Hi Greg,
Very impressive result - you're right to be pleased with yourself! Given
that you've managed to image galaxies with such short exposures, the dark
frame is remarkably clean. Have you implemented an amp-off mod?
Cheers,
Jon.
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Beeke [mailto:greg.beeke_at_btinternet.com]
Sent: 08 April 2003 00:37
To: QCUIAG_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [QCUIAG] New ICX414 based camera
<p>Hi,
It can be revealed that I am the one with the permanent smile on my face.
The ICX414AL is the big brother of the ICX424AL CCD. The CCD size is 0.5",
with 9.9 micron square pixels.
It was clear tonight so I decided to quickly hot-melt-glue it into an old
case and give it first light. The attached image is a stack of 33 x 2
second frames at 100% gain. The mount was a Black & Decker Workmate, so
tracking is sub-optimal ;^)). I'm not sure of the target, but I was trying
to aim in the region of Coma Berenices, to see if I could pick up any
galaxies. I think that I may have succeeded. If any one recognises the
area or has any tools to match it, I'd be grateful as I'd like to determine
the limiting maginitude. North is Up, East is Left, Alt-Az orientation. FOV
is 161x121arcmin (135mm telephoto lens at f/2.5).
The camera appears to be pretty sensitive and dark current is remarkably
low. A 60 dark is attached, but this is rather academic as skyglow washed
out everything, when using 10s at 100% gain :^)) at my rural site.
Still a long way to go to prove the design, but I'm pleased and relieved
that the first images are promising (I haven't even removed the protective
film from the CCD window yet).
Many, many thanks to Steve Chambers for his advice, and encouragement to
give this chip a go, and of course for the original long exposure mod and
the ground-breaking 424 camera.
Cheers
Greg
52N6 1W22
www.greg.beeke.btinternet.co.uk <http://www.greg.beeke.btinternet.co.uk>
