Celestron NightScape 95555 User manual

NIGHTSCAPE
CCD CAMERA
MODEL #95555

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Congratulations on your purchase of Celestron’s Nightscape CCD imaging
camera. Nightscape combines the simplicity of a one-shot-color imaging
camera with the sophisticated features and software of more expensive astro-
nomical imaging systems. This setup guide will help you install and use your
camera as well as the AstroFX control software.
Once AstroFX is installed, review the included Help file for complete
information for using all settings needed to control the camera and process
your images.

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NIGHTSCAPE CAMERA COMES WITH THE FOLLOWING:
+ Nightscape CCD Camera
+ AstroFX Control Software CD
+ USB Cable
+ 12V DC Power Cable
AUX
PORT
THREE SPEED FAN
USB PORTS
(to connect
to computer)
12V
POWER INPUT
FIGURE 1

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
+ Processor – Pentium™ or equivalent, or higher
+ Windows XP™, Windows Vista™, or Windows 7™ (or higher),
32-bit or 64-bit
+ 1 GB RAM
+ Disk Space – 20 MB for program installation
+ Video Display – minimum 1024x768, 16-bit color or higher
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INSTALLING ASTROFX SOFTWARE
Before connecting Nightscape to your computer, install AstroFX
software onto your Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 computer.
1. Place the AstroFX CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The following screen
should automatically appear on your computer (FIGURE 2a).
FIGURE 2a
Note: for some operating systems, the AutoPlay dialog box may appear first on your
screen (FIGURE 2b). Press the Run Launcher button to bring up the main launch screen.
FIGURE 2b

2. Press the Install AstroFX button to begin installation.
3. Follow the InstallShield Wizard to complete installation.
For 64-bit computers, you will need to install the 64-bit skin support application.
Press OK when the following screen appears.
4. Press the Close button on the launch screen when complete.
5. Once installed, the AstroFX icon should appear on your computer’s desktop. Before
opening AstroFX, follow the instructions that follow on powering the camera and
installing the drivers.
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FIGURE 3
Note: If the launch screen does not automatically appear when the CD is inserted
into your computer, you can either:
Select the “Launcher.exe” file from the AstroFX CD, or
Right-click on the CD-Rom icon and select “Install or Run Program”

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POWERING NIGHTSCAPE
Before attaching Nightscape to your telescope, power the camera on to make sure it
is working properly.
1. Attach the smaller end of the USB cable to the camera port
labeled “PC”.
2. Attach the larger end of the USB cable to your computer’s USB port.
3. Plug the barrel connector end of the 12V DC power cable into the camera port
labeled “12V DC”.
4. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter end of the 12V DC power cable into the 12V
outlet in your car, PowerTank or other 12V power supply. Alternatively you can use
the optional 110V AC to 12V DC adapter (model #18778).
5. Nightscape should automatically power on. You should hear
(and feel) the fan operating.
INSTALLING THE DRIVERS
Once Nightscape is connected, the computer should automatically connect to the In-
ternet and install necessary drivers. If you do not have an Internet connection, follow
the installation wizard and allow the computer to browse you computer’s CD-ROM
drive for the “Nightscape Drivers” folder located on the CD-ROM.
INSTALLING ASCOM DRIVERS
If you wish to install ASCOM drivers from the CD, you must first install AstroFX as
described above and also the ASCOM Platform 6 from the following web site: http://
ascom-standards.org/. Once installed press the “ASCOM Driver” button to install
driver. See Fig 2a.

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ATTACHING NIGHTSCAPE TO TELESCOPE
Before attaching Nightscape to your telescope, remember to first power it down and
disconnect all cables. Nightscape has a 2” adapter with internal T-threads that
allows it to be attached in two ways:
Drawtube – Slide the 2” nosepiece adapter directly into your telescope’s 2” focuser
and secure using the thumb screws on the telescope.
T-thread – Thread your T-Adapter (sold separately) onto the 2” nosepiece or direct-
ly into the camera housing (with the 2” nosepiece removed). Attach the T-Adapter
securely to your telescope.
As the distance from the top of the nosepiece to the imaging sensor is the same
as the distance of a standard DSLR camera (55 mm), Celestron EdgeHD T-Adapters
provide the correct spacing for attaching Nightscape to an EdgeHD telescope. Model
#93644 (EdgeHD 8”) and #93646 (EdgeHD 9.25”, 11” and 14”).
CPC DLX EDGE HD (NOT INCLUDED)
NIGHTSCAPE ATTACHED
T-ADAPTER (NOT INCLUDED)
GUIDESCOPE (NOT INCLUDED)
FIGURE 4

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Once Nightscape is attached to your telescope and powered on, you are ready
to use AstroFX software to control the camera and begin taking images.
FOCUSING YOUR CAMERA
Before you begin taking images, it is important to take time to carefully focus the cam-
era. To focus Nightscape from AstroFX’s SNAP screen (see Fig 6):
1. Set the Exposure duration to a short interval (e.g., 1 second to start). You want
the star to appear bright enough to effectively focus, but not so bright that pixels are
saturated. Remember, the longer the exposure duration, the longer it takes to see
the result of a change in focal position.
2. Set the Resolution to Half or Quarter to reduce download time.
Note: Resolution of Half (or 2x2 binning) will combine two adjacent pixels to
effectively increasing the pixel size by four times. Likewise Quarter
resolution increases the pixel size by 16 times. While this will increase light
sensitivity it will also reduce the resolution of the image. So “binning” is a good
method for focusing, because image acquisition speeds up greatly and gives
you greater sensitivity to see faint out-of-focus stars. Binning can also be used to
increase light sensitivity when imaging at long focal lengths such as f/10. Go to
the Nightscape web page on the Celestron web site for more information on
focal length and binning for Celestron telescopes.
3. Set the Exposure type to Focus and press the Start Imaging button.
4. Now center a moderately bright star in the frame and slowly adjust focus until it
is visibly sharp in the downloaded image. Hit Abort once the star is centered.
5. Set Subframe to Set with Mouse and use the cursor to draw a box around the star.
6. Press the Start Imaging button again.

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7. Slowly focus until the FWHM (Full-Width at Half-Maximum) value (in red) is as
low as possible in the Focus Image window. The star should appear as small
as possible and visibly sharper than when you began.
8. Hit Abort when done.
NOTE: If you wish to take test images during the daytime, it is recommended to set
the screen stretch to “Moon” mode for better color fidelity. The screen stretch mode
can be changed by right-clicking in the image screen or by selecting it from the com-
mand bar and the bottom of the main frame.
FIGURE 5