Celestron Nightscape 8300 CCD Camera

The high sensitivity of this CCD camera is very useful for deep sky photography, with it you can capture any detail, however slight. The Kodak KAF 8300 sensor offers sensitivity and spectral response to capture true color images without the need for filter casters. It allows long exposures without losing quality of the details of the deep sky, nebulae, galaxies, etc ...
It incorporates a thermoelectric cooling system and an integrated fan, these provide a flow or flow of laminar air without vibrations, if the thermal noise inherent in the image sensors is reduced. With this system, image clarity is gained.
Its compact 10-centimeter diameter design offers minimal obstruction for compatibility with the Fastar f / 2 system. Its symmetrical round aluminum body resembles the circular format of the secondary mirror of a Cassegrain telescope, which ensures that point stars are obtained with minimal light diffraction. In addition, the distance to the sensor is similar to that of most DSLR cameras, making it possible to adapt using a wide variety of classic T adapters.

The Celestron AstroFX program will guide you step-by-step through the imaging and processing process. AstroFX gives you full control of your camera from temperature regulation, through exposure control, to computer-assisted focus for easy image acquisition.

Characteristics:

• KAF-8300 CCD with high resolution, low noise and high sensitivity.
  
• 22.5mm diagonal CCD sensor with 8.3 megapixel resolution.
  
• Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) - Thermoelectric regulation and integrated fan to reduce thermal noise.
  
• The advanced cooling system and 16-bit A / D converter offers a much lower noise level than DSLR camera sensors. For this reason, this camera can be an ideal upgrade for those users who want to obtain greater details in each exposure.
  
• Internal mechanical shutter that makes it easy to get dark shots without covering the telescope.
  
• AstroFX Program - It will guide you step by step during the process of obtaining and processing images.
  
• 32MB image storage SDRAM buffer to continue obtaining images while downloading others.
  
• Optical IR blocking window with anti-reflection treatment that offers a transmission close to 94% in the wavelength of Alpha Hydrogen.
  
• 50.8mm diameter adapter with thread for 50.8mm filters.
  
• Includes the ASCOM driver for use with other popular image capture programs.
  

CCD Specifications

• CCD: Kodak KAF-8300 color
  
• Pixel matrix: 3326 x 2504 pixels / 17.9 x 13.5mm
  
• Total number of pixels: 8.3 million
  
• Pixel size: 5.4 x 5.4 micron
  
• Pixel Capacity: ~ 25,000e-
  
• Dark current: <0.15e- / pixel / sec
  

Reading Specifications

• Shutter: Internal Mechanic
  
• Exposure: 0.001 seconds to 24 hours
  
• A / D converter: 16 bit
  
• Reading noise: 8e-
  
• Binning modes: 2 × 2
  
• Image acquisition time: ~ 12 seconds with USB 2.0
  

System specs

• Standard cooling system: Thermoelectric with integrated fan, cooling down to -20º C
  
• Power: 12V DC
  
• Computer connection: USB 2.0 port
  
• Computer Compatibility: Windows XP / Vista / 7
  

Physical dimensions

• Optical head Size: 10cm Ø
  
• Weight: 0.9Kg
  
• Mount Adapter: 50.8mm Ø
  
• Focal plane: 26 to 55mm
  

System Requirements

• Pentium or equivalent processor or higher
  
• Windows XP, Vista, or 7 (or higher), 32-bit or 64-bit
  
• 1GB of RAM
  
• 500MB of disk space
  
• 1024 × 768 video card, 16-bit color or higher