Starlight Xpress CCD Cameras

 

 

Latest Price list click here  *

* Summer 2009 - temperature regulation introduced - All items on price list with SXVR designation

 

SXVF-H9 MONOCHROME CAMERA

 

                 

The SXV-H9 ExView camera is the Worlds first USB2.0 camera for astronomy. The CCD has 1392 x 1040 pixels in a 8.9 x 6.7mm array. The peak QE is approximately 67% at 540nM and exceeds 50% at H-alpha wavelengths. This exceptional QE is allied with a super low dark signal and excellent anti-blooming characteristics, making it by far the best cooled ABG camera on the market.The internal USB2.0 interface will download a full resolution image in about 3.7 seconds, or 7 seconds on USB1.1. The built in parallel port permits the ability to autoguide with the addition of a dedicated miniature guide camera. This reduces the complex tangle of cables and coolant pipes, often associated with competitive cameras, to a single USB connection.

The autoguider and auxiliary functions
The rear panel of the SXVF-H9 provides multiple inputs and outputs, as shown. The autoguider output is opto-isolated and will drive any standard active-low guider input via an RJ11 'telephone' lead. The Parallel and serial socket is an 18 way latching high density connector, which provides both power and control signals for the external guide camera. It also carries two RS232 serial ports for external device control. If the serial ports are not required, the guide camera may be connected directly to this socket, otherwise a small 'port divider' box can be connected in-line and presents the two serial outputs on standard 9 pin 'D' plugs.

Major features:
Large, high resolution 'Exview' CCD chip, with 1,447,680 x 6.45uM pixels in a 9 x 6.7mm array
Exceptionally high QE over an extremely wide spectral range from near UV to deep IR
Exceptionally low dark signal - No dark frames necessary for most deep sky objects
Exceptionally effective anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
Built-in very high speed USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible) for sub-4 second downloads
Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera Click here for more details
Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC
Compact and lightweight - only 63mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 400 grams load on the 'scope!
    Problems that you don't get (or want!):
NO problems finding and tracking guide stars through dense colour filters with the external guider!
NO expensive third party guide cameras needed!
NO fans, water pipes, pumps, buckets or mess!
NO complex and dangerous cable tangles!
NO time wasted on recording large numbers of dark frames!
NO ugly blooming streaks to spoil your images, or that need hours of work to clean up!
NO residual 'ghost' images that need flushing out between shots!
NO significant microlens artefacts or picture-high bright columns!
NO desiccant capsules to regenerate regularly and no resulting dust on the CCD window!
NO CCD dewing problems!
 

                                                                    SXVF-M7   CAMERA

An SXV version of the MX716 - Super sensitivity at a low cost.

       

Specifications:
 CCD type: Sony ICX429AL Exview CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.2uM x 8.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels
 CCD Image area: 6.3mm (Horizontal) x 4.76mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 10 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~70%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 650nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 12 electrons RMS - typically only 10 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 70,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 1.3 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. Also works with USB 1.1.
 Image download time: Typically 1 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0, approximately 2 seconds with USB 1.1.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with single stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.
 Size: 50 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 
 Weight: approx. 200g.


SXVF-M5 CAMERA

      

 Specifications:
 CCD type: Sony ICX405AL SuperHAD CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 9.8uM x 6.3uM, Image format: 500 x 580 pixels
 CCD Image area: 4.9mm (Horizontal) x 3.65mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 10 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~60%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 600nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 13 electrons RMS - typically only 11 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 60,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 1 electron per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. Also works with USB 1.1.
 Image download time: Typically 1 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0, approximately 2 seconds with USB 1.1.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with single stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.
 Size: 50 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 
 Weight: approx. 250g.
 

SXVF-H5 CAMERA

      

An SXV version of the HX516 - High resolution at a low cost.

