More Information  · Images of Some Features

The imaging CCD is the new enhanced KAF-0402ME chip with microlens technology from Kodak for much higher quantum efficiency (QE) across the entire UV to IR spectrum than previous detectors. Click on the “Microlens” icon above for more information. The high QE makes the ST-7XME perfect for imaging deep space objects such as dim galaxies and emission nebula. Peak QE occurs very near the H-alpha emission line at 656 nm, making this camera extraordinarily sensitive at this photographically important wavelength. It could be said that the ST-7XME was "made" for capturing H-alpha. Previously, this level of QE was achievable only through the process of thinning the detector wafer and illuminating the image sensor from the back. However, thinned and back-illuminated CCDs are very expensive to fabricate. With the KAF-0402ME front illuminated detector, similar performance to a back-illuminated CCD is achieved with lower dark current and superior cosmetic specifications – and at a substantially lower cost. Peak quantum efficiency is >80%, making this camera the most sensitive in its class. The ST-7XME does not have built-in antiblooming (ABG). This provides the largest possible full well capacity for linear response scientific measurements and the widest dynamic range for imaging.

Kodak classifies their imaging detectors according to the number and type of “defects” found on the chip. CCD Point, Cluster, and Column Defects are defined in the “Astronomical Terms” section of this website. Here's a quick link to those definitions. The Class 2 chip of the ST-7XME has no more than 10 point defects in its entire 390,150 pixel imaging area, no more than 4 cluster defects, and no column defects. The point and cluster defects of the ST-7XME are easily removed from an image by software during processing.

Self-guided exposures up to one hour are possible with the ST-7XME, enabling a standard 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain to capture images showing 19th magnitude stars from typical background observing sites. Pixel binning modes (1x1, 2x2, 3x3) allow the user to match the pixel size to various focal lengths ranging from long focal length refractors and SCT's to short focal length camera lenses. The imaging camera includes a mechanical shutter, 16-bit analog to digital (A/D) converter, regulated temperature control, and has all of the electronics integrated into the CCD head. Communication to your PC is through new high speed electronics and a high speed USB 1.1 interface. Data transfer rates are up to 420,000 pixels per second, allowing a full frame download in less than 1 second.

The standard cooling configuration is a single stage thermoelectric cooler with a software-controlled active fan and a newly designed heat exchanger. It includes an inlet and outlet for water circulation should the user desire to maximize the cooling performance for hot climates. A circulating water pump and tubing are available as optional accessories. Typical cooling without water assist is -35° C from ambient (-30° C minimum). With water assist, the cooling increases to a typical -45° C. Even without water cooling, the new single-stage cooling design offers similar performance to previous two-stage cooling with much less current draw than a two-stage cooler. It is therefore less demanding on battery capacity when operating in the field.

There’s a new I²C accessory port that adds bi-directional communication capability for "smart" accessories. A standard accessory port is also provided to maintain compatibility with the customer's existing telescope interface cables and backwards compatibility with SBIG’s existing accessories – such as the CFW9 color filter wheel, AO-7 adaptive optics system, and relay adapter box for telescopes that do not have a dedicated CCD guider input.

There is also a remote guide head port for using an optional external guider instead of the built-in guiding chip. Click on the “Remote Guide Head” icon for more information.

The camera body has rack handles that make for easier and safer handling of the camera, particularly in cold weather when wearing gloves (as well as providing a place to attach a safety tether); a high speed USB 1.1 interface port; a user-rechargeable desiccant plug (there’s no need to return the camera to the factory for frosting problems); an internal shutter for automatic dark frames; a 2” nosepiece (a 1.25” nosepiece is optional); a T-thread ring for attaching to T-mount photo accessories; a 1/4”-20 thread side plate for tripod mounting; a 15-foot USB cable (third party USB extenders with a CAT5 cable are available for cable runs up to 300 feet); an adapter plug for the telescope interface cable; a telescope interface cable for autoguiding; and a universal 90-240VAC power supply with a remote on/off switch. You also get a CD-ROM containing full working versions of SBIG's CCDOPS version 5 camera control software, Software Bisque's CCDSoft Version 5 image processing/camera control software, and Software Bisque's TheSky Version 5, level II, with telescope control for Windows. All operating manuals are on the CD-ROM. A custom designed hard carrying case with pre-cut foam is available as an option.

While the software supplied with this camera is designed for use with a Windows-based PC, SBIG can also supply software to let Apple Macintosh owners control the camera. The software is available free from SBIG upon request to any new SBIG camera purchaser with proof of purchase. Simply send SBIG a copy of your invoice with the camera serial number and request the EquinoX Planetarium Software with SBIG Camera Control. The EquinoX software requires a Apple Macintosh computer (G3, G4 or G5), OS-X 10.2 or later, 30MB of free RAM, and 92MB of hard disk space. The software can control all SBIG ST-series cameras and Ethernet cameras. OS-X drivers for the cameras are also required and can be downloaded from SBIG at no charge.

Detector specifications are as follows:

Imaging Detector: Kodak KAF-0402ME, Class 2.
Pixel Array: 765 x 510 pixels.
Pixel Size: 9 x 9 microns.
Total Pixels: 390,150.
Full Well Capacity: ~100,000e-.
Dark Current: 1e-/pixel/second at 0 degrees C.

Guiding Detector: Texas Instruments TC-237.
Pixel Array: 657 x 495 pixels.
Pixel Size: ~ 7.4 x 7.4 microns.
Total Pixels: 325,215.

Readout specifications are as follows:

Shutter: electromechanical.
Exposure: 0.12 to 3600 seconds, 10ms resolution.
Correlated Double Sampling: yes.
A/D conversion: 16 bits.
A/D gain: >2.3e-/ADU.
Read noise: 15e- RMS.
Binning modes: 1x1, 2x2, 3x3.
Pixel digitization rate: up to 420,000 pixels per second.
Full frame acquisition: ~1 second.

System specifications are as follows:

Standard cooling: single stage thermoelectric, active fan, water assist ready, -35° C from ambient typical (-45° C from ambient typical with water assist).
Temperature regulation: +/-0.1° C.
Power requirements: 5 VDC at 1.5 amps, +/-12 VDC at 0.5 amp desktop power supply included.
Computer interface: USB 1.1.
Computer compatibility: Windows 98/2000/Me/XP, Mac OS-X.
Guiding: patented dual CCD self-guiding.

Physical specifications are as follows:

Optical head: measures 5 inches diameter x 3 inches deep (12.5 cm diameter x 7.5 cm deep), weighs 2 pounds/0.9 Kg.
CPU: no separate CPU required, all electronics integrated into optical head.
Supplied mounting methods: T-thread, 2” nosepiece.
Back focus needed: 0.92”/2.3 cm.