The Celestron Nightscape CCD camera
The Nightscape CCD camera combines the user-friendliness of a colour camera with the sophisticated features and software of more expensive astronomical cameras. With its 10.7 megapixel sensor from Kodak and controllable cooling, the Nightscape provides quick results after exposing just one image - you do not need to use multiple colour filter exposures to achieve an impressive result. Together with the built-in mechanical shutter and control software, you can automatically combine multiple images and dark frames and so achieve results that are comparable with the images from much more expensive professional cameras.
The Nightscape offers:
Versatility
With compact 4.75x4.75 micron pixels plus 2x2 and 4x4 binning, the Nightscape provides the appropriate resolution at a range of different aperture ratios. With 2x2 binning, f10 systems provide a large image scale but still allow sub-arc second image sampling - ideal for bringing out the fine details in planets and compact deep-sky objects. At f2, you can use the high resolution of the 4.75x4.75 micron pixels for photographing extended objects - and the resolution is still better than the seeing even here. The Nightscape is versatile enough to use with all of the configurations involved with EdgeHD Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes and other systems.
Color fidelity
The Kodak KAI-10100 colour sensor offers high light sensitivity as well as evenly distributing the sensitivity over the entire spectrum, so that you can take true colour images in a fraction of the time that would be required with a colour filter wheel.
Cooling
Controlled cooling (Regulated Thermoelectric Cooling - TEC) and variable fan control enable a smooth, uniform airflow - greatly reducing the thermal noise found with typical image sensors.
Ideal shape
The compact, 10cm housing ensures the minimal possible obstruction - very desirable in f2 photography. The round symmetrical aluminium housing is similar in size to the obstruction from the secondary mirror of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes and gives round star images with minimal light scattering. Moreover, the distance to the sensor is the same as for most DSLR cameras, so no additional T2 adapter is necessary.
Full control with AstroFX
The Celestron AstroFX software included in delivery takes you step-by-step through image acquisition and processing and all the way to obtaining the final image. You can control all the settings of your camera using AstroFX - from temperature and exposure settings to computer assisted focusing. AstroFX is able to process your images and dark frames to create combined, sharpened and processed images in virtually no time - images that you can show to your friends with pride.
System requirements:
- processor - Pentium™ or equivalent, or better
- Windows XP™, Windows Vista™ or Windows 7™ (or better), 32-bit or 64-bit
- 1GB RAM
- disk space - 20MB for program installation
- display resolution: at least 1024x768, 16-bit colour or better
