ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS StarShoot Video Eyepiece II User manual

Orion®StarShoot™
Video Eyepiece II
#52184 NTSC
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
OrionTelescopes.com
Customer Support [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Corporate Offices [phone]
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
© 2012 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
IN 471 Rev. A 08/12

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Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new
StarShoot Solar System Video Eyepiece (SSVEII) is
capable of displaying detailed, full-color video of
astronomical objects in our solar system. The planets,
Moon, and Sun (with optional solar filter) can all be
imaged to create spectacular views on your TV Screen.
The SSVEII can even be used during the day to take
images of terrestrial subjects. You’ll find that this
inexpensive, yet capable and easy to use camera will
enhance all of your journeys with your telescope.
Please read this instruction manual before attempting to
use the camera.
Parts List
• StarShoot Video Eyepiece II (SSVEII)
• 5V Mains power adapter
System Requirements (refer to Figure 1)
Telescope
The SSVEII can be used with virtually any telescope that is compatible
with 1.25" format eyepieces. The camera is inserted into a focuser in the
same way as a standard eyepiece (Figure 1). If you use a star diagonal,
you should remove it. If your telescope does not have enough inward focus
travel, you will need to use an optional 1.25" Barlow lens to extend the tele-
scope’s focal plane to the camera’s imaging plane (Barlow sold separately).
For most types of astro-imaging with the SSVEII, using a telescope with a
focal length of at least 1000mm is recommended. Otherwise, the image scale
may be too small. To increase the effective focal length of your system, use a
Barlow lens or other type of tele-extender lens.
Mount
While using an equatorial (EQ) mount is recommended to achieve the
best results, one is not absolutely required for general imaging with the
SSVEII. Since the maximum exposure time is only a fraction of a second,
astronomical objects will not drift significantly through a telescope attached
to an altazimuth mount or Dobsonian base during single image captures. Use
a sturdy mount that is appropriately sized for the telescope tube being used.
For obtaining the best planetary images, however, we do recommend an
equatorial mount. Planetary imaging requires combining many individual
images, and having an equatorial mount will prevent the planet from
drifting out of the field of view of the camera during the time it takes to
acquire the large number of images necessary. A motor drive (single-axis) is
recommended too, so you can track the target object as you transmit live
images to your viewing or recording device.
Recording
Video can be recorded via standard VCR’s, DVR’s or Camcorder’s equipped
with a composite RCA input. Movie files can then be downloaded to a
PC for image processing using common video grabbers available in the
marketplace.
The Orion Video Capture Device (Windows or Mac)
This device plugs into a laptop or PC and will record video to standard AVI
format on your hard drive.
(Please check the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.com for more
information).
Figure 1. To use the SSVEII, a telescope, mount and viewing/recording device that
accepts RCA composite input such as TV, Camcorder, DVR and VCR.

