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Main page▹Product Overview▹Astronomical cameras

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Articles
Gx cameras articles
Connect the Gx Camera through WiFi network18.1.2018
 The Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of up to four Gx cameras of any type over an Ethernet. Because the communication is handled over the TCP/IP network, the distance between camera and the host PC is virtually unlimited. The Ethernet port of the adapter device can be attached to arbitrary WiFi bridge device to access attached cameras wirelessly. However, such solution needs another box (the Ethernet/WiFi bridge device) with another power supply etc. This is why the Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter firmware was extended with support for USB/WiFi interfaces.
New “XS” External Filter Wheel with 7 Positions for G2 Cameras7.2.2017
 While answers to many questions cannot be universally true, as it depends on who you ask, the answer to question “What is the optimal number of filter wheel positions?” is 7 for vast majority of users. Astrophotographers need Red, Green and Blue filters for true-color photography and narrow-band Hα, OIII and SII filters, plus one position for clear or luminance filter. Researchers could live with 6 positions for NUBVRI filters, but one spare position, which could be left clear, is often useful.
New G4 camera adapter for ASA Wynne coma-corrector13.2.2017
 No optical setup is capable to cover really wide field of view without refracting correction elements. Even the best and most expensive APO refractors and RC reflectors need field-flatteners if a 50 mm diameter field has to be utilized. With a little exaggeration, spending money for premium optics, which must be corrected either way, is not necessary when much cheaper optics with a quality corrector provide the same results. And in reality well corrected Newtonian reflectors proved to be the best wide-filed, large-diameter telescopes available to amateurs. The trick is in the refracting correction element just in front of the camera, which eliminates the so-called “coma” aberration, inherent to simple parabolic mirrors. And the 3" Wynne coma correctors belong among the best available.
New design of the Gx camera desiccant container13.2.2017
 CCD dark current halves with every ~6°C, so keeping the CCD sensor at low temperatures is a key feature of scientific CCD cameras, allowing long exposures not ruined by excessive dark current. The CCD cooling can achieve up to 50°C below the ambient temperature, which leads to below-freezing temperatures of the sensor in all cases. This is why it is crucially important to place the cooled detector in the hermetically sealed chamber else it would be covered by the water ice within minutes. And the chamber must be dried by a desiccant, because even the residual humidity in the air is enough to create frozen ice patterns on the sensor, harming the images. New design of the desiccant containers of the Gx cameras allows more comfortable desiccant exchange and easier desiccant regeneration. Also a new variant of the container was introduced, designed to allow tool-less container replacement.
Meet the new G3-16200 camera (UPDATED)18.1.2018
 We are proud our company could provide feedback when OnSemi designed the new KAF-16200 CCD sensor. What is so special about this CCD? Simply put, it is designed to be the best possible sensor for vast majority of astrophotographers and astro-imaging enthusiasts around the world. While there are even greater detectors available, like KAF-16803 in the G4-16000 camera, such huge sensors require at last 3" focusers and field correctors to cover them with good quality image. As opposite, KAF-16200 in the newly introduced G3-16200 camera fits within the field of view of typical 2" focusers and optical correctors, used on absolute majority of amateur scopes. And at the same time it leaves almost no field of view area uncovered, so it allows capturing of really stunning wide field images. In association with great 16MPx resolution and 6μm pixels, low read noise and dark current, above average sensitivity and especially uniform and clean field of view, G3-16200 is an ultimate imaging camera for majority of amateur telescopes.
Enhanced cooling models of G3 and G4 cameras18.1.2018
 Dark current, injecting electrons into CCD pixels regardless if the sensor is illuminated or not, is the most important source of the unwanted signal. As the dark current is caused by random processes, it exponentially depends of the sensor temperature — typically the dark current is halved with temperature drop by every 5 or 7 degrees Celsius, depending on the particular sensor. While dark current can be to some extend removed from images during calibration (subtraction of the so-called “dark frame”), the random portion of the signal always remains in the image. This is why the CCD sensors in cameras intended for very low light imaging (and thus allowing for many minutes long exposures) are always cooled. Despite the inherent dark current of the OnSemi detectors, used in the Gx series of CCD cameras, is relatively small, sometimes the camera is used in hot environments and more effective cooling is required to lower the dark current.
