific celestial objects to creating search charts and editing images with Photoshop Elements: everything you read in this book can be put into practice right away with the help of your telescope and your computer!
The author, Dr Steffen Brückner, is currently a research assistant at the Institute for Structural Analysis and Dynamics of Aerospace Structures at the University of Stuttgart. He has been involved in astronomy and astrophotography for many years and, thanks to his work at the Welzheim Observatory, is not only very familiar with the questions asked by beginners in astronomy, but also knows how to use the high-quality optics there perfectly. As the translator of the astronomy software Registax into German, he knows how this and other astro tools work in detail.
Cartes du Ciel: From configuration to the perfect star chart
Set the observation location, field of view and limiting magnitude; search for specific celestial objects; calculate twilight, moon phases, etc.; integrate Virtual Moon Atlas; create search charts for specific objects; integrate photos and compare them with star charts; telescope control: ASCOM, LX200 protocol
Registax and Giotto: The right programme for every image processing technique
Take optimal pictures of planets with your webcam; install and configure Registax and Giotto and make good use of all their features; compare planetary and deep sky images taken with both programmes
Useful tools: Freeware that really helps you
VirtualDub for splitting AVIs; AstroRaster as a crosshair overlay for manual guiding; aligning the mount with a pole finder; GuideDog for webcams and ASCOM telescopes; focusing DSLRs and controlling long exposures with DSLRfocus; Abberrator for calculating important telescope data
Recording techniques and processing: always get the best results
Sensor, noise behaviour and more; tips on choosing a camera (webcams, DV cams, DSLRs, etc.); Bayer colour filter array and colour interpolation; file format guide; converting DSLR RAW images to TIFF
Photoshop Elements: Optimisation techniques for astrophotography
Importing Fits images; combining images; optimising planetary photos; removing sky brightening from deep sky images; filtering out hot pixels; assembling moon mosaics; improving white light images; editing H-alpha light photographs
Information on special image editing tools, web address guide, tips and tricks for working with Windows XP, instructions for astronomy on your notebook, and much more.
Author: Dr Steffen Brückner
Length: 335 pages
