Diffraction SBIG StarChaser Manuel utilisateur

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

SBIG®StarChaser

Off-Axis Guiding Cameras

User’s Manual

Version 2.0 - December 20, 2019

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a

Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are

designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when

the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment

generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed

and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful

interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a

residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user

will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Industry Canada Compliance Statement

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

European Union

This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A

Information Technology Equipment according to CISPR 22/European Standard

EN 55022. Warning: This equipment is compliant with Class A of CISPR 32. In

a residential environment this equipment may cause radio interference.

Visit us at:

http://diffractionlimited.com

and

http://forum.diffractionlimited.com/

Diffraction Limited

59 Grenfell Crescent, Unit B, Ottawa, ON Canada, K2G 0G3

Telephone: 613-225-2732

Fax: 613-225-9688

and Aluma® are registered trademarks of Diffraction Limited. StarChaser, SC-2,

SC-3, ST-4, STF, STX, STXL, MaxIm DL, MaxIm LT are trademarks of

Diffraction Limited. ON Semiconductor, product, and service names profiled

herein are trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a

registered trademark of Apple Corporation. The Linux trademark is owned by

Linus Torvalds. Ubuntu and Canonical are registered trademarks of Canonical

Ltd. ACP is a trademark of DC-3 Dreams, SP.

All other trademarks, service marks, and trade names appearing in this guide

are the property of their respective owners.

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

SBIG StarChaser User’s Manual

Table of Contents

1 - The SBIG StarChaser Guiders .......................................................................... 4

2 –Supplied components ....................................................................................... 7

3 –Installing the software ...................................................................................... 8

3.1 System requirements .................................................................................................. 8

3.2 Windows installation ................................................................................................. 8

3.3 MacOS and Linux Drivers .......................................................................................... 9

3.4 Software Development Kit ......................................................................................... 9

4 –Installing the StarChaser hardware ............................................................... 10

5 –Setting up the StarChaser .............................................................................. 13

5.1 Configuration and connection ................................................................................. 13

5.2 Pick-off mirror adjustment and focusing ................................................................ 18

6 –Installing an Adaptive Optics Unit ................................................................. 20

7 –Maintenance .................................................................................................... 24

8 –Specifications .................................................................................................. 25

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

1 –The SBIG StarChaser Guiders

Diffraction Limited's SBIG StarChaser guiders are the world's first all-in-one

independent off-axis guiding cameras with adaptive optics support. The

StarChaser operates independently of the main camera. It combines a pick-off

mirror, guider camera, guide port and adaptive optics control. Off-axis guiding

eliminates the problem of flexure between the imaging camera and a separately

mounted guider by using the same optical path for both the main camera and

the guider.

There are two models of the SBIG StarChaser, designated SC-2 for 2-inch

diameter cameras, and SC-3 for 3-inch diameter cameras.

The StarChaser SC-2 works with the STF and Aluma series cameras and filter

wheels, as well as the FW8S-STT filter wheel for STT cameras. It acts both as an

off-axis guider and a controller for the optional AO-8A Adaptive Optics Unit.

The StarChaser SC-3 works with STX and STXL series cameras and filter

wheels. It acts both as an off-axis guider and a controller for the optional AO-X

Adaptive Optics Unit.

Competing off-axis guider assemblies are awkward to use, consume too much

back focus, and require you to focus by sliding a camera in and out of an

eyepiece holder. SBIG pioneered simplified off-axis guiding, with guide sensors

built into CCD cameras. Later, we created the self-guiding filter wheel, placing

the guide sensor in the light path, ahead of photon-robbing narrowband filters.

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

Next Generation Off-Axis Guiding

The StarChaser represents our next generation of off-axis guiding technology.

The guider attaches to the front of your filter wheel and adds minimal back

focus distance: 0.8" (20.3 mm) for the SC-2, or 0.87” (22.1 mm) for the SC-3.

The SC-2 weighs only 0.6 lb (273 gm) and the SC-3 only 0.9 lb (400 gm). The

guiders feature a high-sensitivity 1.3 megapixel Global Shutter CMOS sensor

with 4.8 micron pixels.

Unlike competing autoguiders, the StarChaser has a mechanical shutter for

easy dark frame correction. This feature, standard on all SBIG guiders,

optimizes sensitivity and eliminates hot pixels that can degrade guiding

accuracy.

The pick-off mirror position is adjustable by loosening a locking knob and

sliding the mirror into or out of the housing. This allows you to avoid vignetting

the main sensor while optimizing the light path into the guide sensor. Once that

is set, focus is adjusted simply by turning a second knob.

