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The StarShoot CMOS Camera (G10 and larger)

The StarShoot Camera is a high resolution CMOS imager with 
a dual-stage, regulated thermoelectric cooler to enable maxi-
mum imaging performance. It is very sensitive and capable of 
detecting faint deep sky objects in a short exposure; and longer 
exposures or higher gain settings can reveal extremely deep 
fields with subtle nebulosity and galaxies in the background. The 
unique versatility of CMOS chip lets you take advantage of the 
densely-packed pixel array. 1x1 mode utilizes the full resolution 
of the camera, providing the most detailed images and largest 
possible prints. The one-shot-color versions offer the easiest 
path to a full color image, with the Bayer matrix over the chip 
to encode the color data without having to shoot through indi-
vidual filters. The Monochrome versions are the most sensitive 
StarShoot cameras, because of that monochromatic nature 
of the chip, but will need to shoot through different color filters 
in order to produce a full color image. Binning in 2x2 mode or 
higher shortens the exposures necessary and full well capac-
ity of each pixel at the expense of resolution. Binning in 2x2 
mode can be especially useful for longer focal length and higher 
focal ratio telescopes, as well offers super-fast downloads when 
focusing with a Bahtinov mask or V-curve assisted motorized 
focuser.

Feature Highlights

•  Simple interface: 

A USB 3.0 port and power port are all that 

are needed to power and connect to the Camera 

(Figure 1).

 

•  Dual-stage thermoelectric cooler: 

Dramatically reduces 

thermal noise in all images, down to approximately 35 degrees 
C from ambient temperature.

•  Regulated cooling: 

Enables you to set the exact tempera-

ture within the cooling range of the camera. This allows you to 
take calibration images like dark frames at the exact same tem-
perature as your light frames, making for the cleanest images 
possible. Additionally, since you can match the CMOS tempera-
ture at any time (within the range of the cooler), you have the 
freedom to take dark frames when it’s most convenient for you, 
so you don’t have to use up valuable imaging time to take dark 
frames.

•  High speed USB 3.0 interface and internal memory buf-
fer: 

The 512 megabyte on-board memory buffer ensures a 

Welcome to the exciting world of astro-imaging. 

Your new StarShoot™ CMOS Imaging Camera is capable of capturing profes-

sional quality astro-images of your favorite celestial objects. You can showcase spectacular images on your computer, share them 
on the internet, or print them. The camera’s large pixel array provides very high resolution images which are great for publishing in 
large prints. Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the camera or install the needed software. This manual 
covers installation of your camera along with basic functions of acquiring images using the included software. To get the most out of 
your camera using 3rd party dedicated astronomy apps coupled with the universal ASCOM driver for the G Series Camera, please 
consult the software help files and manuals included with the individual software packages available on the market. Some of our 
favorite programs are mentioned below. Note: This manual covers the StarShoot Mini cameras as well as the larger format cooled 
G series cameras. Some features will only be available on specific models.

Figure 1.

 The back panel, with USB ports and LED indicator lights of 

the G10

Figure 2a.

 All of the included parts of the Starshoot G10 and 

above. Note: AC cable will differ in EU and UK .

2

Case

Camera

2"
Nozzle

USB 3.0 cable

AC Adapter

Summary of Contents for 51452

Page 1: ...1863 G26 APS C Mono Corporate Offices 89 Hangar Way Watsonville CA 95076 USA Toll Free USA Canada 800 447 1001 International 1 831 763 7000 Customer Support support telescope com Copyright 2021 Orion Telescopes Binoculars All Rights Reserved No part of this product instruction or any of its contents may be reproduced copied modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Orion Telescopes ...

Page 2: ...ct tempera ture within the cooling range of the camera This allows you to take calibration images like dark frames at the exact same tem perature as your light frames making for the cleanest images possible Additionally since you can match the CMOS tempera ture at any time within the range of the cooler you have the freedom to take dark frames when it s most convenient for you so you don t have to...

Page 3: ...ale 42mm T threads G10 and above or male c mount threads StarShoot Mini Caution Be sure to always firmly tighten the thumbscrew s that secure the camera in the telescope focuser or it could fall out and onto the ground If your telescope has T or C threads for direct camera attachment a more secure connec tion can be made First unthread the 1 25 or 2 nosepiece from the camera body to expose the C o...

