Related Manuals for Diffraction SBIG StarChaser
Summary of Contents for Diffraction SBIG StarChaser
- Page 1 ® SBIG StarChaser Off-Axis Guiding Cameras User’s Manual Version 2.0 - December 20, 2019 DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 2 59 Grenfell Crescent, Unit B, Ottawa, ON Canada, K2G 0G3 Telephone: 613-225-2732 Fax: 613-225-9688 © 2019 Diffraction Limited. All rights reserved. Cyanogen Imaging®, SBIG®, and Aluma® are registered trademarks of Diffraction Limited. StarChaser, SC-2, SC-3, ST-4, STF, STX, STXL, MaxIm DL, MaxIm LT are trademarks of Diffraction Limited.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
SBIG StarChaser User’s Manual Table of Contents 1 - The SBIG StarChaser Guiders ................4 2 – Supplied components ..................7 3 – Installing the software ..................8 3.1 System requirements ....................8 3.2 Windows installation ....................8 3.3 MacOS and Linux Drivers .................. -
Page 4: The Sbig Starchaser Guiders
There are two models of the SBIG StarChaser, designated SC-2 for 2-inch diameter cameras, and SC-3 for 3-inch diameter cameras. The StarChaser SC-2 works with the STF and Aluma series cameras and filter wheels, as well as the FW8S-STT filter wheel for STT cameras. - Page 5 Adaptive Optics Control Thanks to the SBIG StarChaser, our renowned Adaptive Optics (AO) technology is now available for virtually our entire camera line! Our AO-8A and AO-X units bolt onto the front of the StarChaser SC-2 and SC-3 respectively, which in turn are attached to your SBIG standard filter wheels and cameras.
- Page 6 The StarChaser requires only a +12V power supply (included) and a USB 2.0 mini cable (6 foot / 2 meter cable included). It can send guider commands to the telescope either via ASCOM PulseGuide or the included ST-4 style guide cable. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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Page 7: Supplied Components
SC-3 only: Four 6-32 x 1-1/8" socket head cap screws 7/64-inch hex key wrench SC-2 only: Flat adapter plate 2.156 x 24 (40-12053-00) (SC-3 uses the adapter plate from your main camera) SC-2 only: 2” Nosepiece adapter with cap (40-12121-00) USB flash drive DIFFRACTION LIMITED... -
Page 8: Installing The Software
3 – Installing the software The MaxIm LT imaging application supplied with your SBIG StarChaser allows you to operate it using a Windows computer. The application is found on the flash drive included with your camera. Drivers (excluding application software) are also provided for the Mac and Linux operating systems. -
Page 9: Macos And Linux Drivers
Imaging Driver (Aluma) folder. Browse to this folder when prompted during the installation. 8. StarChaser uses the DL Imaging driver package. Download the latest drivers and camera configuration utility from the Diffraction Limited website at: https://diffractionlimited.com/down/SetupDLAPI.exe 9. When the download is complete, open Windows Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder, then double-click the SetupDLAPI.exe file. -
Page 10: Installing The Starchaser Hardware
If you want to attach the StarChaser SC-2 directly to the camera in place of a filter wheel, you can purchase a Filter Wheel Spacer (CA-FWSPACER) from Diffraction Limited. The StarChaser SC-3 does not require a spacer and can be attached directly to the front of your camera. - Page 11 StarChaser and align the four mounting holes with those on the guider. 7. For SC-3 only: Attach the Adapter Plate (10018) that was supplied with the camera over the StarChaser and align the four mounting holes with those on the guider. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 12 4 in through the top of the adapter plate. 9. Thread and tighten the four screws into the filter wheel. The StarChaser is now ready to be configured and adjusted. Proceed to section 5 – Setting up the StarChaser. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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Page 13: Setting Up The Starchaser
5 – Setting up the StarChaser The SBIG StarChaser includes the MaxIm LT application, and this section describes how to set up the guider with that software. MaxIm LT allows full configuration and control of the SBIG StarChaser. This procedure details the basic steps to configure and adjust the StarChaser to get it ready for autoguiding. - Page 14 9. Click the Settings item under the main File menu. In the Settings window click the Site and Optics tab and enable the Same as main scope checkbox in the Guide Telescope block. Click OK to finish. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 15 MaxIm DL Pro if you are using the DC-3 Dreams ACP Observatory Control software to control the telescope. The ST-4 cable is not necessary for this option either. Choose your desired method and then click OK to finish. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 16 Configure your filter positions, names, and focus offsets as desired in the list. Click the OK button to accept your settings and close the form. f. Configure the StarChaser under Camera 2. Click the Setup Camera button and select DL Imaging as the Camera Model. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 17 Use the default values and close the form. i. Back in the Camera Control window, press the Connect button. This connects your main imaging camera and the StarChaser. j. Proceed to 5.2 Pick-off mirror adjustment and focusing. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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Page 18: Pick-Off Mirror Adjustment And Focusing
8. If vignetting is still present, repeat steps 4 to 7 until the vignetting is removed or minimized. Otherwise, proceed to step 9. Once the pick-off mirror has been properly positioned, it should only require re-adjustment if you mount your camera assembly on another telescope type or otherwise change your optical configuration. DIFFRACTION LIMITED... - Page 19 13. Perform the standard guider calibration procedure in your MaxIm LT or MaxIm DL Pro software to calibrate the StarChaser. Refer to the online Help file for procedural details. When the calibration is complete, your StarChaser is ready for guided imaging! DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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Page 20: Installing An Adaptive Optics Unit
For SC-2: If you want to use an AO-8T (the STT version) instead of the AO-8A, note that the connector is a different type. You can use Adapter Cable (11044) available separately from Diffraction Limited for this purpose. The adapter cable plugs directly into the male connector on the AO-8T housing and the pigtail connector is not used. - Page 21 4-40 x 1-inch screws (for SC-2) or 6-32 x 1-1/8" screws (for SC-3). 8. Carefully place the AO body and front plate back onto the rear plate and fasten them together using the four screws removed in step 5. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 22 13. For SC-3: Connect the Adapter Cable (11044) between the AO-X unit’s C OUT port and the StarChaser SC-3 AUX port. 14. Apply power to the main imaging camera and the StarChaser. 15. Launch MaxIm LT and click the Camera Control icon to open the Camera Control window. DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
- Page 23 20. Perform either the standard guider or AO calibration procedure in your MaxIm LT or MaxIm DL Pro software to calibrate the StarChaser. Refer to the online Help file for procedural details. When the calibration is complete, your StarChaser is ready for guided imaging! DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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Page 24: Maintenance
The StarChaser Off-Axis Guiding Camera requires only minimal maintenance. Use cotton swabs and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean the pick-off mirror if it becomes necessary. Never re-use a cotton swab - use only fresh ones. Apply only gentle pressure with the cotton swab during cleaning. DIFFRACTION LIMITED... -
Page 25: Specifications
1280 x 1024 pixels, 4.8 micron square pixels 10-bit ADC readout Power: Approximately 300 mA Dimensions: 6.97 x 4.25 x 0.80 inches (177 x 108 x 20.3 mm) Weight: Approximately 0.6 pounds (273 gm) Optical back focus: 0.80 inch (20.3 mm) DIFFRACTION LIMITED... - Page 26 1280 x 1024 pixels, 4.8 micron square pixels 10-bit ADC readout Power: Approximately 300 mA Dimensions: 8.35 x 4.35 x 0.87 inches (212 x 110 x 22.1 mm) Weight: Approximately 0.9 pounds (400 gm) Optical back focus: 0.87 inch (22.1 mm) DIFFRACTION LIMITED...
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