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Simple, Powerful, and Low Cost.
These were the design goals for the ST-402ME camera: We wanted something simple and easy to use yet powerful enough to carry the
"ST" model prefix. The new ST-402ME is seen at right equipped with the optional T-thread to C-mount adapter ring and lens. For
use at the telescope, a 1.25" nosepiece screws into the T-threads of the front plate.The ST-402ME uses the same Microlensed, Blue Enhanced, Full Frame KAF-0402ME CCD as the ST-7XME camera. The array is 765 x 510
pixels at 9 microns square. The same technology that is used to achieve such high quantum efficiency in the KAF-3200ME CCD is
also used with the same effectiveness in the KAF-0402ME CCD. With a peak QE of nearly 85%, this camera bows its head to no other
when it comes to recording faint detail in dim objects.
A full frame download takes less than a second with the new USB 2.0 electronics. Focus mode updates the computer screen about 2X
per second. The small size and light weight makes this camera very easy to handle and set up. A custom internal filter wheel and
shutter lets you take dark frames and tri-color images automatically. Best of all, the low noise and extraordinary QE of the
KAF-0402ME CCD makes this one of the most sensitive CCD cameras available to amateurs at any price. Simply put, there is nothing
that can touch it in its class, except of course the dual sensor, self-guiding ST-7XME camera.
Full Complement of Software for the PC:
The ST-402ME camera comes with more additional software than any introductory camera from any manufacturer:
CCDOPS Version 5: SBIG's own complete camera control software, with image analysis, processing functions, autoguiding,
automated image acquisition, filter wheel control, and much more.
CCDSoftV5, Software Bisque's professional astrometric and image processing program including SBIG camera control and image
link capability with TheSky and RealSky Palomar Sky Survey data.
TheSky Version 5, Level II, also from Software Bisque. TheSky version 5 is a premier planetarium and star-charting
program that includes telescope control for many popular commercial GOTO systems.
Equinox by Microprojects is for Mac users. It is a planetarium program that includes SBIG Camera control. This will
control all SBIG cameras, including older parallel cameras with our E2P adapter. For Mac OS-X only. Send SBIG a copy of your
invoice and camera serial number and we will send you a CD at no charge.
Image or Autoguide
The ST-402ME is so sensitive one is vitrually guaranteed to find a guide star in the field of view no matter where it is pointed
using our small eFinder accessory lens (1" f/4). The ST-402ME can autoguide or image, but like the ST-237A, it cannot do both at
the same time. However, using SBIG's patented Track & Accumulate feature, a sequence of images can be captured and automatically
aligned and stacked (co-added) as you go. The ST-402ME's internal relays allow the camera to autoguide almost any commercial
telescope with an autoguider port. It will also control an external Relay Adapter Box for unusual telescope drives or older ones
that need to be isolated electrically from the autoguider.
Similarities to the ST-237A
Like the ST-237A, this single sensor camera is designed for light weight, low cost and high performance. The camera uses a
monochrome CCD with an optional internal filter wheel and custom filters enabling it to do both high sensitivity B&W imaging and
RGB/LRGB color imaging with the same camera. The CCD is centered in the camera body and is correctly spaced for Celestron
telescopes having Fastar or Hyperstar optics. The camera body is all metal construction (black hard anodized aluminum). Single
stage, regulated, thermoelectric cooling with fan assist is provided on the standard astronomical model. At 4 x 5 inches, the
camera head is somewhat wider than the ST-237A, but it is not as deep and has all electrical connections on the side. This gives
the camera the shortest possible protrusion from the rear of the telescope to allow maximum clearance when imaging objects in the
north with a fork mounted telescope. This size and shape also makes it possible to put the filter wheel inside the camera, even
though the KAF-0402ME CCD requires larger filters than the ST-237A. Electronic relays provide typical autoguider output from the
RJ-11 jack, so the camera can be used as a highly sensitive autoguider with a larger field of view than most other autoguiders.
Differences from the ST-237A
The KAF-0402ME Imaging CCD is about 75% larger than the TC-237. It also has better read noise, lower dark current, significantly
greater dynamic range and higher QE than the TC-237. All of these factors combine to make a more sensitive camera with greater
field of view. The KAF-0402E/ME CCD is available only in NABG. For fast systems such as the Faster, the KAF-0401LE (ABG)
version is also available as an option.
All new electronics are contained entirely in the camera head. There is no separate CPU box. The computer interface is USB 2.0
(USB 1.1 compatible). The high speed readout rate is approximately 2 Megapixels pixels per second. With some overhead, a full
frame, high resolution image will download in approximately 0.8 seconds using USB2.
A regulated power supply is built into the camera so you can operate directly from a 12V battery or other unregulated 12VDC
source. A wall transformer is also supplied for operation in North America from 110VAC.
Typical Specifications
CCD
CCD Kodak KAF-0402ME
Pixel Array 765 x 510 pixels
CCD Size 6.9 x 4.3 mm
Total Pixels 390,000
Pixel Size 9 x 9 microns
Full Well Capacity ~100,000 e-
Dark Current 1eŻ/pixel/sec at 0° C
Antiblooming Optional
Readout Specifications
Shutter Electromechanical
Exposure 0.04 to 3600 seconds,
10ms resolution
Correlated Double Sampling Yes
A/D Converter 16 bits
A/D Gain 1.5e- unbinned
2.0e- binned 2x2, 3x3
(1.0e- and 1.4e- for ABG CCD)
Read Noise 13.8eŻ RMS Typical
Binning Modes 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3
Pixel Digitization Rate Up to 800.000 pixels per second with USB 2.0
Full Frame Download <1 second
System Specifications
Cooling - Enhanced Single Stage Thermoelectric,
Active Fan, -30 C from Ambient Typical
Cooling - Standard Single Stage Thermoelectric,
Active Fan, -20 C from Ambient Typical
Temperature Regulation ±0.1°C
Power 12VDC
Power supply included
Computer Interface USB 2.0
(USB 1.1 compatible)
Computer Compatibility Windows 98/2000/Me/XP
Mac OS-X
Physical Dimensions
Optical Head 5 x 4 x 2.5 inches (including fan)
CPU All electronics integrated into
Optical Head, No CPU
Mounting T-Thread,
1.25" nosepieces included
Weight Approx. 20 oz. (0.6kg)
Backfocus
(C-mount compatible) 0.69 inches
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