Page 4: ...ware Install the camera into your focuser and for the G10 and above connect any peripheral devices to the two USB 2 0 ports on the camera and connect the camera to power Please note the AC DC transformer has a relatively short DC cable length This prevents 12v voltage from dropping over longer runs but you may find it difficult to reach an AC outlet depending on your scope setup Use of an extensio...

Page 5: ...image capture and process ing program Excellent processing routines such as aligning stacking and dark flat bias handling An excellent choice for the beginning astro photogra pher getting into processing yet will carry over for more advanced users as well Orion StarShoot Image Capture Plug the camera into the USB 3 port and into AC power When you open Orion Starshoot Image Capture you ll be presen...

Page 6: ...istant galaxy will be in focus 5 If you wish to fine tune the focus further a Bahtinov mask is an ideal method of focusing with Orion StarShoot Capture as it is quite an accurate method using medium brightness stars Contact Orion or search for Bahtinov mask on www telescope com for more details and to purchase a Bahtinov mask for your specific telescope Your First Lunar Planetary Image The moon is...

Page 7: ...e G10 color so exposures longer than 180 seconds may be possible and advantageous to gather more light The G16 mono is the most sensitive of all but since it is a monochromatic camera in order to obtain a full color image you ll need to shoot through red green and blue filters and process the resulting frames together to produce a color image If the histogram still doesn t fall into the proper are...

Page 8: ...cond image of the Veil Nebula Figure 7a shows the full range select Menu Process Range to bring up a histogram of that image Notice how faint the nebulae looks That s not uncommon for a nebula to look like this right out of the camera as it is just barely brighter than the background light pollution Figure 7b is a Range adjusted shot to show fainter detail Notice how the left and right range lines...

Page 9: ...mages taken with no light coming into the camera A dark frame is typically taken with the telescope cap attached The only data in the image is the inherent camera noise The noise contains the dark current background noise level read noise noise introduced during camera readout and download hot pixels bright dots in the image and amp glow Figure 10 All of this noise exists in your raw astro image t...

Page 10: ...er allows the camera to be used with any of the programs listed above along with any others that support ASCOM cameras Please download the ASCOM platform from ascom standards org and make sure to install the camera ASCOM driver from Orion s website When in 3rd party camera control programs the camera gain settings can be controlled in the ASCOM setting window for the camera Open the ASCOM camera s...

Page 11: ...ge TEC 35 deg C from ambient 40 deg C from ambient Camera electronic power DC 5v from PC USB port DC 5v from PC USB port Cooler power 12v 3a 12v 3a G21 G26 Color Sensor Sony IMX 269 CMOS 4 3 format Sony IMX571 CMOS APS C format Resolution Up to 5280x3956 Up to 6224 x 4168 Pixel Size 3 3 microns 3 76 microns Diagonal Size of chip 21 8mm 28 3mm Bayer Matrix patter RGGB RGGB Exposure Range 0 1ms 3600...

Page 12: ...3mm Weight 718g Back Focus 17 5mm Cooling Regulated Two Stage TEC Regulated Two Stage TEC 35 deg C from ambient Camera electronic power DC 5v from PC USB port Cooler power 12v 3a StarShoot Mini 6 3mp cameras Sensor IMX 178 Color and Mono Resolution Up to 3040 x 2048 Pixel Size 2 4 microns Diagonal Size of chip 8 86 mm Bayer Matrix Pattern RGGB arrangement Exposure Range 0 244ms 1000s Partial frame...

Page 13: ... blocking Dimension 80mm x 103mm Weight 552g Back Focus 17 5mm Cooling Regulated Two Stage TEC 40 deg C from ambient Camera electronic power DC 5v PC USB port Cooler power 12v 3a G26 Mono Sensor Sony IMX 571 mono CMOS APS C format Resolution Up to 6224x4168 Pixel Size 3 76 microns Diagonal Size of chip 28 3mm Exposure Range 01ms 3600s Partial frame download Region of interest and Sub frame downloa...

Page 14: ...he original retail purchaser only During this warranty period Orion Telescopes Binoculars will repair or replace at Orion s option any warranted instrument that proves to be defec tive provided it is returned postage paid Proof of purchase such as a copy of the origi nal receipt is required This warranty is only valid in the country of purchase This warranty does not apply if in Orion s judgment t...

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