1.5. Attaching the camera to a telescope.
Due to the size of the largest CCD supported by the STXL
camera, typical t-threads and even a 2” nosepiece will cause
vignetting of the CCD. The accessory plate on the front
cover of the camera has a 3” threaded aperture (3.00-24 UN-
2B). The outside diameter of this threaded ring also allows
for dovetail attachment with the appropriate sized adapter.
Please check with your telescope manufacturer for an
attachment adapter. Mechanical drawings are provided in
the Appendix of this manual for making custom adapters.
1.6. Connecting the Relay Cable
The camera contains opto-isolated relays to control a telescope during self-guiding or when auto
guiding. Most modern telescope drive controllers have a 6-pin modular phone style jack on their
front panel or hand paddle for plugging in an autoguider.
The relay outputs from the camera are brought out via a
phone style connector labeled “SCOPE.” To connect the
telephone style Relay Cable to the camera, use the 6-
conductor cable provided.
Please note that the cable
must have the connectors
attached on each end in the
correct orientation for
autoguiding. See the diagram at right (Off-the-shelf cable for
telephone use may have these plugs reversed).
1.7. Attaching the Remote Head
The Remote Guiding Head is an optional accessory for all models of the STXL Series cameras.
When attached to the main camera body, the Remote Guiding Head can perform all of the
functions of the guiding CCD that is built into the camera. You control the Remote Guider using
the same menu commands as you would for the internal guider. You can select which guider to
use for a self-guided image. The Remote Guiding Head makes it possible to self-guide using a
separate guide scope, or through an off-axis guider assembly that is placed in front of the filters.
This can be useful when imaging through narrow band filters where stars are difficult to see.
It is
important to remember that you should not connect or disconnect the Remote Head to the
camera while the power in on.
It is a good idea, therefore, to plan your observing session in
advance and connect the Remote Head at the beginning of the evening if there is any chance that
you expect to use it that night. If you decide that you need the Remote Head in the middle of an
observing session, it may be inconvenient to shut down the main camera and power back up
again. The Remote Guiding Head contains a mechanical shutter and is therefore capable of
taking dark frames without manual intervention by the user.
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