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CCD & Photographic

A CCD camera is essentially an electronic version of a 35mm camera for astrophotography that saves the images in your computer, rather than on a roll of film. A CCD camera can take snapshots of the Moon and planets and long exposure photos of deep sky nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters. Because the CCD camera has to store up the faint light of deep space objects before it can display an image, just as a 35mm film camera does, a CCD can't give you real-time or instant images of deep space objects.

Because a CCD camera is more sensitive than 35mm film or your eye, it can store up more information during an exposure. Software supplied with the camera, or available separately, allows you to manipulate the image later to bring out details that would be washed out or invisible in a 35mm negative or while observing visually. CCD cameras are surprisingly unaffected by city light pollution, allowing deep sky photography from even heavily light polluted sites.

CCD cameras typically vary in price according to their image size, with large cameras running into the multiple thousands of dollars. Even at their largest, however, their image covers less of the sky than a 35mm film camera on the same scope. CCDs are best at recording small and very faint objects rather than large and bright objects, although excellent images of large objects can be recorded by taking multiple overlapping images and combining them in the computer.

It has been said that CCD cameras on amateur-size telescopes can record fainter objects than the 200" scope at Mt. Palomar could record only 10 or 15 years ago with conventional film cameras. By some measures, CCD cameras can be said to have an effective film speed (ASA or ISO rating) of 20,000, making them ideal for recording very faint objects.

Some CCD cameras can act as autoguiders to take the tedium out of guiding long exposure 35mm photos. Some CCD cameras have their own autoguider built in for recording images automatically and untended; others come with separate guiders or have them available as an option.

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Losmandy 1-Axis piggyback for both Losmandy- and Vixen-style dovetails

$59.00

1 Review(s)

This Losmandy one-axis piggyback system mounts on any Losmandy D-plate or Vixen-style accessory dovetail and allows you to rotate your camera 360° to line up the best shot . . .
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Celestron Deluxe Off-axis guider for SCTs and long focal length telescopes

$339.95

7 Review(s)

The Celestron off-axis guider #OAG93648 is designed for use with SCTs, EdgeHDs, and long focal length telescopes that require the most accurate guiding possible.
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Questar T-Ring for Olympus 4/3 format DSLR cameras, for Questar telescopes only

$78.00

For mounting Olympus 4/3 format DSLR cameras on a Questar camera adapter only . . .
$Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor$ $Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor$

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Astro-Tech 0.8x reducer/field flattener for Astro-Tech AT80EDT triplet apo refractor

$169.95

3 Review(s)

This economical 0.8x focal reducer and field flattener is designed specifically for astrophotography with the Astro-Tech AT80EDT 80mm f/6 triplet apo refractor.
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Celestron LPR imaging filter for Celestron RASA 11

$699.00

The Celestron #93617 RASA Light Pollution Imaging Filter was custom-designed for the Celestron RASA Schmidt-Cassegrain astrograph by Astrodon - the world's leading imaging filter company.
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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Equatorial Motorized Mount Photo Package S20520

$350.00

1 Review(s)
- Multiple preprogrammed speeds for time lapse photography
- Tracking rate selectable between Sidereal, Solar and Lunar
- Built in polar scope with illuminator
- DSLR interfrace for automatic shutter control
- Built-in auto-guiding interface
- Low power consumption
- External Mini USB power support
- Compatible with 3/8 and 1/4 inch camera tripod thread
- Lifetime free firmware upgrade
- 11 pound maximum payload
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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Motorized Equatorial Mount Astro Package #S20510

$410.00

Let the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Astro Package help turn your photo tripod into a fantastic portable Equatorial platform for your small optical tube.
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Celestron Ultima Duo eyepiece to Apple iPhone 4 or 4S imaging adapter

$59.95

2 Review(s)

This Celestron Smartphone adapter works with a Celestron Ultima Duo eyepiece and your iPhone 4 or 4S to easily capture celestial images through virtually any telescope.
$Astro-Tech 60mm photoguide refractor$ $Astro-Tech 60mm photoguide refractor$

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Astro-Tech 60mm photoguide refractor

$139.95

16 Review(s)

The new Astro-Tech AT60GS 60mm guidescope with upgraded helical focuser makes highly accurate autoguiding of deep space astrophotos affordable for any astrophotographer.
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Astro-Tech 1.25" prime focus/variable eyepiece projection adapter, needs T-ring

$44.95

This three-part Astro-Tech camera adapter lets you do both prime focus and variable magnification eyepiece projection astrophotography with 1.25" focuser telescopes . . .