Currently I use several different imaging platforms:
* a Imaging Source firewire DMK21BF04 webcam
* a Canon 10D (SLR digicam) only for widefield images with Canon lenses
* a SBIG STL-11000M CCD camera
See the webcam setup at the f/10 focus with ATIK filter wheel and 2x barlow at right.
The STL11000M is attached to the prime or secondary focus of the cassegrain with a threaded custom adapter;
The camera can be used with its internal and external guide chip. The cassegrain primary focus at f/3 is fully corrected to supply tight stars over the entire field of the STL-11k.
The secondary focus can be used without corrector at f/10 (0.46"/pixel) or with a reducer at f/6.7 both with the AO-L.
See the complete view at the f/10 focus together with the TEC-140 at right
The STL11000M is attached to the secondary focus of the cassegrain with a threaded AP custom adapter;
See a close-up view of the setup at the f/10 focus together with the AO-L at right. The heating cord is used to keep the camera warm while not imaging.
This prevents formation of dew inside the camera.
Attached to the TEC-140 refractor at f/7 the image scale of the STL-11000 is 1.9 arc sec/pixel.
See the setup of the TEC with the medium format flattener and custom STL-11000 adapter at right. All connections are threaded.
The room below the observatory was foreseen for remote controlling the telescopes and CCD-imaging via internal cabling.
However until now I use my notebook to control the instruments direct beside the scope.
Later on the data transfer with the instruments will be done externally by wireless LAN using CCDAutopilot-3, Maxim DL and Sky-6.
See the prepared control room at right.
