MODEL ST-9E CCD IMAGING CAMERA

The ST-9E is identical to the ST-7E and ST-8E cameras with the exception of the imaging CCD.  The ST-9E utilizes the same patented dual sensor head design integrating one CCD for self-guiding and another CCD for imaging.  In the case of the ST-9E the imaging sensor is the new Enhanced KAF-0261E detector from Kodak.  The ST-9E Imaging Camera is ideal for use on long focal length scopes where a larger field of view than an ST-7E is desired, but one's budget does not allow for an ST-8E camera.  Large scopes, even those with relatively fast f/ratios, have focal lengths that "waste" sensitivity of cameras using detectors with small pixels.  Longer focal lengths also mean smaller fields of view given a fixed detector size.   Take, for example, a C-14 at f/7, 16" SCT at f/6.3 and a 20" f/5.  In all of these cases the telescopes have focal lengths of about 98 to 100 inches.  When used at 100 inches of focal length, the 9 micron pixels of the ST-7 and ST-8 cameras subtend about 0.7 arcseconds - a bit small for this focal length.  So these cameras are often operated binned 2x2 at focal lengths of 100 inches or more unless the optics and seeing are rather exceptional.  For the ST-8 this is no problem because the detector has 1.5 million pixels and binning 2x2 still leaves the user with a reasonable 765 x 510 pixels @ 18 microns.  But binning the ST-7 2x2 yields an image that is 382 x 255 so the image size on the monitor begins to get small for this size camera.  However, the ST-9E's 20 micron pixels subtend about 1.6 arcseconds per pixel at 100 inches focal length without binning.  Just about perfect for typical seeing conditions.  This gives the user the advantage of larger more sensitive pixels and a reasonably large image of 512 x 512.   Moreover, when the FOV of the ST-9E is nearly as large as an ST-8. 

M13.  ST-9E prototype First Light: a single 120 second cropped image taken through a 10" f/6.3 SCT (1/4 size).  Michael Barber / SBIG	M33.  ST-9E production First Light: a single 360 second image taken through a 12" SCT at f/6.3.  Courtesy Gary Hug

Sensitivity:

With its relatively large (20 micron) pixels, the ST-9E is approximately 20 times as sensitive as a standard ST-7 ABG camera with a field of view approximately 3.3x as large as the ST-7.  This compares very favorably with an ST-8E operating in binned mode at about half the cost of the ST-8E.  So for long focal lengths where one cannot take advantage of the smaller pixels of the ST-7E or ST-8E, the ST-9E is an excellent choice.      

	Relative Intensities Recorded in image	ST-8 ABG	ST-8E ABG	ST-9E NABG
	(A)  Background	1	1.3	14.2
	(B)  Star peak (color unknown)	1	2.0	13.7
	(C), (D) H-a regions	1	2.2	18.4
	(E) OIII bright (~50% above background)	1	2.1	25.0
	(F) OIII faint (>10% above background)	1	1.5	20.0
M27.  LRGB color image for reference only by Robert Dalby

Field of View:

The diagram and image below demonstrates the larger field of view one obtains with the ST-9E detector compared to the ST-7.  Note this has nothing to do with the number of pixels on the detector or how the image is displayed on your computer monitor.  Rather, it is strictly based on the overall size of the detector.

Relative CCD szes

Full frame is the field of view of the ST-9E at 110 inches focal length.  The area inside the white box is the field of view of the ST-7 at the same focal length.

One month after taking delivery of one of our first production ST-9E cameras, two amateurs, Gary Hug and Graham Bell, discovered a ~19th magnitude comet:  Comet P/1999 X1 Hug-Bell.  With a single exception we are informed that this is the faintest comet ever discovered by an amateur astronomer.   Gary and Graham were using a 12" SCT at f/6.3.  The discovery was made while blinking 6 minute exposures taken in search of an asteroid.  Subsequent 10 minute and 20 minute exposures revealed the comet's tail.

Discovery image (reduced) with comet P/1999 X1 Hug-Bell in the highlighted box. Gary Hug writes:  "The comet (P/1999 X1 Hug-Bell) was discovered Dec 10th and has been published in the IAU Circular #7331.  Orbital information shows this comet to orbit between Mars and just outside Jupiter's orbit  although some distance above the giant planet's path.  It's currently about magnitude 18.5,  located near the beehive cluster, and was magnitude 18.8 at discovery.   The comet will maintain a near even brightness for the next few weeks then gradually fade.  It's period is 7.01 yrs.

Model ST-9E CCD Specifications:

Readout Specifications

Optical Specifications (8" f/10)

System Specifications

Physical Dimensions

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