Detailed information about this product's features  Self-Guiding
 Indicator Lights
 Remote Guide Head
One of the best-selling serious CCD cameras has long been the 1530 x 1020 pixel SBIG ST-8XE. Now, imagine a perfect mosaic of four SBIG ST-8XE images stitched together with no overlap. That is the field of view and resolution of the SBIG STL-6303E CCD camera. With four times the field of view and four times the number of pixels, the 6.3 megapixel Research Series STL-6303E is essentially like having four ST-8XE cameras imaging at once. The 9 micron pixels of the 6303E are small enough that the large field of view can be exploited with relatively modest telescopes of less than 100 inches focal length. Its high quantum efficiency, blue sensitive, full frame, high dynamic range, and low noise, make the 6303E one of the most sought-after CCD cameras for professional use.
The SBIG STL-6303E is a large format dual-detector self-guided monochrome CCD camera with a Class 2 imaging detector for wide field deep space imaging. The detector’s 9 micron pixel size makes it ideal for use with short focal length apochromatic refractors. For example, with a TMB Optical TMB130 triplet apo (5.1" f/7) it provides a huge 68 x 102 arc minute field at 1.99 arc seconds per pixel resolution (almost exactly the 2 arc second per pixel resolution generally recommended for deep space imaging). The TMB130/STL-6303E combo is a telescope/camera match made in the heavens.
An internal 5-position filter carousel is integrated into the front cover of the monochrome camera body for optional tri-color imaging. There is no expensive separate filter wheel to purchase. Simply add optional filters. The filter carousel accepts both 50mm diameter unmounted flats and 48mm threaded filter cells. The front cover of the camera is easily removed for changing filters. Since the CCD is in a separate sealed chamber, removal of the front cover does not expose the CCD to dust or air and the desiccant does not need to be recharged after exchanging filters. Extra internal 5-position carousels may be purchased for quick and easy transition between filter sets. An optional external 8-position filter wheel, #FW8STL or #FW8PACK, is also available for the advanced astrophotographer. The camera’s electro-mechanical shutter mechanism is located inside the camera body, between the filter wheel and the sealed CCD chamber.
The self-guiding STL-6303E uses two CCD detectors, one a 657 x 495 pixel Kodak TC-237H for guiding and the other a 3072 x 2048 pixel Kodak KAF-6303E Class 2 detector for collecting the image. In the tracking configuration, the guiding detector is normally binned 2x2 for increased sensitivity. You can also use it in a high resolution (unbinned) mode if desired. For more details on self-guiding, click on the “Self-Guiding" icon above.
In addition to the built-in guiding detector there is also a remote guide head port for using an optional external guider, such as the SBIG #RGH, instead of the built-in guider. This is sometimes helpful during color imaging through the color filter wheel. In some areas of the sky that have few reasonably bright stars to use for guiding, the color filters may dim the only available guide stars to the point where guiding with the camera’s internal guiding chip may become erratic as seeing conditions fluctuate. The use of an optional separate external guiding head will eliminate any such issues. For more details on guiding using a remote guide head, click on the “Remote Guide Head" icon above.
The KAF-6303E detector is graded by Kodak as a Class 2 chip. Kodak classifies their imaging detectors according to the number and type of “cosmetic defects" found on the chip. Cosmetic defects are pixels not performing to certain signal output standards, also known as “hot" or “cold" pixels. “CCD Point, Cluster, and Column Defects" are defined in the “Astronomical Terms" section above left. Click here for a quick link to the definition. The Class 2 chip of the STL-6303E has a maximum of 90 or fewer “point" defects (a maximum of 45 or less in the central 1024 x 1024 pixel area), 36 or fewer “cluster" defects (18 or fewer in the central 1024 x 1024 pixel area), and no “column" defects over its entire 6,291,456 pixel imaging area. In any case, the cosmetic defects of the Class 2 STL-6303E may not even be noticeable in the initial recorded image and are easily removed from the image during processing.
Although the STL-6303E is a perfect match to high quality medium focal ratio refractors in its high resolution mode, with 6.3 million pixels the STL-6303E is easily adapted to a variety of focal lengths. The various binning modes (1x1, 2x2, 3x3) allow you to match the pixel size to various focal length telescopes, ranging from long focal length refractors and SCT’s to short focal length refractors and camera lenses. An optional adapter is available to let you connect standard Nikon camera lenses to the camera for exceptionally wide fields of view. Binning 1x1 yields a 3072 x 2048 pixel image with 9 micron pixels. Binning 2x2 yields a 1536 x 1024 pixel image with 18 micron pixels. Binning 3x3 yields a 1024 x 683 pixel image with 27 micron pixels.
