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Section 6 - Accessories for your CCD Camera
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reservoir from a significant height above it, such a 0.3 meter (12 inches). Lastly, check for
leaks!
When using water cooling, avoid the temptation to put ice in the water to get the
camera even colder. As the cooling booster is designed, the camera will not be cooled below
ambient temperature if ambient temperature water is used. If colder water is used, the head
may fog or frost up, depending on the dew point. . The exposed electronics inside the ST-7/8
will get wet, and corrode. The hoses will start dripping condensation, and you will have a
mess. Keep the ice for a cold drink!
At the end of the evening, stop the pump, and raise the outlet hose above the camera to
let all the water drain out of the system. Blowing it out with gently pressure helps clear the
water. You can leave the hoses full of water, but if a leak occurs while you’re not there you
may have a problem.
When packing the camera for a long time, or at the end of summer, disconnect the
hoses and blow out the heat sink to allow the enclosed spaces to dry out and minimize long
term corrosion.
6.2. Tri-color Imaging
You can make splendid color images with your CCD camera by using the optional CFW-8
color filter wheel. The CFW-8 attaches to the front of the CCD head and allows you to take
images in red, green and blue light of the same object. When these images are aligned and
processed a full color image results. (Note: Due to the large size of the imaging CCD in the ST-
1001E, the CFW8 will not work with this model camera. A filter wheel with 2" filters is recommended).
6.3. Camera Lens Adapters and Eyepiece Projection
Camera Lens adapters are available for the ST-7E/8E/9E/10E/1001E. The camera lens adapter
allows you to mount your camera lens in place of the telescope for very wide field views of the
night sky or for daytime terrestrial imaging. The adapters are available for a variety of the
most common camera lenses in use.
The cameras themselves can be used for eyepiece projection assuming you already have
a T-thread eyepiece projection adapter for. Instead of attaching a 35mm camera to the T-thread
camera adapter you can attach the CCD camera by unscrewing the T-Thread nosepiece fom the
front of the camera.
6.4. Focal Reducers
Several third party vendors, including Optec, Celestron and Meade, make focal reducers for
their telescopes that could be used with the ST-7E/8E/9E/10E cameras. While most will work
with the ST-7 some may have slight amounts of vignetting when used on the larger ST-
8E/9E/10E. As of this writing we have not tested any focal reducers with the ST-1001E
Note: Many very fast (F/3.3) commercial units will not accommodate a filter wheel.