Orion 52083 Manuale utente

Orion® StarShoot™

Deep Space Monochrome Imager II

#52083

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975

Customer Support (800) 676-1343

E-mail: [email protected]

Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000

P.O. Box 1815, Santa Cruz, CA 95061

IN 320 Rev. A 10/07

Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new

StarShoot Deep Space Monochrome Imaging camera

II (SSDSMI-2) is capable of capturing detailed images

of astronomical objects; galaxies, star clusters, and

nebula, as well as the planets, Moon, and the Sun (with

optional solar ﬁlter). These objects can be imaged to

create spectacular views on your computer (laptop

recommended, see “System Requirements”) which

can be saved for emailing or printing later. You’ll ﬁnd

that this relatively inexpensive, yet powerful, camera

will enhance your astronomical journeys with your

telescope.

Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the camera or

install the needed software. For the most detailed information on speciﬁc

camera and software functions, consult the Maxim DL Essentials Help menu;

the tutorials found there are especially useful for familiarizing yourself with how

the software and camera are typically used.

Parts List

• StarShoot Deep Space Monochrome Imager II

• USB cable

• 3V Power supply for TEC (requires 2x D-cell batteries, not included)

• CD-ROM

System Requirements (refer to Figure 1)

Telescope

The SSDSMI-2 can be used with virtually any telescope that is compatible with

1.25" format eyepieces. The camera simply is inserted into a focuser in the

same way as a standard eyepiece (Figure 2a).

Important Note: Be sure to always ﬁrmly tighten the thumbscrew(s) that

secures the SSDSMI-2 in the telescope focuser, or it could fall out and onto

the ground!

If your telescope is has T-threads for direct camera attachment, a more secure

connection can be made. First, unthread the nosepiece from the SSDSMI-2.

This exposes the camera’s T-threads. Now, simply thread the camera onto your

telescope (Figure 2b).

Securing thumbscrew

Figure 1. To use the SSDSMI-2, a telescope, mount, and computer are required.

Figure 2a. The SSDSMI-2 ﬁts into 1.25" focuser, just like a standard 1.25" eyepiece.

Firmly tighten the thumbscrew that secures the SSDSI in the focuser.

Figure 2b. If your telescope has T-threads, remove the nosepiece from the SSDSMI-

2 and thread the camera directly onto the telescope. This provides the most secure

connection.

T-threads

In order to reach focus, the telescope must have approximately 0.6" (15mm)

of inward focus travel relative to where a standard eyepiece focuses. If your

telescope does not have enough inward focus travel, you will need to use

and optional 1.25" barlow lens to extend the telescope’s focal plane to the

camera’s imaging plane.

For most types of astro-imaging with the SSDSMI-2 (except planetary imag-

ing), using a telescope with a focal length of under 1000mm is recommended.

Otherwise, the ﬁeld of view may be too small to capture the entire deep sky

object. To decrease the effective focal length of your telescope, use a focal

reducer lens (available from Orion). If you are imaging planets, however, you

will beneﬁt from using a telescope with a long (over 1000mm) focal length. Or

you can use a barlow lens to extend the effective focal length of your telescope

to increase planetary image scale.

Mount

An equatorial mount with right ascension motor drive is required for deep sky

imaging with the SSDSMI-2. Otherwise, objects will drift in the ﬁeld of view as

the image is being captured. It is also very important that the mount tracks

very accurately with little periodic error. If not, stars will not appear round in the

ﬁnal image. Use a sturdy mount that is appropriately sized for the telescope

tube being used. Accurate polar alignment will also be required.

Computer

A computer is needed. For astro-imaging in the ﬁeld at night, a laptop com-

puter is highly recommended. Maxim DL Essentials requires Windows 2000,

Windows XP, or Windows Vista.

The following hardware is also required:

• Processor – Pentium™ or equivalent, or higher

• Recommended minimum memory size is 64 MB.

• Disk Space – 67 MB for program installation, 100 MB swap ﬁle recom-

mended

• Video Display – 800 X 600, 16-bit color or higher. 1024x768 or higher is

recommended.

• Mouse

• Internet Explorer 4 or higher required to display on-line help

• USB port (USB 2.0 recommended)

Maxim DL Essentials beneﬁts greatly from increased memory size.

Note: Some computers have USB ports that are known to not meet the USB

speciﬁcation for the output voltage. These computers may not be able to run

the SSDSMI-2 without the use of an external powered hub. The vast majority of

computers, however, do meet the proper USB speciﬁcation, and should have no

problems running the SSDSMI-2 off of regular USB power. The SSDSMI-2 itself is

fully USB compliant regarding its power requirements.

Power and the TEC

In order to provide power for the SSDSMI-2’s thermoelectric cooler (TEC), an

external 3VDC power supply is needed. The SSDSMI-2 camera itself runs off

the power supplied by your computer’s USB port; only the TEC requires exter-

nal power. So, if you happen to run out of external 3VDC power in the ﬁeld, you

can still run the camera without the TEC.

The TEC is like a refrigerator in the camera. When the camera is running, it pro-

duces internal heat, which causes “noise” in images. The TEC counteracts this

by cooling the CCD chip, which reduces thermal noise. This produces better

quality images than similar uncooled cameras can provide. Also, cameras with

simple air-cooling (i.e. with an onboard fan) cannot reduce the internal cam-

era temperature below ambient (outside) temperature, and therefore produce

images that are inherently inferior. The TEC in the SSDSMI-2 will reduce the

temperature of the camera’s interior to approximately 36°F (20° C) below the

ambient outside temperature.