The camera has an internal 12VDC regulated power supply for simplified power requirements and greater tolerance of input voltage variation. When operating in the field from a 12V battery, current drain, extension cords, and cold temperatures may cause the input voltage to drop below 12 volts. In such cases, the internal regulated supply will accommodate variations in input voltage from about 10 volts to 18 volts and still keep the camera operating normally. This allows longer power cords to be used with less concern for voltage drops, so long as the input voltage stays within the above range. A universal 90VAC-240VAC 50-60Hz to 12VDC power supply is also included for operation from virtually any line voltage in the world. A set of five LED indicator lights on the side panel of the camera lets you know if your input voltage at the camera is getting too low for normal operation. For more details, click on the “Indicator Lights" icon above.
The standard cooling design utilizes a very efficient two-stage thermoelectric (TE) cooler for maximum performance. The camera is also liquid-assist ready. It includes an inlet and outlet for water circulation should you need to maximize cooling performance for warm climates or hot summer evening imaging, when the temperature at night is above 10° C (50° F). A circulating water pump and tubing are available as optional accessories. Typical cooling is ~32° C below ambient with air cooling only. Adding water assist, using uncooled (ambient temperature) water, increases the cooling to 40° C below ambient. Greater water assist cooling can be achieved by using water that has been cooled below the ambient temperature, but above the dew point. Water cooling is not recommended when the ambient temperature is below freezing.
The STL-6303E includes a camera body with an 6.3 megapixel Class 2 imaging detector, a built-in five-filter carousel for tri-color imaging using optional 48mm filters in cells or 50mm unmounted filters, a Texas Instruments TC-237H autoguider detector, new analog and digital electronics, a 16-bit analog to digital (A/D) converter, and regulated temperature control. All of the electronics are 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 425,000 pixels per second, allowing a full frame 6.3 megapixel download in ~15 seconds. There’s a remote guide head port and a new I²C accessory port that adds bi-directional communication capability for new “smart" accessories, such as the 8-position external filter wheel. 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. The camera body has rack handles that make for easier and safer handling of the camera, particularly in cold weather when wearing gloves; a high-speed USB 1.1 interface port with a 15-foot USB cable (commonly available and relatively inexpensive third party USB extenders are available for cable runs up to several hundred feet, something not presently possible with a USB 2.0 interface); 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 bolt-on 2" nosepiece for minimum vignetting; a 1/4"-20 thread side plate for tripod mounting; a telescope interface cable for autoguiding; and a universal 90-240VAC 50-60Hz power supply with a remote on/off switch. A supplied CD-ROM has sample images and full working versions of SBIG’s CCDOPS version 5 camera control software, Software Bisque’s CCDSoft Version 5 image processing/camera control software, CCDSharp Lucy-Richardson algorithm deconvolution image processing software, and Software Bisque’s TheSky version 5, level II, with telescope control for Windows. Instruction manuals are provided on the CD-ROM. You also get a custom designed Pelican hard carrying case with pre-cut foam. The custom-cut foam securely holds the camera and power supply with additional spots for accessories, cables, etc. The case is dustproof, waterproof, crushproof, and carries a lifetime guarantee from the case manufacturer.
Detector specifications are as follows: Imaging Detector: Kodak enhanced KAF-6303E, Class 2, without antiblooming.
Pixel Array: 3072 x 2048 pixels.
Pixel Size: 9 x 9 microns.
Total Pixels: 6,291,456 (6.3 megapixels).
Full Well Capacity: 100,000e-.
Dark Current: 0.3e-/pixel/second at 0° C.
Guiding Detector: Texas Instruments TC-237H.
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: 1.4e-/ADU.
Read Noise: 13.5e- RMS.
Binning Modes: 1x1, 2x2, 3x3.
Pixel Digitization Rate: ~425,000 pixels per second.
Full Frame Download: ~15 seconds. System specifications are as follows: Standard Cooling: two stage thermoelectric, active fan, water assist ready, -32° C from ambient typical (-40° C with uncooled water assist; further cooling to -50° C may be achieved by using water cooled to below ambient and above the dew point).
Temperature Regulation: +/-0.1° C.
Power Requirements: 10-18VDC, 12VDC nominal, universal 90VAC-240VAC 50-60Hz to 12VDC desktop power supply and 12VDC field power cord included.
Computer Interface: USB 1.1.
Computer Compatibility: Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP/Mac OS-X.
Guiding: patented dual CCD self-guiding.
Physical specifications are as follows: Optical Head: measures 6.5" x 6" x 3" deep (16.5 cm x 15.2 cm x 8.9 cm) excluding nosepiece and handles, weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) without filters.
CPU: no separate CPU required, all electronics integrated into optical head.
Supplied Mounting Method: 2" nosepiece.
Back Focus Needed: 1.7" (4.3 cm) with 2" nosepiece attached.
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