Adaptive Optics Control

Thanks to the SBIG StarChaser, our renowned Adaptive Optics (AO) technology

is now available for virtually our entire camera line! Our AO-8A and AO-X units

bolt onto the front of the StarChaser SC-2 and SC-3 respectively, which in turn

are attached to your SBIG standard filter wheels and cameras. Adaptive optics

technology eliminates guiding errors caused by common mount problems such

as stiction, periodic error, and wind loads. It can even reduce "slow seeing"

effects resulting in higher resolution images.

Supports Your SBIG Investment

Our renowned MaxIm LT software is included with your purchase, providing

integrated control of your StarChaser and SBIG main camera. We also provide

API interfaces for third-party software running under Windows, MacOS, or

Linux. An ASCOM standard camera interface is also included. Note however

that ASCOM does not currently support adaptive optics.

The StarChaser SC-2 supports the following SBIG cameras: STF-8300, STF-

8050, STF-3200, STF-1603, STF-4070, Aluma 47-10, Aluma 77-00, Aluma

8300, Aluma 3200, Aluma 814 and Aluma 694. The SC-2 attaches to the FW8-

8300 or FW8S-Aluma filter wheel. You can also attach it directly to the front of

the camera if you wish, by using an available filter wheel spacer. It is also

compatible with older SBIG STT equipment. All cameras supported by the SC-2

can now be used with our AO-8A Adaptive Optics unit. This brings AO

capability to our STF camera line for the first time. The StarChaser SC-2

connects directly to our AO-8A Adaptive Optics unit. All guiding and AO

operations take place independently of the main camera.

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

The StarChaser SC-3 supports the following SBIG cameras: STX-9000,

STX-16801, STX-16803, STXL-6303E, STXL-11002, STXL-16200, and Aluma

AC4040. The SC-3 attaches to the front of the filter wheel, or can be attached

directly to the front of the camera. The SC-3 also connects directly to our AO-X

Adaptive Optics unit. All guiding and AO operations take place independently of

the main camera.

On the telescope side, the SC-2 uses the same adapter plates that are used on

our FW8-8300 and FW8S-Aluma filter wheels. This includes "STL" thread,

"Small SCT" thread, T-thread, M48x0.75, and of course, 2" nosepiece interfaces.

The SC-3 uses the same adapter plate included with the camera. An optional

2" diameter Nose Plate is also available for STXL cameras.

The StarChaser requires only a +12V power supply (included) and a USB 2.0

mini cable (6 foot / 2 meter cable included). It can send guider commands to

the telescope either via ASCOM PulseGuide or the included ST-4 style guide

cable.

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

2 –Supplied components

Observe proper handling procedures for sensitive electronic equipment and

unpack your StarChaser and accessories carefully in a clean, dry, static-free

area. Inspect the contents to ensure all components are present and in good

order. You should find the following:

StarChaser SC-2 or SC-3 Off-Axis Guiding Camera

Power supply:

oUniversal +12V (60014A)

oPower cable with US plug (51089), European plug (50392), or

Australia/New Zealand plug (50390) (type specified on ordering)

oPower extension cable (68007)

ST-4 style guider-to-telescope mount interface cable (TIC) RJ12-RJ12.

NOTE: This cable has its pin connections flipped from one end to the

other –they are not straight-through connections.

USB 2.0 A to Mini-B cable, 6 feet (2 meters)

SC-2 only: Four 4-40 x 1-inch socket head cap screws

SC-3 only: Four 6-32 x 1-1/8" socket head cap screws

7/64-inch hex key wrench

SC-2 only: Flat adapter plate 2.156 x 24 (40-12053-00)

(SC-3 uses the adapter plate from your main camera)

SC-2 only: 2” Nosepiece adapter with cap (40-12121-00)

USB flash drive

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

3 –Installing the software

The MaxIm LT imaging application supplied with your SBIG StarChaser allows

you to operate it using a Windows computer. The application is found on the

flash drive included with your camera. Drivers (excluding application software)

are also provided for the Mac and Linux operating systems.

3.1 System requirements

The following hardware and software is required for MaxIm LT:

MS Windows (applicable versions: 7, 8, 8.1, 10)

Recommended minimum memory size: 1 GB or larger.

Processing larger images or opening multiple images simultaneously will

require correspondingly more memory. 2 GB memory is recommended for

processing large arrays, including images larger than 6 megapixels.

Disk space: 100 MB for program installation

Video display: 1024x768, 16-bit color or higher

Mouse

Internet browser

3.2 Windows installation

1. Proceed to step 8 if you are an SBIG camera owner who already has MaxIm

DL Pro or MaxIm LT installed.