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5. Look at the Live Video Window on
the screen and adjust the focus
knob accordingly to determine best
image focus.
Note: The camera’s field of view is fairly
small. It is approximately equivalent to
the field of view through the telescope
when looking through a typical (i.e. not
wide-field) 5mm focal length eyepiece
(Figure 2).
6. Image orientation can be
changed by rotating the camera
within the focuser drawtube.
Simply loosen the thumbscrew
on the drawtube and rotate the
camera until the desired image
orientation is achieved. Retighten
the thumbscrew on the focuser drawtube when done. You may need
to slightly refocus (using the telescope’s focus knob) if the focuser
drawtube has moved a bit inward or outward when the camera was
rotated.
7. If you have attached a VCR, DVR, Camcorder, Video Capture Device or
LCD-DVR you can now record a video of the live view.
8. You have now taken your first images with the SSVEII! This simple
method of imaging is exactly how the camera is used to capture
terrestrial subjects during daylight hours. Close-up images of birds and
other wildlife or faraway vistas can all be obtained in this way with the
SSVEII. Solar images can also be taken during the day with an optional
full-aperture solar filter over the front of the telescope.
Take some time to use the camera and Orion AmCap software during the day
to become familiar and comfortable with their basic operation.
Astronomical Imaging
Now that you’re familiar with basic camera and software operation, it’s time
to take the SSVEII out at night under the stars to capture some astronomical
images. We recommend starting with the Moon, as it is easy to acquire into
the camera’s field of view, and typically does not require stacking of multiple
exposures as planetary images do.
If the image being displayed seems too bright we recommend purchasing the
Orion Variable Polarizing Moon Filter.
(Please check the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.com for more
information).
Figure 2. The camera’s field of view
is comparable to a 5mm focal length
eyepiece. This example uses an Orion
ShortTube 80mm Telescope.
The Orion LCD-DVR
This highly portable device allows you to view, record and playback video
and still images without the need for a computer. This device can also
provide power the camera using its rechargeable battery for a complete
portable solution.
(Please check the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.com for more
information).
http://www.astronomie.be/registax
http://www.avistack.de
Image Processing Software
Website links are provided above to download popular free Image processing
software to be used with your recorded image files and movies to enhance
your astro Images.
Image Processing Software such as RegiStax or AviStack; can Align and
Stack(combine) hundreds of individual images into a single resultant image
and perform some additional image processing to bring out subtle details or
to make the image appear more pleasing overall.
Both software applications are a recommended addition to any astro-imagers
arsenal of image processing software.
Getting Started During Daylight
We recommend using the SSVEII for the first time during the day. This way,
you can become familiar with the camera and its functions without having to
stumble around in the dark. Set up your telescope and mount so the optical
tube is pointing at an object at least a couple of hundred feet away. Insert an
eyepiece and focus as you normally would.
To obtain first images with the SSVEII, follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Plug the 5V mains Power adapter into the SSVEII.
2. Plug the RCA composite output from the SSVEII into your viewing device
(TV, DVR, VCR, Camcorder, Video Capture Device or LCD-DVR).
3. To connect the camera to the telescope, simply replace the telescope’s
1.25" eyepiece with the camera. Make sure the securing thumbscrew on
the focuser drawtube is tightened after the camera is inserted.
4. You will now need to refocus the camera for the centered object.
Focusing will be the hardest thing to learn in the initial stages. If the
daytime image brightness is still too bright to produce an acceptable
image on your computer screen, you may need to stop-down the
aperture of your telescope.

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Imaging the Moon
Imaging the Moon is much like imaging
terrestrial objects during the day. Since
the exposure is very short, it is not
critical that the telescope be precisely
polar aligned.
When the moon is past half full,
it is hard to get detail due to the
tremendous glare off of the lunar
surface. Most detail, even on a sliver of
a moon, will be at the terminator (that
tiny thin line between the shadow and
light, see Figure 3). To get more of the
moon in the image, a focal reducer will need to be used. For close-ups of
craters use a Barlow lens (see “Using Focal Reducers and Barlow Lenses”).
Imaging Planets
The best planetary images will be obtained by stacking (combining) many
individual images in order to improve image contrast, brightness, and detail
(Figure 4).
A great way to obtain images for stacking is to take several seconds of video
of the planet, then break the video into individual frames for stacking. Since
the SSVEII has a frame rate of 30 frames per second, you can literally obtain
hundreds of images for stacking in seconds! You save time by taking one
video instead of dozens of individual pictures!
Since you will be taking multiple images over a period of time, it is important
you have a decent polar alignment in order to keep the planet within the field
of view of the camera. To this end, having a motor drive (at least single-axis)
will also be helpful. Otherwise, you will periodically need to rotate the R.A.
slow-motion knob to keep the planet within the camera’s field.
Tips
Focusing
One of the hardest things to do in planetary imaging is achieving good
focus. You can make this process easier by simply watching the Live Video
on your display device to focus. Depending upon the viewing conditions
you may notice that the image goes in and out of focus this is due to
viewing conditions. This is to be expected and one of the reasons why post
processing software can bring out the best in your captured images. Focus
as best as possible with the average frame being at best focus to ensure
more in focus frames than out of focus. Image processing software can then
be used to select the best frames to combine for best results.
Refocus often throughout your imaging session. This ensures at least some
of your images will have an excellent focus. It is also not uncommon for
telescope movements to alter the focus slightly, so be sure to refocus for any
new astro-imaging targets.
Choosing a Site for Astro-imaging
Once you have a focused image, you may find your image shifting and
washed out. This can be caused by many environmental factors. Poor
seeing (movement of molecules in the air, such as heat rising) and poor
transparency (moisture, smoke, or other sky contaminants) will all serve to
reduce image quality. That is why most major astronomical telescopes are on
high mountains in thin air, to get above much of the seeing and transparency
problems. Also, wind will move your telescope and affect images. Your
eyes viewing through an eyepiece can change slightly to compensate for
disturbances like these, but the camera cannot. Keep these factors in mind
when choosing an observing site for astronomical imaging.
For the best astro-images, we recommend finding a location with dry air,
some altitude, and away from city or streetlights. Even a nearby hilltop in
the countryside can provide better viewing conditions than many convenient
backyard locations.
Using Focal Reducers and Barlow Lenses
Focal reducers serve to decrease the focal length of your telescope.
This increases the field of view seen by the camera (decreases camera
magnification). This can be useful for obtaining images of wider objects, such
as the full Moon or a landscape vista.
Barlow lenses, or other tele-extenders, increase the focal length of your
telescope, which makes the camera field of view narrower (increases camera
magnification). This is useful for high-power planetary images. Keep in mind
that when the focal length is doubled, the image will become four times
dimmer, so a longer exposure may be necessary.
For best planetary imaging, you should shoot with an effective focal ratio
(telescope focal length ÷ telescope aperture) of F/20 or greater. This will give
you a good combination of image brightness and image scale for planets.
For most telescopes, a Barlow lens will be required to obtain this focal ratio.
For example, Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes usually have a focal ratio of
F/10. A 2x Barlow lens doubles the effective focal length of the telescope,
which makes the focal ratio f/20. Similarly, a 3x Barlow lens will yield of focal
ratio of F/30. You can also try using multiple Barlows to obtain even greater
effective focal ratios. There is a limit to how large a focal ratio your telescope
and seeing conditions can handle, however. Experimentation will be needed
to see what your telescope is capable of in the seeing conditions on a given
night. If the image appears somewhat dim and fuzzy on the computer screen,
you may want to consider removing the Barlow lens.
Figure 3. The moon’s surface detail
looks the best along the terminator.

