m16 via STC-7

Discussion in 'My Astrophotos' started by Tim Povlick, Jun 9, 2021.

  1. Tim Povlick

    Tim Povlick Cyanogen Customer

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    Here's an m16 taken last night - a stack of fifteen with each exposure of 6 minutes (1.5 hrs total). Temps are warm in the SW deserts of US but the camera managed -10c.

    Scope : TMB 152 - f/7.9
    Camera: Diffraction Limited STC- 7
    Guider: ST402
    Mount: AstroPhysics AP900


    _..--
    Tim
     

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  2. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    That goes pretty deep! These sensors also have low dark current - it works very well at -10C.
     
  3. Tim Povlick

    Tim Povlick Cyanogen Customer

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    Sure does... Sensors dark current is very low while being very sensitive to the photons.

    The sensor + cooling + Dark Subtract yields good results. BTW, only three dark frames were used.
    Not expecting such a good result. M16 is max of 35° elevation and that area of the sky has some light pollution from a certain gambling city in NV (33 mi away).

    Next week temps will be 43°C highs and 24°C lows. Does DL sell a liquid nitrogen cooled camera? :)
     
  4. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Our bigger ones like the AC4040 have ports for water cooling - it helps get the heat out.
    https://diffractionlimited.com/product/aluma-ac4040/
    The Front-Side Illuminated Class 2 are in stock; Class 1 are back ordered while we wait on more chips...

    And we can talk about a vacuum or dewar-based camera if you don't mind the 2nd mortgage on the house...
     
  5. Tim Povlick

    Tim Povlick Cyanogen Customer

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    The AC 4040 / C2 is a good price point. The BSI version would be more desirable, but the price is astronomical.

    Tim
     
  6. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Like the Teledyne e2v CCD47-10, the GSENSE4040BSI is a back-illuminated chip, and is state-of-the art; I mean, we're almost talking counting every single photon with the 90%+ QE of these chips - slashes exposure time!
    Basically get 25-50% more done in a night.
    Plus we know GPixel Inc. makes the chips out of unobtainium... long lead times.
     

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