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Section 3 - At the Telescope with a CCD Camera
Page 16
*
DEC
RA
Figure 3.1 Orientation of the Optical Head Viewed from Back.
(Pixel 1,1 is at the upper left in this view)
3.3. Establishing a Communications Link
When the CCDOPS program is initiated it will automatically attempt to establish a link to the
camera. This involves identifying the type of CCD head. If the software is successful the
"Link" field in the Status Window is updated to show the type of camera found. If the camera
is not connected, powered up, or the LPT port setting has not yet been properly set, a message
will be displayed indicating that the software failed to establish a link to the camera. If this
happens, use the Communications Setup command in the Misc menu to configure the
CCDOPS software for the LPT port you are using. Then use the Establish COM Link command
in the Camera Menu to establish communications with the camera.
Note: It is not necessary to have a camera connected to your computer to run the software and
display images already saved onto disk. It is only necessary to have a camera connected
when you take new images.
Once the COM link has been established you may need to set the camera's setpoint
temperature in the Camera Setup command. The ST-7E, ST-8E and ST-9E power up regulating
to whatever temperature the CCD is at, which in this case will be the ambient temperature.
Use the Camera Setup command and choose a setpoint temperature approximately 30°C below
the ambient temperature. Type in the setpoint, set the temperature control to active, and hit
ENTER.
3.4. Focusing the CCD Camera
Focusing a CCD camera can be a tedious operation, so a few hints should be followed. Before
using the software to focus the camera the first time you should place a diffuser (such as scotch
tape or ground glass) at the approximate location of the CCD's sensitive surface behind the
eyepiece tube and focus the telescope on the moon, a bright planet or a distant street lamp.