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SBIG ST-4 Operating Manual

Star tracker imaging camera
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Model ST-4 Star Tracker
Imaging Camera
Operating Manual

Table of Contents

Instrument Overview ............................................................................. Page 1
Star Tracking Operation ......................................................................... Page 4
Imaging Camera Operation ................................................................... Page 8
Host Computer Software Overview...................................................... Page 10
Using the ST-4 with an IBM PC or Compatible ................................... Page 18
Using the ST-4 with a Macintosh........................................................... Page 28
Problem Solving with the ST-4 .............................................................. Page 38
Appendix A ............................................................................................. Page 39
PO Box 50437 • 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 33
Phone: (805) 969-1851 • FAX: (805) 969-4099
• Web: www.sbig.com
Email:
sbig@sbig.com

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Summary of Contents for SBIG ST-4

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    Imaging Camera Operation ..............Page 8 Host Computer Software Overview............Page 10 Using the ST-4 with an IBM PC or Compatible ........Page 18 Using the ST-4 with a Macintosh............Page 28 Observing Suggestions with the ST-4 Imaging Camera...... Page 37 Problem Solving with the ST-4 ..............

  • Page 3: Instrument Overview

    NSTRUMENT VERVIEW The Model ST-4 Star Tracker / Imaging Camera is a multipurpose instrument. It can be used as an automatic star tracker to take long guided exposures of the night sky, or, in conjunction with a personal computer (PC), as a highly sensitive imaging camera. This manual describes the technical concept of the Model ST-4, the interfaces to the telescope and computer, and general operating instructions.
  • Page 4 In imaging mode, the microcontroller in the frost may initially form on the top of the ST-4 is told to take an exposure by the PC. It CCD, in a matter of minutes it will migrate does so, and stores the resulting data in memory and be trapped at the back of the CCD.
  • Page 5 For joystick type controllers, the four relays in the ST-4 are used to simulate the joystick being pushed to its limits. Two relays are used for each axis or rheostat of the joystick as shown in Figure 3. For the Right Ascension rheostat you would...

  • Page 6: Star Tracking Operation

    The instrument panel is illustrated in Figure 4. such that it seats accurately against the tube. The ST-4 instrument is furnished with a power The CCD will not be damaged by light when cable, a cable to the CCD, and a third cable for powered, so it can be easily handled.
  • Page 7 CCD, four-step process with the ST-4 exercising the reducing brightness. Atmospheric four relays, and after each step the ST-4 will turbulence will also tend to smear the image, momentarily display location so it may be helpful to watch several...
  • Page 8 The exposure (integration time) used by the -3 indicates that the star moved 0.6 pixels in ST-4 in the tracking mode can be set to be the -Y direction during the exposure). The from 0.1 to 20 seconds. The readout time of number displayed after the A in the value the array is 0.14 seconds;...
  • Page 9 Brightness Adjustment Setting this to A is the normal mode. If this parameter is set to F the ST-4 will set each pixel equal to the sum of the 3 x 3 pixel box centered on that pixel prior to performing the tracking calculation.

  • Page 10: Imaging Camera Operation

    This method works quite well, and uses enough pixels such that 0.5 arcsecond per pixel scale factors can be The ST-4 works quite well as an electronic achieved while viewing an entire planet. imaging camera when connected to either an IBM Unfortunately, this technique does not work PC or compatible or an Apple Macintosh.
  • Page 11 (the ST-4 can be battery operated in conjunction with a laptop computer, though). After some use you will find that film is best for producing sensational color pictures, and the CCD is best for planets, small...

  • Page 12: Host Computer Software Overview

    (nebulae, the moon, etc.). For Adjusting the Contrast images of star fields you can try Auto-Contrast, Any image taken by the ST-4 consists of an array but will probably get better results by manually of 192 x 165 pixel values, with each pixel value adjusting the Background and Range parameters.
  • Page 13 This the CCD head as shown below in Figure 4. section discusses the photometric capabilities of the ST-4 and its host software. Scope Factors Several telescope and calibration factors are required by the computer software to correctly calculate star brightnesses and separations.
  • Page 14 Background and Range contrast parameters (like These other techniques are discussed in this the Auto-Contrast does), for determining the section. dark current or sky background level, and for determining the optimum exposure time. Page 12 SBIG ST-4/0490...
  • Page 15 Dithering ST-4). The host software can be configured to talk to the ST-4 at the fixed baud rates of 1200, Although the images from the CCD camera can 9600, 19.2K, and 57.6K or can be configured for have 256 possible intensity levels or gray-scales, Auto Baud mode.
  • Page 16 Important Note: As previously mentioned, you can not take The ST-4 sends a check digit with each line of infinitely long exposures because the CCD will data. The host software verifies the data eventually saturate from the effects of the dark using this check digit.
  • Page 17 The host software allows you to capture a transmission time which is 1/4th as long as dark frame and retain it in the ST-4, then on for full frame images. subsequent light images, you can have the ST-4...
  • Page 18 This mode can be used to guide on stars too Focus Mode. Configure the Focus Mode for an faint for the ST-4 to lock on, since the eye- exposure time of 1 second, full frame, automatic brain combination is better at recognizing a...
  • Page 19 Finally try out the Quarter Frame and Low-Res modes, and try out the two 33 x 27 pixel modes. SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 17...

