The new MX916 monochrome CCD camera is the latest introduction to the Starlight Xpress
family. This camera uses the latest “SuperHAD” CCD technology from Sony, which employs
an enhanced “micro lens” structure, significantly improving the already very high sensitivity of
the ICX series of devices. The dark current of this camera is also exceptionally low, and
contributes to its excellent performance. The entire assembly of dedicated electronics is
housed inside a compact 64mm diameter black anodised aluminium barrel, only 97mm long.
It is driven from the parallel printer port of any 486 or higher PC computer, and comes
complete with an easy to use Windows control program. A 5 metre lightweight lead, and AC
mains/12v DC battery compatible power pack complete the system.

The CCD has 376 x 290 pixels in a large 8.7mm x 6.5mm format, with an excellent blue light
sensitivity that most CCD's cannot even approach. The high speed 16 bit digital converter
provides a 65536 grey level output as a 213kB file. Current regulated thermoelectric cooling
reduces the CCD temperature to about -30 degrees C below ambient and permits exposure
times of many hours, unlimited by dark noise.

Specifications:

CCD Type - Sony ICX083AL SuperHAD CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical
anti-blooming
CCD Pixel Data - Pixel size 23.2 x 22.4um, Image format 376 x 290 (unbinned)
CCD Size - Image area 8.7mm (h) x 6.7mm (v)
Spectral Response - Peak response at 520nM (Green), 50% at 400nM (Violet) and 670nM
(Near Infra-Red). Note the very good blue light performance, excellent for Tri-colour and
photometric work.
Readout Noise - Approximately 15 electrons RMS
Full Well Capacity - Greater than 300,000 e-
Anti Blooming - Overload margin greater than 800x
Dark Current - Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.1
electrons/second at +10ºC ambient
Data Format - Full 16 bits
Computer Interface - 8 bit unidirectional parallel port with bi-directional status lines (standard
Centronics interface), 25 pin “D” style plug for LPT 1, 2 or 3 via a 5m x 6mm diameter cable
Image Download Time - Typically 17 seconds with a 66MHz 486 PC. When using the port
accelerator module the time is reduced to approximately 8 seconds
Power Requirements - 115vAC/240vAC at 12VA or 12v DC at 750mA max
Cooling System - Regulated constant current cooling supply built-in. Single stage
thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30ºC below ambient
Size - 63 x 95mm black anodised aluminium barrel with M42 thread at the CCD window end
and 15 way “D” style input plug at rear.
Weight - 250g

Price with Port Accelerator - £1395.00 plus £10.00 p&p
Price with USB Interface - £1495.00 plus £10.00 p&p

The Astronomy Shop

1 Tone Hill. Wellington

Somerset TA21 0AU

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1823 665510