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(Focal Reducers and Barlow lenses
available through Orion, check the
catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.com).
Filters
For some types of planetary imaging,
you may want to use color filters to
bring out subtle details. Any standard
Orion 1.25" filter will thread into the front of the SSVEII’s barrel. Try using
different color filters on a planet to see which filters help best show planetary
details.
Neutral-density Moon filters and variable-polarizer filters are useful to reduce
the glare from the moon. They can also be used to reduce the glare from
Venus.
Solar Filters
Warning: Always use a full aperture solar filter when viewing the sun.
With a properly fitting full-aperture solar filter attached to your telescope,
you can use the SSVEII to take images of the Sun and the sunspots on its
surface.
(Filters available through Orion, check the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.
com for more information).
Flip Mirror
As easy as flipping a switch, the Imaging Flip Mirror enables the
astrophotographer to find, center and focus a target visually with a 1.25"
telescope eyepiece, then photograph it with a CCD camera. All without
swapping out any equipment. It’s a real timer saver, making the normally
tedious task of focusing with the CCD camera alone easier and quicker.
(Available through Orion, check the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.com for
more information).
Things to Do
Moon
• Learn your way around our closest celestial neighbor.
• Image the craters and mares.
• Image the different phases from
New moon to Full Moon
• Image the detail at the terminator
• Create a moon mosaic
Planets
• Take a movie of the position
of the great red spot of Jupiter
during the Gas Giant’s <10 hour
day.
• Image Jupiter’s moons and their
shadows as they transit across
the Gas Giant
• Follow in Galileo’s footsteps by
Imaging the different phases of
Venus
Solar
• Using a full aperture Solar Filter to
image sunspots
Terrestrial
• Image animals from a far distance
so as not to disturb feeding and
nesting spots
Recommended Reading
(Books available through Orion, check
the catalog or www.OrionTelescopes.
com for more information).
Figure 5. Moon Mosaic. Use software
to assemble individual frames to
create a higher resolution image.
Figure 4. Planetary Stacking.
Figure 6. Crescent phases of Venus.
Figure 7. Venus Transit and
Sunspots.

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Specifications
Sensor: Color CMOS sensor
Sensor size: 1/3"
Number of pixels: 720 x 480 pixel layout; 0.3 megapixel resolution
Pixel size: 5.6µm x 5.6µm
Video frame rate: 30 frames/second
A/D conversion: 8 bit
IR filter: Yes
Spectral Range: 400-650nm (with IR Filter)
Connection: Standard Composite RCA Video Out (NTSC)
Barrel: 1.25" threaded for filters
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Changes of modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver in connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
A shielded cable must be used when connecting a peripheral to the serial ports.

One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion StarShoot Video Eyepiece II is warranted against defects in materials or workman-
ship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the
original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will
repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective,
provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville,
CA 95076. If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original
invoice) is required.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused, mis-
handled, or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. For
further warranty service information, contact: Customer Service Department, Orion Telescopes
& Binoculars, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076; [phone].
OrionTelescopes.com
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
Customer Support Help Line [phone]
© 2012 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars