OpticStar DS-145 ICE Deep Sky CCD Camera

Item#: FAR017

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Description

Sony ICX285AL 1.4 Megapixel 2/3" CCD (monochrome) / Sony ICX285AQ 1.4 Megapixel 2/3" CCD (color)
Monochrome CCD: 1434 x 1050 pixels
Colour CCD: 1434 x 1050 pixels
Pixel size 6.45µm x 6.45µm
Quantum Efficiency (max): 62%
Noise reduction electronics
Gain functionality in hardware
Preview mode @ 1434x1050: 3.5fps
Raw 16-bit image transfer @ 1434x1050: 0.5 second approximately
Binning modes: 1x1, 2x2, 4x4
Data output: 16-bit or 8-bit raw
Exposure time: 3ms to over 1 hour
Robust all metal case
Sealed sensor and electronics
Peltier cooled with fan assist,
up to 30°C below ambient
USB 2.0 high-speed interface
Focusing preview mode
2.5 meters in-situ USB cable
High quality regulated PSU
Full Nebulosity software included for camera control and image processing
Bundled plug-ins: AstroArt & MaxIm DL
Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7

Outline
The DS-145M/C ICE Peltier cooled camera with fan-assist is a native 1.4 mega-pixel 16-bit greyscale CCD imager with a large and highly sensitive EXview Sony HAD Chip of 2/3" diagonal (ICX285AL).

The DS145M/C ICE uses the all new Z-MAX high-speed platform which adds a host of desirable features to this high quality camera.

Unlike other cameras in its class, gain support, noise reduction and black level are all implemented in the camera hardware and applied to the signal prior to the data been sent to the PC, thus ensuring the highest quality signal and brightest image possible at typical speeds of 3.5fps @ 1434x1050 in uncompressed RAW format.

A substantial heatsink, over five times the mass of the typical heatsink in comparable cameras, rapidly draws the heat away from the sensor via a powerful Peltier thermocouple. This heat is then rapidly dissipated into the atmosphere with the assistance of an essential 60mm diameter fan thus bringing noise levels down to a minimum.

Hardware Gain
The camera's advanced features can easily be demostrated in StarView. The StarView mode is a real time video mode with exposure times up to 10 seconds per frame. There is no need to use any bias frames or perform any colour synthesis. StarView outputs the images in colour by default. Deep sky objects become visible in real time, making focusing much easier and quicker.

The Gain function does not simply boost the signal evenly, it also improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio dramatically. In fact, as the Gain increases the S/N ratio increase is 10:1. This is possible due to the camera's build-in noise reduction electronics.

High Quality Construction
The camera electronics and sensor are housed inside a high quality aluminium body that entirely seals the sensor and on-board electronics from the outside environment. This is important as it protects the camera internals from high humidity and water running down the telescope and into the camera damaging the electronics or sensor, quite common in inadequate camera designs.

The camera relies for fast data transfers on an efficient USB2.0 sub-system specially designed for the DS-145M ICE. The camera is powered via a high quality regulated mains power supply included with the camera and comes with all cables, adapters and software needed to be able to use the camera out of the box.