New M48 × 0.75 adapter for Gx cameras preserving 55 mm back focal distance9.2.2016
 Adapter complying to the newly emerging de-facto standard of the M48 × 0.75 thread, but preserving the 55 mm distance to focal plane similarly to M42 × 0.75 based T-thread, is available for G2 and G3 cameras.
G2-0402, G2-1600, G2-3200, G2-8300, G2-2000 and G2-4000 CCD Cameras11.6.2018
 G2 series of small format CCD cameras uses high sensitive, low noise OnSemi Full-Frame and Interline-Transfer CCD detectors. While high-speed USB 2.0 interface allows plug-and-play operation and ensures download time within a few seconds, optional Ethernet interface provides camera connection to practically unlimited distance. Advanced analog electronics ensures uniform frames without artifacts and very low read noise. Efficient, regulated two-stage Peltier cooling keeps detectors frozen to minimize dark current. Compact and robust camera head integrates all electronics, mechanical shutter and optional internal filter wheel. Various threaded and bayonet adapters enable attaching of the camera to almost any optical system and numerous accessories like autoguiding cameras, off-axis guider adapters, external filter wheel etc. allow tailoring of the imaging system to almost every application.
Ramping production of the new revisions of cooled CCD cameras29.12.2014
 All technical products undergo incremental refinements and numerous innovations affected also the cooled CCD cameras of the Gx series. Changes are only subtle from the outside point of view, despite a small facelift of the G2 camera head. Updates of the internal design are more significant, but key features like extremely low read noise, efficient cooling etc., which position Gx cameras on top among similar products, are of course remained.
Off-Axis Guider adapters for G3 and G4 CCD cameras26.11.2020
 Despite the fact that the G2 and G3 cameras share the same adapter mounting interface, Off-Axis guiders for G2 cameras with either M42 or M48 variant of mounting thread cannot be used with G3 cameras. The mirror reflecting light to guiding camera inside the G2 OAG is positioned too close to the optical axis that it partially shadows larger CCD detectors of G3 cameras. And G4 cameras use even greater detectors and their adapter mounting interface is also larger. Off-Axis guiders for G3 and G4 cameras have to be designed from the ground up to place the mirror feeding the guiding camera with light as close to the optical axis as possible on the one side, but not to cause vignetting (shield the main CCD detector) on the other side.
G1-0301: new autoguider with large detector, big pixels and high sensitivity7.1.2015
 New autoguiding camera G1-0301 has the same resolution like the G1-0300 model, but it has bigger pixels and thus also bigger CCD detector. Greater detector area (6.5 × 4.9 mm compared to 4.9 × 3.7 mm) and especially 80% larger pixel area bring proportionally higher sensitivity compared to G1-0300. This is why G1-0301 can be used with guiding telescopes with long focal length and also with Off-Axis Guider adapters.
External filter wheels for Gx CCD cameras6.3.2025
 The ability to capture individual exposures through various filters is one of the key features of the cooled CCD cameras, regardless if being used for scientific research or for astronomical photography. This is why the Gx CCD cameras were designed to include the filter wheel inside the camera head and to integrate filter wheel control into camera control from the beginning. When more than 5 or 6 filters are necessary or the filter wheel has to be used with G4 camera, the filter wheel is too large to be placed inside the camera head. External filter wheel is then the only option.
Gx CCD cameras reviewed7.1.2015
 Several reviews of Gx CCD cameras appeared in both printed and online publications. The printed review of G2-8300 was published in the British Astronomy Now magazine, online site cloudynights.com published review of G4-16000 and external filter wheel. You can check them for yourselves.
What is Residual Bulk Image and how to deal with it14.6.2013
 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 cost14.11.2013
 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 cameras13.6.2018
 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 cameras19.7.2016
 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 cameras1.9.2020
 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 cameras27.6.2018
 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-filters15.3.2011
 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 cameras15.3.2011
 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 Camera29.12.2014
 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-11004.10.2010
 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 Cameras8.11.2018
 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 autoguider27.11.2009
 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 Cameras29.12.2014
 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 lenses3.2.2010
 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 Resolution18.3.2008
 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 released18.5.2009
 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 Work21.1.2008
 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.

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