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19.2.2024
Articles
Gx cameras articles
What is Residual Bulk Image and how to deal with it
14.6.2013
Front-Illuminated Full-Frame CCD detectors suffer from kind of visual memory effect. Bright parts of the previously acquired image are visible as weak and blurred image on the following exposures, even if they are dark frames, taken with a shutter closed. This effect is called Residual Bulk Image (RBI) and it can harm long exposures, create false images of nebulae or traces of bright stars. It is possible to deal with RBI if we understand mechanisms behind this effect—we can adopt the observing program or it is possible to eliminate RBI by leveling the conditions within CCD using the near infra-red light flood before every exposure (IR preflash).
G1-1200 autoguider and planetary camera—high sensitivity meets low cost
14.11.2013
The G1 series of CCD cameras was extended with a new model G1-1200. The Sony ICX445 CCD detector, used in this camera, is produced using EXview HAD technology and offers high quantum efficiency, comparable to cameras employing much more expensive ICX285 CCD. The 1/3" detector format (4.9 × 3.6 mm) as well as small pixels (3.75 × 3.75 μm) suit to short focal length guiding telescopes. G1-1200 is also good for capturing Moon and planets.
Off-Axis Guider adapter for G2 CCD cameras
13.6.2018
Guiding of telescope mount is a necessity for really long exposures even if a high-quality mount is used and mass produced cheap mounts require guiding even for short exposures. Guiding camera repeatedly images a selected star or a star pattern. Computer calculates differences in measured position and performs slight corrections to the mount to compensate for mechanical irregularities and other factors, e.g. refraction. Guiding camera can be attached to separate guiding telescope or off-axis guider can be used to feed the guiding camera with the light gathered by the main telescope, used for imaging. If the guider camera uses the same optics as the main imaging camera, it is crucially important to divert the light for it before the light reaches the filters. Numerous filter has so low light transmission (e.g. photometric B or UV filters, narrow-band filters etc.), that they effectively disable guiding with the exception of a very few very bright stars.
Large format G4-9000 and G4-16000 cooled CCD cameras
19.7.2016
Cooled CCD cameras of G4 series contain detectors with 36 × 36 mm area, which is 50% more than photographic full-frame format. G4 camera dimensions are the same like dimensions of G3 series, with the exception of camera head thickness—G4 cameras are somewhat slimmer, because they do not contain internal filter wheel. Also camera handling, software control, power supply and connection to the host PC using fast USB 2.0 interface is the same like in the case of G3 cameras. Filter wheel for 50 × 50 mm square filters (round filters of 50 mm diameter cause vignetting on such large CCD chips) cannot be placed inside the camera head due to limited space. But it is possible to connect external filter wheel for 5 large filters to the G4 camera, the camera head already contains connector for external filter wheel control.
Back focal distances of Gx cameras
1.9.2020
Gx CCD cameras are available in many variants. There are small guiding and planetary G0 and G1 cameras, cooled G2 series, large format G3 and G4 series. G2, G3 and G4 cameras are provided without filter wheel and with internal or external filter wheel. These variants have different mechanical dimensions and naturally offer different back focal distance.
Large format G4-9000 and G4-16000 cooled CCD cameras
27.6.2018
Cooled CCD cameras of G4 series contain detectors with 36 × 36 mm area, which is 50% more than photographic full-frame format. G4 camera dimensions are the same like dimensions of G3 series. Also camera handling, software control, power supply and connection to the host PC using fast USB 2.0 interface is the same like in the case of G3 cameras. Filter wheel for 50 × 50 mm square filters (round filters of 50 mm diameter cause vignetting on such large CCD chips) cannot be placed inside the camera head due to limited space. But it is possible to connect external filter wheels for 5 or 7 large filters to the G4 camera, the camera head already contains connector for external filter wheel control.
New adapter for Canon EOS bayonet capable to hold DSLR Clip-filters
15.3.2011
Usage of various filters in combination with color detectors of digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) is often limited to filters suppressing light pollution. Still, there are various filters intended for placing directly inside the DSLR camera bodies, called clip-filters. These filters are fixed on place using flexuous parts of their thin cells. Moravian Instruments newly introduce a variant of Canon EOS bayonet adapter, capable to hold these clip-filters.
