Ultrastar PRO handbook Issue 1, September 2020
To install Starlight Live (‘Live-stacking’) software:
1.
Double click on the Starlight Live folder on the USB drive.
2.
Double click on the Setup.exe program
3.
Follow the prompts to fully install the software on to your computer.
4.
Plug in your Ultrastar PRO camera – (Wait for the Install New Hardware Wizard to complete)
5.
Double click on the Starlight Live.exe icon on your Desktop or from your START button on
your computer.
PHD2
is also supplied on the USB stick. This is an excellent and very simple stand-alone Autoguiding
Software. We would highly recommend trying this software as it is highly regarded in the Astro-
Imaging community.
Other 3
rd
party software packages such as AstroArt, MaximDL, SkyX and others, all support the
Ultrastar PRO either with native drivers or through ASCOM. Our latest driver can be found on our
website: https://www.sxccd.com/drivers-downloads
Imaging with the Ultrastar PRO:
The Ultrastar PRO makes an excellent imaging camera, especially when used as a ‘Live View’ imager.
This method involves stacking many short exposures to achieve a high sensitivity with simple
equipment. It is ideal for public outreach events, where the images can be seen ‘developing’ in real
time, and for field use where the compact size of the Ultrastar PRO makes for easy transport and
setup. The free software ‘Starlight Live’ (previously ‘Lodestar Live’) from Paul Shears, makes Live
Viewing very easy and is highly recommended. Starlight Live recognises the Ultrastar PRO
automatically and all that you need to do is to open the software and select ‘Live stacking’ and a
suitable exposure time.
