Polaroid CCD Camera User Manuals

Table of Contents

• Introduction

  1
• Road Map of the Documentation

  1
• Quick Tour

  1
• 1.2.1. CCDOPS Software

  2
• 1.2.2. CCD Camera

  3
• Introduction to CCD Cameras

  5
• Cameras in General

  5
• How CCD Detectors Work

  5
• 2.2.1. Full Frame and Frame Transfer CCDs

  6
• Camera Hardware Architecture

  6
• CCD Special Requirements

  8
• 2.4.1. Cooling

  8
• 2.4.2. Double Correlated Sampling Readout

  9
• 2.4.3. Dark Frames

  9
• 2.4.4. Flat Field Images

  10
• 2.4.5. Pixels vs. Film Grains

  10
• 2.4.6. Guiding

  11
• Electronic Imaging

  12
• Black and White vs. Color

  13
• At the Telescope with a CCD Camera

  15
• Step by Step with a CCD Camera

  15
• Attaching the Camera to the Telescope

  15
• Establishing a Communications Link

  16
• Focusing the CCD Camera

  16
• Finding and Centering the Object

  18
• Taking an Image

  18
• Displaying the Image

  18
• Processing the Image

  19
• Advanced Capabilities

  19
• 3.9.1. Crosshairs Mode (Photometry and Astrometry)

  19
• 3.9.2. Sub-Frame Readout in Focus

  19
• 3.9.3. Track and Accumulate

  20
• 3.9.4. Autoguiding and Self Guiding

  20
• 3.9.5. Auto Grab

  21
• 3.9.6. Color Imaging

  21
• Camera Hardware

  23
• System Components

  23
• Connecting the Power

  23
• Connecting to the Computer

  23
• Connecting the Relay Port to the Telescope

  23
• 4.4.1 Using Mechanical Relays

  24
• Modular Family of CCD Cameras

  26
• 4.6 Connecting the older model CFW-6 filter wheel to the Camera

  30
• 4.7 Battery Operation

  31
• 4.8 ST-1001E Differences

  31
• Advanced Imaging Techniques

  33
• Lunar and Planetary Imaging

  33
• Deep Sky Imaging

  33
• Terrestrial Imaging

  33
• Taking a Good Flat Field

  33
• Building a Library of Dark Frames

  34
• Changing the Camera Resolution

  34
• Flat Fielding Track and Accumulate Images

  35
• Tracking Functions

  36
• Accessories for your CCD Camera

  39
• Cooling Booster

  39
• Tri-color Imaging

  40
• Camera Lens Adapters and Eyepiece Projection

  40
• Focal Reducers

  40
• AO-7 and Lucy-Richardson Software

  41
• SGS - Self-Guided Spectrograph

  41
• Third Party Products and Services

  41
• 6.7.1. Windows Software

  41
• 6.7.2. Image Processing Software

  41
• 6.7.3. Getting Hardcopy

  41
• SBIG Technical Support

  42
• Common Problems

  43
• Glossary

  45
• Appendix A - Connector ad Cables

  49
• Appendix A - Connector Pinouts

  49
• SBIG Tracking Interface Cable (TIC-78)

  49
• Appendix C - Maintenance

  51
• Cleaning the CCD and the Window

  51
• Regenerating the Desiccant

  51
• Appendix C - Capturing a Good Flat Field

  53