Orion StarShoot G Series Instruction Manual page 2

Welcome to the exciting world of astro-imaging. Your new StarShoot™ CMOS Imaging Camera is capable of capturing profes-
sional quality astro-images of your favorite celestial objects. You can showcase spectacular images on your computer, share them
on the internet, or print them. The camera's large pixel array provides very high resolution images which are great for publishing in
large prints. Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the camera or install the needed software. This manual
covers installation of your camera along with basic functions of acquiring images using the included software. To get the most out of
your camera using 3rd party dedicated astronomy apps coupled with the universal ASCOM driver for the G Series Camera, please
consult the software help files and manuals included with the individual software packages available on the market. Some of our
favorite programs are mentioned below. Note: This manual covers the StarShoot Mini cameras as well as the larger format cooled
G series cameras. Some features will only be available on specific models.
Figure 1. The back panel, with USB ports and LED indicator lights of
the G10
The StarShoot CMOS Camera (G10 and larger)
The StarShoot Camera is a high resolution CMOS imager with
a dual-stage, regulated thermoelectric cooler to enable maxi-
mum imaging performance. It is very sensitive and capable of
detecting faint deep sky objects in a short exposure; and longer
exposures or higher gain settings can reveal extremely deep
fields with subtle nebulosity and galaxies in the background. The
unique versatility of CMOS chip lets you take advantage of the
densely-packed pixel array. 1x1 mode utilizes the full resolution
of the camera, providing the most detailed images and largest
possible prints. The one-shot-color versions offer the easiest
path to a full color image, with the Bayer matrix over the chip
to encode the color data without having to shoot through indi-
vidual filters. The Monochrome versions are the most sensitive
StarShoot cameras, because of that monochromatic nature
of the chip, but will need to shoot through different color filters
in order to produce a full color image. Binning in 2x2 mode or
higher shortens the exposures necessary and full well capac-
ity of each pixel at the expense of resolution. Binning in 2x2
mode can be especially useful for longer focal length and higher
focal ratio telescopes, as well offers super-fast downloads when
focusing with a Bahtinov mask or V-curve assisted motorized
focuser.
Feature Highlights
• Simple interface: A USB 3.0 port and power port are all that
are needed to power and connect to the Camera (Figure 1).
• Dual-stage thermoelectric cooler: Dramatically reduces
thermal noise in all images, down to approximately 35 degrees
C from ambient temperature.
2
Case
Camera
2"
Nozzle
Figure 2a. All of the included parts of the Starshoot G10 and
above. Note: AC cable will differ in EU and UK .
• Regulated cooling: Enables you to set the exact tempera-
ture within the cooling range of the camera. This allows you to
take calibration images like dark frames at the exact same tem-
perature as your light frames, making for the cleanest images
possible. Additionally, since you can match the CMOS tempera-
ture at any time (within the range of the cooler), you have the
freedom to take dark frames when it's most convenient for you,
so you don't have to use up valuable imaging time to take dark
frames.
• High speed USB 3.0 interface and internal memory buf-
fer: The 512 megabyte on-board memory buffer ensures a
AC Adapter
USB 3.0 cable