StarShoot Planetary Imager & AutoGuider.

StarShoot Planetary Imager & AutoGuider

A Versatile Two-In-One Imaging Solution.

Acquire top-notch images of our celestial neighbors with this versatile high-performance planetary imager Fast frame rate of up to 50 fps allows you to easily capture moments of clear atmospheric seeing Quickly records data, making it easy to catch occultations, jovian moon transits, and other time-sensitive events Also functions as an accurate autoguider, equipped with ST-4 autoguide output jack Equipped with 1/3" format Aptina MT9V032 Color CMOS chip, 752x480 pixel layout Includes intuitive PHD Planetary and PHD Guiding software Compatible with Windows XP and Vista 32-bit Operating Systems. Vista 64-bit driver support is targeted to be available in mid-October 2009.

One of the most challenging aspects of planetary imaging is getting enough stable atmospheric seeing in order to capture crisp images of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn or other Solar System object. Orion is proud to furnish a solution that not only meets this challenge, but also provides a versatile "two-in-one" imaging solution. Introducing the StarShoot Planetary Imager & AutoGuider, the first dual-purpose camera of its kind from Orion!

Powered by a 1/3" format Aptina MT9V032 Color CMOS chip, with a 752x480 pixel layout, the "SSPIAG" boasts an incredibly fast frame rate (up to 50 frames per second), allowing you to catch those split-second windows of atmospheric clarity during your planetary imaging sessions. Due to its amazing speed, the SSPIAG is ideal for imaging time-sensitive celestial events such as Moon occultations, solar and lunar eclipses, Space Station flybys and more.

Note: On October 9, 2009, NASA's LCROSS mission will feature a highly anticipated event, as an impact module slams into a shadowed crater on the south pole of the Moon. If the event is as observable as NASA predicts, the StarShoot Planetary Imager has the sensitivity and speed to capture the resulting plume from the impact!

The SSPIAG comes with intuitive PHD Planetary software, to give you full control over image capture, stacking, basic processing, and file export. In addition, the camera's internal processing features allow you to boost dynamic range and gain, apply noise reduction and more.

That's only half the story! As the name implies, the StarShoot Planetary Imager & Autoguider is also a fully functioning autoguider. It features an ST-4 compatible autoguide output jack right on the camera itself, eliminating the need for extra adapters and cables. The camera also comes with award-winning PHD Guiding software for optimum autoguiding control.

So, whether you're a "newbie" to astrophotography, and advanced planetary imager who requires a high-performance camera, or an astro-imager who needs a reliable autoguider, the StarShoot Planetary Imager & Autoguider is the right solution for you!

Includes software CD, 6' USB cable, and 7' autoguiding cable.

Product Specifications: Imaging sensor Aptina MT9V032 Color CMOS Imaging sensor size 4.51mm x 2.88mm Pixel array 752 x 480 (360,960 total) Pixel size 6.0 x 6.0 Imaging chip Single Shot Color Video frame rate Up to 50 frames per second Autoguider capability Yes Exposure range 0.001 seconds to 5 seconds A/D conversion 8 bit Thermoelectric cooling No IR filter Yes Mounting 1.25" nozzle or t-thread USB connection High-speed 2.0 Software compatibility Windows XP/Vista 32-bit Weight (oz.) 4.40.