G1 CCD cameras can use all telescope/lens adapters designed for large G2 and G3 cameras
15.3.2011
G1 CCD camera body is equipped with C-mount threaded adapter. 1.25 inch barrel adapter can be threaded into C-mount, so the G1 camera can be used in all telescope focusers, capable to hold standard 1.25 inch eyepiece. But many other standards are used, for instance Canon EOS and Nikon F bayonets, T-threads, Pentax/Praktica M42 × 1 thread lens etc. Large G2 and G3 cameras can support all these standards using appropriate adapter. All these adapters can now be attached also to G1 camera equipped with newly designed interface part, which provides G2-like mounting surface on G1 camera.
G2-8300 CCD Camera
29.12.2014
New model G2-8300 was added to the G2 series of cooled CCD cameras for low-light imaging applications. The KAF8300 CCD detector, used in the new camera, corresponds to the so-called 4/3 standard and its imaging area 18.1 × 13.7 mm is the largest of all detectors used in the G2 series. High resolution (more than 8 MPx) and relatively small pixels (5,4 × 5,4 μm) makes this camera ideal for use with short focal length telescopes (or with ordinary photographic lenses). This camera is also ideal for high-resolution imaging of microscopic samples.
New G3 CCD camera adapter for large TeleVue Paracorr PSB-1100
4.10.2010
T-thread (M42 × 0.75) adapter or M42 × 1 adapter cause vignetting when used with G3-11000. Also common coma correctors (often equipped with T-thread) cause vignetting with this large chip. TeleVue Paracorr PSB-1100 with appropriate adapter must be used with KAI-11000 CCD.
G3-11000, G3-16200, G3-1000 and G3-6300 CCD Cameras
8.11.2018
Large format CCD cameras of the G3 series are designed for up to 24x36 mm (photographic full-frame format) CCD detectors. G3 series inherits from G2 cameras — camera handling, software control, power supply and connection to the host PC using fast USB interface is the same. Design of both series is very similar and although G3 camera head is naturally bigger, it contains all mechanics and electronics and offers only power and USB connectors. As like in the case of G2 cameras, G3 head contains mechanical shutter and integrated filter wheel for five 2-inch filters. Read noise is also limited only by CCD itself so G3 series surpasses competing products. Precisely regulated cooling achieves detector temperatures up to 50 °C below ambient temperature.
G1-1400: powerful entry-level imaging camera and ultimate autoguider
27.11.2009
The G1 series of CCD cameras was extended with a new model G1-1400. Although this model does not offer greatest resolution among G1 cameras (G1-2000 has almost a half more pixels), thanks to bigger pixels the used CCD detector offers the greatest light-collecting area. Also important is the highest quantum efficiency compared to other G1 cameras, especially in red and near-infrared portion of the spectrum. G1-1400 can be used as high-quality entry-level camera for beginner astrophotographers and then can work as excellent automatic guider with exceptionally big detector and very high sensitivity.
G2-2000 and G2-4000 CCD Cameras
29.12.2014
This series of G2 CCD cameras was developed especially with astro-photographers on mind. These cameras utilize sensitive, low noise Kodak KAI Interline-transfer CCD detectors with anti-blooming gates and electronic shutter with short-exposure capability. Updated version of camera electronics with High-speed USB 2.0 interface provides fast image download and very low camera read noise. Other camera features are identical to the G2 series cameras based on Full-frame Kodak KAF CCD detectors—very efficient two-stage Peltier CCD cooling up to 50 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature, simple 12 V DC power supply, compact and robust camera head with mechanical shutter and optional 5 or 6-positions filter wheel.
New G2 CCD camera adapter for Nikon photographic lenses
3.2.2010
Cooled CCD cameras of the G2 series are used not only with astronomical telescopes or microscopes, but also in number of applications requiring usage of common photographic lenses. Lenses with the M42 × 1 thread are outdated and no longer in production. So the only lens system compatible with G2 CCD cameras was Canon EOS bayonet. This is why the a new adapter for G2 cameras was introduced. The adapter is designed for lenses complying to the bayonet of another leading photographic equipment manufacturer—Nikon.
New G1 Camera with 2 MPx Resolution
18.3.2008
CCD cameras of G1 series are used as guiding cameras for guiding telescope mounts or as inexpensive and simple imaging CCD cameras with low noise, 16 bit digitization and very fast image download. New model G1-2000 with resolution 1600 × 1200 pixels was added to the G1 series. CCD detector with 9 mm diagonal is the biggest detector used in the whole G1 series.