Specifications:
 CCD type: Sony ICX424AL SuperHAD CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 7.4uM x 7.4uM, Image format: 660 x 494 pixels
 CCD Image area: 4.9mm (Horizontal) x 3.65mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 10 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~60%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 600nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 13 electrons RMS - typically only 11 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 30,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 0.4 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. Also works with USB 1.1.
 Image download time: Typically 2 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0, approximately 4 seconds with USB 1.1.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with single stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.
 Size: 50 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 
 Weight: approx. 250g.
SXVF-M9 CAMERA

SXVF-M9

 

       

An SXV version of the MX916 - Super sensitivity and large area at a low cost.

Specifications:
 CCD type: Sony ICX423AL SuperHAD CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 11.2uM x 11.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels
 CCD Image area: 8.6mm (Horizontal) x 6.5mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 10 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~55%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 600nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 12 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 100,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 2 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. Also works with USB 1.1.
 Image download time: Typically 1 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0, approximately 2 seconds with USB 1.1.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with single stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.
 Size: 63 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 
 Weight: approx. 350g.


SXV-AG - The SXV guide camera

 

 

 

  



The rear panel of the SXV-H9 provides multiple inputs and outputs, as shown. The autoguider output is opto-isolated and will drive any standard active-low guider input via an RJ11 'telephone' lead. The Parallel and serial socket is an 18 way latching high density connector, which provides both power and control signals for the external guide camera. It also carries two RS232 serial ports for external device control. If the serial ports are not required, the guide camera may be connected directly to this socket, otherwise a small 'port divider' box can be connected in-line and presents the two serial outputs on standard 9 pin 'D' plugs.
 

 

 

                                                                            Lodestar autoguide Camera

 

               

 

Detailed specifications:

CCD type: ICX429AL Sony Exview interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.

CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.2uM x 8.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels

CCD Image area: 6.4mm (Horizontal) x 4.75mm (Vertical).

CCD quality: Grade 1

Spectral Response: QE max at 620nM (~65%), 35% at 400nM and 770nM.

Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 10 electrons.

Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)

Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.

Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 1 hour. Less than 0.1 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.

Data format: 16 bits.

System gain: 0.9 electrons per ADU

Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.

Image download time: Typically 0.2 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.

Power requirements: USB powered.

Cooling system: Ambient air cooling.

Size: 32 x 72mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 25 x 0.75mm 'C mount' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear.

Weight: approx. 50g.

 

 

The SXV-AO

Active optics for the SX camera user

 

               

 

Image tracking and stabilisation using a high speed tip-tilt optical window
Fast tracking speed of 5mS per increment
Overcomes rapid gear errors to stabilise even difficult mounts
Mount control output for correcting large drive errors while maintaining AO stabilisation
Image shift factor independent of optical system or camera back-focus spacing
Off-axis guider assembly (optional) for use with an SXV guide camera
STAR2000 guiding compatible
May be used to image stabilise many other makes and types of camera, given suitable control software
Clear aperture of 37mm for up to APS size chips
Short optical length - 64mm with OAG, 38mm without.
Very low light loss (~2%) from the multicoated optics
Filter recess for adding narrow band. IR blocking or pollution rejection filters without affecting the guide camera sensitivity
Serial RS232 control via the computer or SXV splitter box. Parallel control available
Low power consumption. Less than 600 mA at 12v DC when moving - 50mA quiescent current
Compact and lightweight - only 112mm in diameter x 32mm long - less than 500 grams load on the 'scope
 

The SXV-AO should be used with the off-axis guider for the best results with most optical systems. This combination uses an SXV guide head to view the edge of the telescope field via a 10mm square prism and provides accurate positional feedback to the control software. Unlike cameras with an integrated guider chip, the OAG puts the guide camera ahead of any filters that the user fits into the camera ring recess and so its sensitivity is always at maximum. The guide camera mounting is designed to be parfocal with an SX camera when used in this combination - fine focus adjustment is provided by moving the threaded guider mount along the prism tube.

STAR2000 cameras may be used directly without the OAG, but the AO correction rate must be kept reasonably slow, or amplifier glow effects may become a serious issue.



    SXVF-H35 AND H36 LARGE FORMAT CAMERAS

 

       

The SXVF-H35 and H36 cameras are the largest in the SX line of Kodak CCD based imagers. To reduce the negative effects of the greater Kodak dark signal, we have used a two stage Peltier cooler for an extra 10 degree reduction in the CCD temperature, and a new high-speed USB2 interface circuit to greatly reduce the download time. The fast download minimises the visibility of bias frame artefacts, such as hot columns and the top to bottom gradient that is commonly seen on such chips. The camera shown on this page is the H36, as both versions have a closely similar appearance

Major features:
SXVF-H35:
Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 10,838,016 x 9uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm array. 
High sensitivity, approx. 52% QE at peak (green light), 31% at H alpha.
Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 7 second downloads
Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
Compact and lightweight - only 118mm in diameter x 102mm long - less than 1100 grams load on the telescope.
72 x 1mm input thread, compatible with Takahashi FSQ106 etc.

 

 SXVF-H36:
Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 16,085,120 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm array. 
High sensitivity, approx. 52% QE at peak (green light), 31% at H alpha.
Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 10 second downloads
Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
Compact and lightweight - only 118mm in diameter x 102mm long - less than 1100 grams load on the telescope.
72 x 1mm input thread, compatible with Takahashi FSQ106 etc.

Detailed specifications:

 

SXVF-H35
    CCD type: Kodak KAI11002M interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 9uM x 9uM, Image format: 4032 x 2688 pixels
 CCD Image area: 36.3mm (Horizontal) x 24.2mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 2 as standard.
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~52%), 30% at 400nM and 660nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 12 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 hours. Less than 0.08 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 0.9 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
 Image download time: Typically 7 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with two stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
 Size: 98 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 72 x 1mm thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
 Weight: approx. 1100g.
 Spectral response and QE curve 

 

SXVF-H36
 CCD type: Kodak KAI16000M interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 7.4uM x 7.4uM, Image format: 4904 x 3280 pixels
 CCD Image area: 36.3mm (Horizontal) x 24.2mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 2 available at this time.
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~52%), 30% at 400nM and 660nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 12 electrons RMS - typically only 9 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 30,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 hours. Less than 0.05 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 0.4 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
 Image download time: Typically 10 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with two stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
 Size: 118 x 102mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 72 x 1mm thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
 Weight: approx. 1100g.

 Spectral response and QE curve 
 

SXVF-H16

The SXV-H16 is a departure from the normal SX line of Sony CCD based cameras. As Sony do not manufacture a large mono chip, we researched the available devices and decided that the Kodak KAI4021M was the best option for a new mono camera. To reduce the negative effects of the greater Kodak dark signal, we have used a two stage Peltier cooler for a 10 degree reduction in the CCD temperature, and a new high-speed USB2 interface circuit to greatly reduce the download time. The fast download minimises the visibility of bias frame artefacts, such as hot columns and the top to bottom gradient that is commonly seen on such chips. We think that the result is a highly satisfactory mono camera which overcomes the lack of suitable Sony mono devices.

 

  Major features:
Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 4,194,304 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 15.15 x 15.15mm array. 
High sensitivity, 55% QE at peak (green light).
Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 2.5 second downloads
Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 500 grams load on the 'scope!
 

 

Specifications:
 CCD type: Kodak KAI4021M interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
 CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 7.4uM x 7.4uM, Image format: 2048 x 2048 pixels
 CCD Image area: 15.15mm (Horizontal) x 15.15mm (Vertical).
 CCD quality: Grade 2 or better - No dead columns, no dead pixels.
 Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~55%), 30% at 400nM and 660nM. 
 Readout Noise: Less than 10 electrons RMS - typically only 7 electrons. 
 Full-well capacity: Greater than 40,000 e- (unbinned)
 Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 100x.
 Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 hours. Less than 0.05 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
 Data format: 16 bits.
 System gain: 0.6 electrons per ADU
 Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
 Image download time: Typically 2.5 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
 Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.
 Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with two stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
 Size: 75 x 100mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
 Weight: approx. 400g.
 Spectral response and QE curve 
 

 

 

 

Details/specifications on the Starlight Xpress Website

 

      

Enquiries/orders:  sales@trutek-uk.com