ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS StarShoot G4 User manual

Orion®StarShoot™G4
DeepSpace Imaging Cameras
Color #53088, Monochrome #53087
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
IN 606 11/17
#53088 #53087
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AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANY

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1. Introduction
Welcome to the exciting world
of astro-imaging. Your new
StarShoot G4 Deep Space
Imaging camera is capable of
capturing impressive celestial
objects like galaxies, star clus-
ters, and nebulae, as well as
the planets, Moon, and the Sun
(with an optional solar lter).
Additionally, the StarShoot G4
can be used as a dedicated
autogudier for any other astro-
imaging camera you might use
like a DSLR camera or large
array CCD camera. This man-
ual will show you how to install
and use your new StarShoot
G4. In a short time, you will be
capturing astrophotos and shar-
ing them with friends, family,
and the world!
Figure 1. StarShoot G4 Imaging Camera and included items.
Contents
1. Introduction ..................2
1.1. The StarShoot G4 .........3
1.2. Feature Highlights .........3
2. Getting Started ...............4
2.1. Parts List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. System Requirements ......4
2.3. Software and Driver
Installation ...............5
3. Software Walk-Through ........6
3.1 Camera Control............6
3.2 Capture .................. 7
3.3 Histogram ................9
3.4. Analysis ................ 10
4. Astronomical Imaging ......... 11
4.1. Focusing................ 11
4.2. Using the Thermoelectric
Cooler (TEC) ............ 12
4.3. Imaging Deep Sky Objects . 14
5. Image Processing ............ 17
5.1 Save and Export .......... 19
6. Using the StarShoot G4 as an
Autoguider ..................20
7. Optional Accessories ......... 21
8. Specications ...............22
DC power cable
with lighter plug
USB cable
Dust cap 1.25"
nosepiece
(removeable)
StarShoot G4
Deep Space
Imaging Camera

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1.1. The StarShoot G4
The StarShoot G4 is an astronomical imaging CCD camera with a 16-bit image
output and a regulated thermoelectric cooler to enable maximum imaging perfor-
mance. Both the G4 Color and G4 Monochrome are very sensitive and capable
of detecting faint deep sky objects in a short exposure; and longer exposures
can reveal extremely deep elds with subtle nebulosity and galaxies in the
background.
You may also choose to use the G4 as a dedicated autoguider. The highly sen-
sitive, low noise, 16-bit camera allows faint guide stars to be detected. The on-
board autoguiding output allows you to connect the autoguide cable directly from
the camera to your ST-4 compatible mount.
1.2. Feature Highlights
• Simple interface: A USB port is all that’s needed to connect the G4 to your
computer (Figure 3). The power port is used to power the thermoelectric
cooler, which is recommended for the best imaging performance.
• Regulated cooling: Enables you to set the exact temperature within the
cooling range of the camera. This allows you to take calibration images like
dark frames at the exact same temperature as your light frames, making
for the cleanest images possible. Additionally, since you can match the
CCD temperature at any time (within the range of the cooler), you have the
freedom to take dark frames when it’s most convenient for you, so you don’t
have to use up valuable imaging time to take dark frames.
• Vibration-free MagLev Cooling Fan: This essential component of the
cooling system vents out the heat generated by the TEC.
• Autoguider output: (Figure 3)When used as an autoguider, the G4
can connect the autoguider relays directly from the camera body to your
equatorial mount. This eliminates the need to relay an additional adapter
from your PC.
Figure 2.1. The G4 can be connected to
your telescope in three different ways, 1.25",
2", or T-thread.
Figure 2.2. Standard 1.25" lter
threads add versatility to allow additional
accessories to be used.
2" Mounting base
1.25"
Nosepiece
T-threads
Standard 1.25"
lter threads
(M28.4x0.6)
T-threads
(M42x0.75)

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2. Getting
Started
2.1. Parts List (Figure 1)
• StarShoot G4 Deep Space
Imaging Camera
• USB Cable
• DC power cable with lighter plug
• Removable 1.25" nosepiece
(threaded to camera)
• Dust cap for 1.25" nosepiece
2.2. System Requirements
Telescope
The StarShoot G4 ts any telescope equipped with 1.25" or 2" focusers, or it can
also t to any focuser or camera adapter with male T-threads (M42 x 0.75). Refer
to Figures 2.1 and 2.2.
Caution: Be sure to always rmly tighten the thumbscrew(s) that secure the
StarShoot G4 in the telescope focuser, or it could fall out and onto the ground!
If your telescope has T-threads for direct camera attachment, a more secure con-
nection can be made. First, unthread the nosepiece from the G4. This exposes
the camera’s T-threads. Then, simply thread the camera onto your telescope
(Figure 2.2).
Backfocus Requirement
The G4 only requires 5mm of inward focus travel (also sometimes called
backfocus) when connecting it to a 2" focuser on your telescope. If using
the 1.25" nosepiece, the backfocus is 22mm; if connected via T-threads the
backfocus is 18mm.
Mount
Deep sky imaging with the G4 requires an equatorial mount with a right
ascension (R.A.) motor drive. The goal for your mount is to seamlessly track the
apparent movement of the sky as the Earth rotates. The tracking must be very
accurate, or the object you want to image will drift and blur across the camera’s
eld of view while the exposure is taken. Even a small amount of drift will cause
Figure 3. The USB, power, and
autoguider ports.
Cooling fan
USB port
Power
port (for
TEC
and fan
only)
Autoguider
relay port

