Table of ContentsIntroductionContacting SBIG1 Setting Up Your CameraPhysical ConnectionsMethod A: Eyepiece-Style ConnectionMethod B: All-Threaded ConnectionCablingComputer Connection—USB CableComputer Connection—Parallel CableTelescope Connection—Guider CableAdvanced Equipment ConnectionsInstalling CCDOps and the Driver CheckerWindows XP UsersWindows 2000 UsersWindow 98/Me UsersSet Up CCDOpsCommunications SetupConnect to the CameraIf You Have a Filter WheelAdjusting Camera SettingsCooling ExplainedCooling and Other Camera SettingsWhat Is Binning?Image Scale2 Taking an ImageTable 1 - Suggested Sky Background Brightness Levels to be Sky Background Noise LimitedAdjusting Image ContrastTaking a Sample Image IndoorsRough FocusingExternal Focusers (e.g., Refractors, Newtonians)Internal Focusers (e.g., SCTs and other Cassegrain-Family Scopes)Motorized Focusers (e.g., JMI, Optec, Van Slyke, etc.)Precision FocusingTable 2 - Camera Saturation LevelsControls in the Focus WindowDark Frames and Flat-Field FramesFlat FieldsTaking and Applying Dark and Flat-Field FramesTake Dark Frames in CCDOpsTaking Flat-Field Frames in CCDOpsTaking Multiple ExposuresAuto Grab a Sequence of ImagesCombining ImagesUsing Track & AccumulateTaking Color Images with CCDOpsAtmospheric Extinction and Exposure TimesChanging Filters Manually (No Filter Wheel Present)Combining Color ExposuresShutting Down the CameraUsing Planet MasterTaking Images with Planet MasterEvaluating Existing Images for Sharpness3 Guiding with CCDOpsGuiding PerformanceCalibrating Your MountTable 3 - Guide Chip Saturation LevelsAutoguiding and Self GuidingSelf Guiding with the AO-7SetupCalibrationAO Self GuideOptimizing the High-Speed GuidingTips for Optimizing the Improvement seen with the AO-7Troubleshooting the AO-7The Exercise CommandThe Image While Exercising CommandCalibration ProblemsWhat to Do when All Else Fails4 Image Processing with CCDOpsDisplay Menu ToolsGeneral-Purpose UtilitiesUtilities that Filter ImagesSmoothSharpenDDPMedian FilterRemove Cool PixelsKill Warm PixelsColumn/Row RepairPseudo 3DFix Uncooled TDI ImageFix ME SpikesFix Blooming StreaksUtilities that Flip or RotateFlip Horizontal/VerticalRotate CW/CCWUtilities that Resize ImagesResample PixelsEnlarge Image 2xReduce Image 2xOther UtilitiesScaleInvert PixelsPixel MathSet Pixel SaturationAverage ImagesEdit ParametersCropIndex1 Printed November 2003 Users Guide: CCDOps Version 5 SBIG ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS3 Table of Contents Table of Contents............................................................................................................3 Introduction.....................................................................................................................5 1 Setting Up Your Camera ..............................................................................................6 Physical Connections...................................................................................................6 Method A: Eyepiece-Style Connection.....................................................................7 Method B: All-Threaded Connection ........................................................................7 Cabling.....................................................................................................................8 Advanced Equipment Connections ..........................................................................9 Installing CCDOps and the Driver Checker................................................................10 Windows XP Users ................................................................................................11 Windows 2000 Users.............................................................................................15 Window 98/Me Users.............................................................................................18 Set Up CCDOps ........................................................................................................22 Communications Setup..........................................................................................22 Connect to the Camera..........................................................................................22 If You Have a Filter Wheel .....................................................................................23 Adjusting Camera Settings ........................................................................................24 Cooling Explained..................................................................................................24 Cooling and Other Camera Settings.......................................................................25 What Is Binning?....................................................................................................28 Image Scale...........................................................................................................31 2 Taking an Image ........................................................................................................33 Adjusting Image Contrast...........................................................................................35 Taking a Sample Image Indoors................................................................................38 Rough Focusing.........................................................................................................39 External Focusers (e.g., Refractors, Newtonians) ..................................................41 Internal Focusers (e.g., SCTs and other Cassegrain-Family Scopes) ....................41 Motorized Focusers (e.g., JMI, Optec, Van Slyke, etc.)..........................................42 Precision Focusing ....................................................................................................44 Controls in the Focus Window................................................................................47 Dark Frames and Flat-Field Frames ..........................................................................47 Flat Fields ..............................................................................................................50 Taking and Applying Dark and Flat-Field Frames...................................................53 Taking Multiple Exposures.........................................................................................55 Auto Grab a Sequence of