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How to Use a SBIG Camera

A SBIG (Santa Barbara Instrument Group) camera is an astronomical CCD camera. The CCD camera is placed in optical alignment on a telescope, replacing the eyepiece that you use when visually viewing an object. The camera is then used to take exposures, in some cases for many hours, of celestial objects such as the sun, moon, planets and deep-sky objects. The camera then produces a digital image that can be downloaded into a computer for further analysis.

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the ocular (eyepiece) from your telescope. Attach the SBIG camera by inserting the nosepiece of the camera into the eyepiece holder on the telescope but do not release the camera. While holding the camera (to support the weight), rebalance your telescope by moving the optical tube assemble (OTA) forward. When the OTA is balanced, let go of the camera and the telescope will stay in position.
- 2
  Turn on the power to the SBIG camera. The camera needs to warm up for several minutes before use. Depending on the model, electronic cooling of the CCD sensor will begin and reduce inherent noise within the digital images you will take. Connect the SBIG camera to your computer with the supplied cables (this connection will vary depending on the model of camera and type of computer) and turn on the computer.
- 3
  Use the telescope's viewfinder to align the telescope with the object you wish to image. Use your imaging software to take an image so that you can begin to focus the camera. Depending on the type of computer and the software that you are using, you may be able to get a real-time view or you may need to take an image and allow it to be displayed onto the computer screen.
- 4
  Increase or decrease the exposure time to obtain the best possible digital image. Faint objects may need several hours of exposure time to be visible, while bright objects need less time.
- 5
  Use electronic tracking to move the telescope during long exposures. This movement will compensate for the Earth's rotation and keep your celestial subject within the CCD camera's field of view. If your telescope does not have electronic tracking, you may be restricted to short exposures (approximately 10 seconds or less, depending on the field of view).

Astronomy