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a star to look oblong instead of a round point. We recommend using a high-
quality equatorial mount which utilizes periodic error correction (PEC) or has the
ability to interface with an autoguider.
Computer
The G4 requires a PC to operate the camera. For astro-imaging in the eld
at night, a laptop computer is highly recommended. The included software is
Camera Studio which requires Windows 7-64 bit edition and above to operate
(only 64-bit versions of Windows are supported).
The following hardware is also required:
• Processor – 1 GHz speed or higher, 64-bit processor
• Recommended minimum memory size is 1GB.
• Disk Space – 55 MB for software installation, 500 GB or more to store
images is recommended.
• Video Display – 800 X 600 or higher, 16-bit color or higher.
• Mouse
• High-speed USB 2.0 port
Power
The StarShoot G4’s thermoelectric cooler (TEC) requires 12 volts DC (12VDC)
with approximately 1 ampere of current. The camera itself can operate without
the cooler just by connecting to the computer’s USB port. For the best imag-
ing performance, we recommend using the TEC. The supplied 12V power cable
will plug into a cigarette style socket commonly available on power supplies or
eld batteries available from Orion. If you have access to an AC outlet at your
imaging site, you can use a 110VAC to 12VDC adapter for the camera, available
fromOrion.
2.3. Software and Driver Installation
Before the G4 can be used, the software and camera drivers must be installed
onto your computer. Do not connect the camera to your computer before you
have installed the software.
All software, manuals and guides can be downloaded directly from the Orion
G4 product support page located at the link below:
Color:
www.telescope.com/G4c
Mono:
www.telescope.com/G4m

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The following software can be located
on the right hand side of the product
support page.
1. Download, unzip and run the
installer that is compatible with
your operating system.
2. Run “GlobalSetup.exe” to run the
install wizard. Select language to
install and go through the prompts
to install the G4 camera driver
and prerequisite software (Figure
4.1). The wizard will automatically
detect which prerequisites you
need and prompt you to install
them (Figure 4.2).
3. Next select to install the G4
ASCOM driver (Figure 4.3). Note
that ASCOM is only required if you
wish to use the camera in another
program, such as Nebulosity and
MaximDL, or if you wish to use
the camera as an autoguider.
Select language to install and
go through the prompts until the
software is installed.
4. Next select to install the Camera
Studio Application (Figure 4.3).
Select language to install and
go through the prompts until the
software is installed.
Connecting the Camera to the PC
After the software and drivers have
been installed, connect the camera to
the USB port on your computer using
the supplied USB cable. You do not
need to plug in external power yet.
Windows will automatically detect the camera and install it onto your computer.
Wait for the message to appear, Device Installed Successfully.
Figure 4.3.
Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.2.

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3. Software
Walk‑Through
Camera Studio is an easy to use yet
comprehensive imaging program that
controls your G4 for image capture,
and provides the processing tools to
assemble your image and export it.
The following section of the manual
will walk you through the basic fea-
tures of the software – Camera
Control, Capture, Calibrate, Process
and Save & Export.
3.1 Camera Control (Figure 5)
The Camera Control tab rst appears
on the right hand side of the screen when you open Camera Studio. This tab
allows you to connect to the camera, activate the cooler and set the cooling tem-
perature, adjust the gain and offset (not recommended), or enable faster readout
for quick image downloads.
Connect/Disconnect
Connects the G4 and instantly displays the CCD temperature. The G4 camera
must be plugged into your PC before you click Connect.
Cooling
The CCD Temperature will always display while the camera is connected. To
use the TEC, plug the 12V power cable from your power source (eld battery or
other) to the G4 camera. The fan will automatically power on. Click Cooler On.
Set the Target (°C) to approximately 20°C lower than the current CCD tempera-
ture reading. Do not click Cooler On until external power has been plugged into
the G4.
Gain
This feature allows you to manually adjust the analog gain and offset. The default
values have been selected for your camera and should normally not need adjust-
ment. However, you may make adjustments to customize your settings. Default
values are Offset 127 and Gain 185.
Figure 5. Camera Control window.