The included 3VDC power supply requires two D-cell batteries (not included).

To install the batteries, open the battery holder by pulling and lifting the tab

on the cover labeled “OPEN”. Then, insert the batteries so the polarity is as

indicated on the interior of the holder.

When the 3VDC power supply is plugged into the SSDSMI-2, the TEC is on

(Figure 3). It takes about a minute for the TEC to provide maximum cooling, so

wait a couple of minutes before you begin to capture images. When the power

source is not plugged in, the TEC is off. Remember to unplug the TEC when it

is not in use, or you will drain the power supply. Keeping a spare set of D-cell

batteries in your equipment case is also a good idea!

Software and Driver Installation

Before the camera can be used, 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 CD-ROM into your computer’s

CD-ROM drive, and the Launcher will appear (Figure 4). This allows you to

install the Maxim DL Essentials software. After the software is installed, the

drivers will install automatically once the SSDSMI-2 is initially connected to

the computer. Do not connect the camera to your computer before you have

installed the software.

Figure 4. The Launcher provides an

easy menu for software installation.

Figure 3. The 3V power supply (with two D-cell batteries installed) turns the TEC on

when it is plugged into the SSDSMI-2.

3VDC Power supply

Tab

D-cell batteries (2)

USB

cable

Input jack for

TEC power

- +

Software Installation

To install Maxim DL Essentials Edition:

1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. The Launcher will appear. For Windows

Vista computers, the AutoPlay window will appear. Select Run Launcher.exe,

then the Launcher will appear.

2. Click Install.

3. The InstallShield Wizard will start. Click Next.

4. Read the Maxim DL License Agreement. If you agree with the terms, then

select I accept the terms in this license agreement and click Next.

5. You are now ready to install. Click Install. The installation will proceed.

6. The installation is now complete. Click the Finish button.

You can start Maxim DL Essentials Edition using the desktop icon, or using the

Windows Start menu.

Camera Driver Installation

Now that the software is installed, the camera driver must also be installed.

The system will automatically guide you through driver installation when the

SSDSMI-2 is initially connected to the computer. You must plug-in the camera

before starting Maxim DL Essentials Edition, or the software and computer will

not recognize the camera.

To install the camera driver on a Windows XP computer:

1. Make sure the CD-ROM is in the computer.

2. Connect the Orion StarShoot Deep Space Imager II to a USB port on the

computer with the supplied USB cable. Windows will automatically detect

the camera and start the Found New Hardware Wizard (Figure 5a).

Note: For best results, use a USB 2.0 port. If you only have USB 1.1, the cam-

era will run slower. We highly recommend upgrading to USB 2.0 if you have

USB 1.1. A USB upgrade card can be found from a computer parts supplier.

Note: You do not need to connect the SSDSMI-2 to the external 3VDC power

supply at this time. The external power is for the camera’s thermoelectric

cooler (TEC) only, and normal camera operation does not require it to be on

(i.e. when the TEC is powered it is on, when it is not powered it is off). Use

of the TEC is highly recommended for long exposure astro-imaging, however

(see “Imaging Deep Sky Objects”).

3. Select No, not this time and click Next.

4. Select Install from a list of speciﬁc location (Advanced) and click Next.

5. Select Search removable media (ﬂoppy, CD-ROM...). Turn off the other

options. Click Next.

6. Windows will start looking for the driver ﬁles on the CD-ROM.

7. Windows will note that the driver has not passed Windows Logo testing.

This is normal. Click the Continue Anyway button.

8. When the Wizard has completed, click the Finish button. This completes the

driver installation process.

Now, start the Maxim DL Essentials Edition software. The camera will now be

recognized, and the Camera Control Window (Figure 6) will appear. Once the

driver is installed, the computer and software will recognize the SSDSMI-2

whenever it is plugged in.

To install the camera driver on Windows Vista computer:

1. Make sure the CD-ROM is in the computer.

2. Connect the SSDSMI-2 to a USB port on the computer with the supplied

USB cable. Windows will automatically detect the camera and display the

Found New Hardware window (Figure 5b.)

3. Select Locate and install driver software (recommended).

4. In the next window that appears, select Don’t search online.

5. The next window that appears will ask you to “Insert the disc that came

with your StarShoot Camera”. Click Next.

6. A Windows Security window will appear and mention that “Windows can’t

verify the publisher of this driver software”. Choose Install this driver soft-

ware anyway.

Figure 5a. When initially connecting the SSDSMI-2 to a

Windows XP computer, the Found New Hardware Wizard will

appear and guide you through driver installation.

7. When the window appears telling you “The software for this device has

been successfully installed”, click Close. This completes the driver instal-

lation process.

Now, start the MaxIm DL Essentials Edition software. The camera will now be

recognized, and the Camera Control Window (Figure 6) will appear. Once the

driver is installed, the computer and software will recognize the SSDSMI-2

whenever it is plugged in.

Note: If your computer (Windows XP or Vista) has multiple USB ports, you will need

to install the driver again if the SSDSMI-2 is connected to a different USB port.

Figure 6.

The Camera

Control Window

automatically

appears when the

SSDSI is connected

to the computer

and the Maxim DL

Essentials program

is started.

Figure 5b. When

initially connecting

the SSDSMI-2 to

a Windows Vista

computer, the Found

New Hardware

window will appear

and guide you through

driver installation.

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.

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