2. Go to the Registration page on the Diffraction Limited website at:

https://diffractionlimited.com/maxim-lt-registration

3. Enter the requested information and serial number to register the MaxIm LT

application. Use your camera’s serial number for this. You will then

automatically be emailed a license key.

4. Insert the supplied USB flash drive into an available USB port on your

computer.

5. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the DL Imaging Driver (Aluma)

folder on the flash drive.

6. Double-click Launcher.exe, then choose Install MaxIm DL. This applies

whether you are installing the included MaxIm LT application or a licensed

version of the fully-featured MaxIm DL program.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the license key you received

when prompted.

NOTE 1:

To enter your license key properly, you must select all the text from the

email you receive and copy it to the clipboard. You then start MaxIm LT and

open the Enter License dialog. The license key will be entered automatically

–there is no need to paste it since MaxIm LT finds it on the clipboard and

pastes it for you.

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

NOTE 2:

The required USB drivers are available through Windows Update. The

drivers will automatically be downloaded when the device is plugged in and

if an internet connection is present. For computers with no internet

connection, the drivers are located on the supplied USB flash drive in the DL

Imaging Driver (Aluma) folder. Browse to this folder when prompted during

the installation.

8. StarChaser uses the DL Imaging driver package. Download the latest drivers

and camera configuration utility from the Diffraction Limited website at:

https://diffractionlimited.com/down/SetupDLAPI.exe

9. When the download is complete, open Windows Explorer and navigate to

your Downloads folder, then double-click the SetupDLAPI.exe file. Follow

the on-screen instructions to install the DL Config Utility application.

10. When the installation is complete, an entry named DL Config Utility will

appear on the Start menu under the DL Config folder icon.

NOTE:

In addition to being a standalone program, this utility is also accessible from

within MaxIm LT.

Click OK to finish.

11. Proceed to section 4 –Installing the StarChaser hardware to install the

guider.

3.3 MacOS and Linux Drivers

Drivers for the Mac and Linux operating systems are available by request.

Please post your request in our Support forum, Aluma section at:

https://forum.diffractionlimited.com/forums/aluma-series.49

3.4 Software Development Kit

A software development kit for all DL Imaging cameras is available by request.

Please post your request in our Support forum, Aluma section at:

https://forum.diffractionlimited.com/forums/aluma-series.49

DIFFRACTION LIMITED

4 –Installing the StarChaser hardware

This procedure presumes that you have the following hardware currently

installed on your imaging camera:

For SC-2: FW8S-Aluma, FW8-8300, or FW8S-STT Filter Wheel

For SC-3: FW8S-STXL or FW7-STX filter wheel and Adapter Plate (10018)

An FW8S-Aluma filter wheel and SC-2 are shown in the following photographs

for illustrative purposes. However, the procedure for mounting either a

StarChaser SC-2 or SC-3 to an applicable filter wheel is identical, except as

cited.

NOTE:

If you want to attach the StarChaser SC-2 directly to the camera in place of a

filter wheel, you can purchase a Filter Wheel Spacer (CA-FWSPACER) from

Diffraction Limited. The StarChaser SC-3 does not require a spacer and can be

attached directly to the front of your camera.

PROCEDURAL ORDER:

If you are installing a new filter wheel along with your StarChaser, follow the

instructions in your camera and filter wheel user manuals to install the

wheel before installing the StarChaser.

If you currently have an adaptive optics unit installed with your camera and

a filter wheel, the AO must be removed from your filter wheel before

installing the StarChaser.

If you are installing an AO unit along with your StarChaser, then complete

the entire procedure in this section first, followed by the procedure in

5.1 Configuration and connection. Then perform steps 1 to 9 in procedure

5.2 Pick-off mirror adjustment and focusing. You can then install the AO

unit as described in section 6 –Installing an Adaptive Optics Unit.

1. Carefully remove the StarChaser guider and other components from their

packaging. Retain the packaging materials for future use, if ever required.

2. Place your imaging camera and filter wheel assembly on a clean flat surface,

with the telescope opening facing upwards.

3. Ensure that the power into the camera is disconnected.

CAUTION:

Never “hot plug” cables into or from units. This is especially important

for AUX and I2C connectors. Always disconnect power before

connecting or disconnecting accessories or cables.

4. Remove the four 4-40 x 1-inch screws (for SC-2) or 6-32 x 1-1/8" screws

(for SC-3) that fasten the adapter plate to the front of the filter wheel. Set

the adapter plate aside.

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