New revision of G2 scientific CCD cameras released
18.5.2009
Faster download, even better CCD chip cooling, easier mounting—check what is new in the new revision of G2 series of scientific cooled CCD cameras.
G1 Guider at Work
21.1.2008
No astronomical mount is precise enough to keep the star images perfectly round during long exposures without small corrections. Astronomical CCD cameras and digital SLR cameras allow perfectly sharp and high-resolution images, so only very small irregularity in mount tracking appears as star image deformations. G1 CCD cameras were designed especially with automatic mount guiding on mind, but they are also usable as simple imagers for taking pictures of Moon, planets and also deep space objects.
G0 and G1series of imaging/guiding cameras
8.11.2018
The G0 and G1 series of CCD cameras is based on Sony ICX CCD detectors. Cameras are powered from the USB so they are connected to the PC with only single cable. Standard Autoguider port allows the camera to directly control telescope mount. G0 cameras are similar to ordinary 1.25" eyepiece. G1 camera head is somewhat bigger, because it contains cooling fan, which significantly reduces CCD dark current. G1 cameras are also equipped with standard CS-thread adapter, so they are compatible with various CCTV lenses, microscopes and other devices.
New G2CCD adapter for Canon EOS lenses
10.5.2007
Slow-scan CCD cameras are used not only with large telescopes or microscopes. When large field of view is desired, nothing can beat high-quality SLR or DSLR lens. Lenses with some kind of thread (Tamron T-thread or Praktica M42 thread) become more and more outdated, so Moravian Instruments introduced new adapter for Canon EOS lenses.
New 6-position Filter Wheel for G2CCD Cameras
10.5.2007
The filter wheel, integrated into the G2CCD camera body, provides 5 positions for filters in standard 1.25" threaded cells. The new alternate filter wheel has 6 positions for 1" glass-only filters. Individual filter sockets are not threaded, because there is no standard for 1" filter cell thread. But there are 3 threaded holes for plastic M3 screws to fix the filter in place instead.
G2-0402, G2-1600 and G2-3200 CCD Cameras
29.12.2014
Enhanced series of G2-CCD cameras supports high sensitive, low noise Kodak Full-Frame CCD detectors. High-speed USB 2.0 interface minimizes download time and advanced analog electronics ensures very low read noise. Efficient two-stage Peltier cooling keeps detectors cold to minimize dark current. Compact and robust camera head integrates all electronics, shutter and optional 5 or 6-positions filter wheel.
NEW! G2CCD Cameras with Bigger CCDs and USB 2 Interface
15.1.2007
The new digital electronics module of G2CCD cameras implements USB 2.0 High-speed (480 Mbps) interface. Employing of faster interface and bigger on-board memory allows using of bigger, multi-megapixel chips and speeds up download time. Updated analog electronics promises even lower read noise and better cooling compared to current G2CCD versions.
Filters for G2CCD camera
10.5.2007
The G2CCD cameras are equipped with internal filter wheel with 5 positions for standard 1.25" filters. Camera can be ordered with empty filter wheel, so the user can use own filter. It is also possible to order high-quality filters for (L)RGB imaging, scientific BVRI filters or narrow-band filters.
G2CCD-0400
10.5.2007
Compact, robust, powerful—G2CCD cooled astronomical camera with Kodak blue-enhanced, microlensed KAF-0402ME CCD detector, integrated shutter and 5-positions filter wheel.
Telescope and lens adapters
10.12.2010
The G2 and G3 camera heads are equipped with a bolt square on its front shell, allowing attaching of various telescope adapters to the camera. The back focal distance of both series of CCD cameras is the same, so bot series can use the same adapters. Also custom adapters can be made to fulfill non-standard requirements.
Introduction to CCD Imaging
21.9.2011
CCD detectors caused revolution in observational astronomy comparable to invention of the telescope. They provide very high sensitivity, linear response to light, mechanical stability and mainly astronomical images in the digital form, which can be immediately processed by computers.
G2CCD Camera Head
10.5.2007
Integrated, compact and robust camera head containing all electronics, mechanical shutter and filter wheel was one of the important design targets of G2 CCD cameras. No other parts (like CPU box, USB converter etc.) are necessary (with the exception of external brick 12 V DC power supply).
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