  • Page 20: Using The St-4 With An Ibm Pc Or Compatible

    EGA.BGI, etc. files are graphics drivers for using the ST-4 as an imaging camera. You will want to read it if you plan on connecting the ST-4 the various types of graphics cards supported to an IBM PC or compatible computer.
  • Page 21 ROUP If you get a communication failure message, within any of the command screens, that recheck your cables, make sure the ST-4 is command will immediately execute. powered on (red numbers should appear on the Each command screen consists of several display).
  • Page 22 Selecting the Edit parameters operation Select the desired file using the cursor keys, and allows you to change the file annotation, and edit hit ENTER again. The file will be loaded, the Page 20 SBIG ST-4/0490...
  • Page 23 Contrast mode where the computer sets the Presentation mode, the horizontal axis of the Background and Range parameters based upon image is expanded or compressed by the the image's histogram. If you do want Auto- SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 21...
  • Page 24 Horiz flip This is the intensity of the pixel directly under Executing this command causes the image to the Crosshair as recorded by the ST-4, and is be flipped about a horizontal axis, and a number from 0 to 255.
  • Page 25 The newly zoomed image is above, but higher accuracy positioning of the displayed, Display Mode entered. reference is achieved for stellar objects by Pressing the ESC key while in Zoom Mode determining the center to subpixel accuracy. SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 23...
  • Page 26 In general you will set this item to Yes if you ST-4 and for fine tuning the graphics software have a color display or monitor attached to used for displaying images. The items in the PC your graphics adapter.
  • Page 27 The Camera/Scope Command copied to the image. The Camera/Scope command screen allows the user to setup the ST-4 and computer for optimum Aperture performance in taking images, and for indicating Enter in this item the aperture area (in square the telescope parameters.
  • Page 28 Focus Mode at just the not take a new exposure, but download the correct time, using the Manual option image in the ST-4's memory (from the alleviates this problem. Setting this item to previous exposure). Automatic enables Auto-Update mode where...
  • Page 29 Finally, the cursor keys can be used to control the relays in the ST-4, where each key press causes one of the four relays to close for 0.2 seconds. Be careful to...

  • Page 30: Using The St-4 With A Macintosh

    Return key. The program will then go out and software determines the color or gray scale look for a ST-4. It will tell you whether it finds capabilities of your system when it is first one or not. If it didn't find one and it should run.
  • Page 31 (from the disk or downloaded Open from the ST-4). In order to access any of the Use this command to load an image file from buttons or controls in this window, it must be the disk.
  • Page 32 16 colors to each possible pixel value. Expand 2X This mode can produce some interesting Selecting this item makes the image be displays, but users with only 4 bit video cards expanded to twice its normal size. Page 30 SBIG ST-4/0490...
  • Page 33 "Telescope Factors" section of the host software Each of the parameters are discussed below: description above) as well as some image cropping parameters. Each item is discussed Pixel Data individually below: SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 31...
  • Page 34 These are the angular separation and the This is the intensity of the pixel directly under angle (in degrees, clockwise of vertical) the Crosshair as recorded by the ST-4, and is between the current position of the Crosshair a number from 0 to 255.
  • Page 35 You can exit from selected color table. We suggest you use this Presentation Mode by simply clicking the mouse command whenever you wish to modify an button. SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 33...
  • Page 36 This is a good thing to do if the software didn't bring out stars from an image showing both stars find the ST-4 when it first started up or if you and nebulosity, but once applied to an image, any...
  • Page 37 Dark Subtraction buttons. Clicking in any of the buttons closes Checking this option enables the automatic one of the relays in the ST-4 for 0.2 seconds, dark frame subtraction feature of the ST-4 enabling the drive correction for that button.
  • Page 38 Contrast feature for images downloaded specifying the desired region to work with on from the ST-4. subsequent images. Images captured in the Focus Mode can of Don't Ask to Save on DL...

  • Page 39: Observing Suggestions With The St-4 Imaging Camera

    SBIG plans to sell a filter set and program which will make this measurement The ST-4 lends itself well to many types of automatic, allowing an entire field of stars to be observations. Even a modest 2.4 inch refractor portrayed in different colors corresponding to with no drive can be used to do scientific work.

  • Page 40: Problem Solving With The

    SBIG. Note that the ST-4 tracker is capable of better MESSAGE: E1 1 (or 2, 3 or 4) correction than a human because it averages the This message appears when the instrument...

  • Page 41: Santa Barbara Instrument Group

    SBIG ANTA ARBARA NSTRUMENT ROUP using a guide star centered 1 degree away from the field of view of your camera this effect would cause each star to form a streak about 2.6 arcseconds long. SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 39...

  • Page 43: Santa Barbara, Ca 93150

    SBIG ANTA ARBARA NSTRUMENT ROUP PPENDIX The tables below show the pin-outs of the four connectors on the ST-4 and the colors of the wires on the cables supplied with the unit. Pin Number Function Color +X, Common Gray +X, Normally Closed (NC)
  • Page 44 SBIG ANTA ARBARA NSTRUMENT ROUP Telephone (805) 969-1851 FAX (805) 969-0299 Page 42 SBIG ST-4/0490...
  • Page 45 Index Dark frame..........1, 4, 12, 13 Dark frame subtraction ADJUST button ............. 4 host ..............2 Angular separation ..........10 ST-4..............13 Anti-blooming gate ..........13 Declination............2, 5 Aperture area............9 Dew ................ 2 Atmospheric transmission........9 Diffuse magnitude ..........10 Atmospheric turbulence ........
  • Page 46 ............15 Magnitudes............10 zooming ............11 Making the camera connection......11 Imaging MENU button ............4 full frame mode..........14 Menu items (ST-4)..........6 moon ..............7 b (boost factor) ..........4 planets............7, 13 bA (brightness adjust) ........4 quarter frame mode ........14 CA (calibration adjust) ........4 spot frame mode ...........14 EA (exposure adjust) ........4...
  • Page 47 Typical star intensities ........15 Typical VALUE readings........5 U - Z UP button............... 5 VALUE display ............. 3 Vertical flip ............10 Viewing images ........... 15 X coordinate............9 Y coordinate............9 Zooming images..........11 SBIG ST-4/0489 Page 45...

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