1. Introduction1.1. Getting Started.1.2. Installing the USB Drivers for the First Time1.2.1. Installing the CCDOps and the Driver Checker1.2.2.1. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows XP Users1.2.2.2. Add New Hardware Wizard for Window 95/98/Me Users1.2.2.3. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows 2000 Users1.2.3. Getting Started with CCDOPS1.2.4. To try some functions with sample images:1.2.5. Capturing Images with the CCD Camera2. Introduction to CCD Cameras2.1. Cameras in General2.2. How CCD Detectors Work2.2.1. Full Frame and Frame Transfer / Interline CCDs2.3. Camera Hardware Architecture2.4. CCD Special Requirements2.4.1. Cooling2.4.2. Double Correlated Sampling Readout2.4.3. Dark Frames2.4.4. Flat Field Images2.4.5. Pixels vs. Film GrainsGuiding2.5. Electronic Imaging2.6. Black and White vs. Color3. At the Telescope with a CCD Camera3.1. Step by Step with a CCD Camera3.2. Attaching the Camera to the Telescope3.3. Establishing a Communications Link3.4. Focusing the CCD Camera3.5. Finding and Centering the Object3.6. Taking an Image3.7. Displaying the Image3.8. Processing the Image3.9. Advanced Capabilities3.9.1. Crosshairs Mode (Photometry and Astrometry)3.9.2. Sub-Frame Readout in Focus3.9.3. Track and Accumulate3.9.4. Autoguiding and Self Guiding3.9.5. Auto Grab3.9.6. Color Imaging4. Camera Hardware4.1. System Components4.2. Connecting the Power4.3. Connecting to the Computer4.4. Connecting the Relay Port to the Telescope4.4.1 Using Mechanical Relays4.5. Modular Family of CCD Cameras4.6 Connecting accessories to the Camera4.7 Battery Operation5. Advanced Imaging Techniques5.1. Lunar and Planetary Imaging5.2. Deep Sky Imaging5.3. Terrestrial Imaging5.4. Taking a Good Flat Field5.5. Building a Library of Dark Frames5.6. Changing the Camera Resolution5.7. Flat Fielding Track and Accumulate Images5.8. Tracking Functions6. Accessories for your CCD CameraWater Cooling6.2. Tri-color Imaging6.3. Camera Lens Adapters and Eyepiece Projection6.4. Focal Reducers6.5. AO-7 and Lucy-Richardson Software6.6. SGS - Self-Guided Spectrograph6.7. Third Party Products and Services6.7.1. Windows Software6.7.2. Image Processing Software6.7.3. Getting Hardcopy6.8. SBIG Technical Support7. Common Problems8. GlossaryAppendix A - Connector and CablesA.1. Connector Pinouts for the AO7/CFW8/SCOPE port:A.2. Connector Pinouts for the power jack:A.3. Connector Pinouts for the I2C AUX port:A.4. SBIG Tracking Interface Cable (TIC-78)B. Appendix B - MaintenanceB.1. Cleaning the CCD and the WindowB.2. Regenerating the DesiccantC. Appendix C - Capturing a Good Flat FieldC.1. TechniqueD. Appendix D - Use and Maintenance of the Cooling BoosterE. Appendix E – Third Party Vendors Supporting SBIG ProductsOperating Manual CCD Camera Models ST-7XE/XME, ST-8XE, ST-9XE, ST-10XE/XME and ST-2000XM/XCM With High Speed USB Interface Santa Barbara Instrument Group 147A Castilian Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Phone (805) 571-7244 • Fax (805) 571-1147 Web:<www.sbig.com> • Email:<[email protected]> ▬▬▬▬ SBIG ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTSNote: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the receiver and the equipment. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Shielded I/O cables must be used when operating this equipment. You are also warned, that any changes to this certified device will void your legal right to operate it. OPERATION Manual for ST-XE/ST-8XE/ST-9XE/ST-10XE/ST-10XME/ST-2000XM Revision 1.4 June, 2004Section 1 - Introduction Page 1 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.1. Getting Started.................................................................................................................. 4 1.2. Installing the USB Drivers for the First Time............................................................... 4 1.2.1. Installing the CCDOps and the Driver Checker ...................................... 5 1.2.2.1. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows XP Users............................. 6 1.2.2.2. Add New Hardware Wizard for Window 95/98/Me Users ............... 13 1.2.2.3. Add New Hardware Wizard for Windows 2000 Users........................ 18 1.2.3. Getting Started with CCDOPS ....................................................................................... 22 1.2.4. To try some functions with sample images:................................................................. 22 1.2.5. Capturing Images with the CCD Camera .................................................................... 22 2. Introduction to CCD Cameras .................................................................................... 25 2.1. Cameras in General ....................................................................................................... 25 2.2. How CCD Detectors Work ........................................................................................... 25 2.2.1. Full Frame and Frame Transfer / Interline CCDs ................................. 26 2.3. Camera Hardware Architecture .................................................................................. 26 2.4. CCD Special Requirements........................................................................................... 29 2.4.1. Cooling......................................................................................................... 29 2.4.2. Double Correlated Sampling Readout .................................................... 30 2.4.3. Dark Frames