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3.2 Capture (Figure 6)
The Capture tab sets your exposure
time, exposure type, save path,
subframing, and other options.
Exposure
Set the exposure time in seconds. You
can also specify fractions of seconds,
like 0.5 seconds or 1.75 seconds, for
example.
Type
Choose from Light, Dark, Flat, and
Bias. Most of the time you will only
need to choose from Light and
Dark frames, but for the best results,
you can also take Flat frames. See
“Astronomical Imaging – Dark Frames,
Flat Fields”. To start imaging or
focusing, take Light frames.
Bin
You can bin 1x1, or 2x2. For most
imaging, you should always keep the
setting at 1x1, which provides the full
resolution of the camera. Binning 2x2
will group 2 horizontal and 2 vertical
pixels, and is most commonly used
to quickly nd and frame a celestial
object. Binning in these modes
provides faster download times and
greater sensitivity.
Subframe
You can selectively download a segment of the whole eld of view to provide
extremely fast download times. This is useful for focusing since you typically just
concentrate on one star. Click and drag the mouse across part of the image to
form a square (Figure7), then check the Subframe box. The subframe size and
coordinates will also be displayed in the Subframe dialog.
Note: Make sure the Subframe box is unchecked when you start capturing your
astrophotos, or you could unintentionally subframe your images into a small
square!
Capture – Single
Takes a single exposure only. The exposure length will be determined by the
Exposure value in seconds you entered.
Figure 7. Subframing a small area
speeds up the download time and allows
you to concentrate on one area of the chip;
ideal for focusing.
Figure 6. Capture window.

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Capture – Loop
Continuously takes exposures until
you press Stop. The Stop button will
only appear when taking a single
or looping exposure. The Loop is
useful for focusing when you are at
the telescope and wish to monitor the
focusing progress on your monitor.
Capture – Sequence
Automatically capture and save
images. This is a very convenient
feature. It allows you to save your
images while you sleep or do other
tasks. In the Sequence window
(Figure 8), you can set your destination Directory to save your images to,
as well as specify the same parameters you would in the Capture tab, like
Exposure, Type, and Bin. In the Sequence window you can also specify
Repeat, to set the total number of exposures you want to automatically capture.
Click Run Sequence when you are ready to begin.
Capture – Color: Raw, YCbCr, RGB (for StarShoot G4 Color only)
These modes determine what kind of images will be captured. If you are using
the StarShoot G4 Color, we recommend always capturing in Raw to allow for
image calibration later (See “Image Processing – Calibrate Raws”). The image
will appear black and white at rst, but can later be converted to color. But for
quick imaging to instantly get color, you can select YCbCr (the most natural color
from the camera), or software-processed RGB.
Note: The StarShoot G4 Monochrome will have this feature disabled since the
images can only be captured in monochrome.
Capture – Auto dark
If you save a dark frame you can optionally check the Auto dark box to
automatically calibrate the saved dark frame each time you capture an image.
While this can be convenient, we recommend keeping this feature off under
normal use, since enabling it permanently affects the raw data you capture.
Capture – New buffer
Check this box to display a new window each time a new image is captured. This
is useful to compare or keep the image open without saving it. Keep in mind that
more images will consume more system memory. The New buffer box should be
left unchecked during multiple looping exposures or long sequences.
Figure 8. The Sequence dialog allows
you to set your exposure then automatically
image while you are away from the
computer.

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3.3 Histogram (Figure 9)
The Histogram window displays
how the bright and dark pixels are
distributed in your image. You can
make all the adjustments to the
Histrogram you want to reveal the
details within the image, and it will not
affect the image data, only the way it
is displayed. Choose the presets like
Medium, or drag the light and dark
markers manually to adjust the image
on your screen. Your computer monitor
only displays 8-bits of depth from black
to white, whereas your StarShoot G4
camera takes images with 16 bits of
depth. That’s the difference between
255 counts and 65,535 counts! So
you need to check the Histogram to
see how much image detail you really
have.
3.4. Analysis (Figure 10)
The Analysis window displays
quantitative data from the image
pertaining to pixel brightness and star
diameter. Your mouse cursor position
will focus on that region of the image
for the Analysis display (Figure 10).
The information displayed is very
useful, but for beginning astro-imagers,
concentrate mainly on getting the smallest HFD possible when focusing on a
star.
To aid in focusing turn on the Large HFD display window.
Actual
Displays the brightness value of the pixel your mouse cursor is pointing at
(Figure 10). This value is known as an Analog to Digital Unit (ADU). The camera
can theoretically get as high as 65535 ADUs in value. The image will start to
saturate (or overexpose) at around 50,000 ADU. This demonstrates the large
range in brightness that 16 bits of data has, and is one of the reasons the
StarShoot G4 can capture dynamic images with faint detail.
Maximum
Displays the highest ADU pixel value for the immediate area.
Figure 9. The sliders on the Histogram
can be adjusted to reveal lighter or darker
depths of the image.
Figure 10. The Analysis window displays
useful data about your image. Hovering the
mouse over a star will also display the HFD
value which indicates the star diameter for
best focus.