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Section 6 - Accessories for your CCD Camera
Page 41
6.5. AO-7 and Lucy-Richardson Software
The AO-7 is the world's only Adaptive Optics accessory for the amateur CCD market and it
works only with the self guided feature of the ST-7E/8E/9E/10E. The AO-7 is essentially an
electromechanical driven diagonal mirror that goes between the camera and the telescope.
Using the AO-7 allows corrections to be made at rates up to 40 Hz. This yields perfect,
backlash-free guiding and allows removal of some atmospheric effects. When used in
conjunction with the CCDSharp software stellar peak brightness can double and stellar half-
widths can shrink by 25%.
6.6. SGS - Self-Guided Spectrograph
The SGS Self Guided Spectrograph takes the tedium out of spectroscopy by allowing you to
image and guide the source on the tracking CCD while acquiring its spectra on the imaging
CCD. No more hunting around to place the object on the slit! With the SGS you can measure
galactic redshifts, stellar classifications and determine nebular constituency. This is another
example of the value of a self-guided camera like the ST-7E/8E/9E/10E.
6.7. Third Party Products and Services
There are numerous third party products and services available directed to the CCD user. We
mention a few to give you an idea of the ever increasing interest in this new technology.
Scanning through the pages of Sky & Telescope, CCD Astronomy, or Astronomy magazine
reveals many third-party vendors of CCD accessories and software.
6.7.1. Windows Software
If you are a user interested in using Windows software with your camera, SBIG has CCDOPS
for Windows. In addition, after January 2001, all SBIG cameras will include CCDSoftV5 which
is a joint software development of SBIG and Software Bisque. There are also several other
commercial Windows programs available which include a stellar database, telescope control for
computerized telescopes like the Meade LX200, and CCD camera functions in an integrated
package.
6.7.2. Image Processing Software
There are a host of image processing software packages capable of reading and processing TIFF
files and new packages are being developed which will read and process SBIG image formats
as well. In addition to commercial software, on-line services like CompuServe and GEnie have
many public domain and shareware programs available through their Astronomy interest
groups.
6.7.3. Getting Hardcopy
One older way of producing a hard copy of images taken with the CCD camera is to simply
take a photograph of the computer screen while the image is displayed. It is best to use a long
lens and step back from the monitor to reduce the appearance of the curvature of the edges of