New Range of Firewire Astro Camera

[AstroTasmania]

HI All,

Well-known "Imaging Source", supplier of Firewire cameras now have a range of cameras that go up to 60 minutes exposure time. Keep in mind that these are professional/ industrial/medical grade Firewire cameras that have proved so popular around the world, that "Imaging Source" Germany. have introduced a series for astronomical use. Keep tuned in, I will have more info on these cameras in due course.

These are the CCD sizes they make in B&W, Colour & Bayer.
a.. 1/4" CCD, progressive scan
a.. 640 x 480 pixel
a.. 1/3" CCD, progressive scan
a.. 1024 x 768 pixel
a.. 1/2" CCD, progressive scan
a.. 1280 x 960 pixel

And this is a link to their NEW astronomy camera range in the same sizes, which go up to 60 minutes exposure time.
http://www.astronomycameras.com/en/products/

Link to sample astro images from astro users.:
http://www.astronomycameras.com/en/products/sample-images.htm

Link to Newsletter: http://www.astronomycameras.com/en/newsletter/

I would love to see some 60 second images, etc.

Clear skies...
Shevill

[Radar]

Yeah I'd be interested in seeing a 60 minute exposure as well. They look like they can take a good pic.

Ray

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Ray,

Yes, these are professional industry standard cameras, not modified webcams, also they are progressive scan so do not suffer from interlace artefact.

In normal video, the image is scanned twice at 1/50th sec, two fields, one of odd lines & one of even lines, then interlaced together to form one image frame. Now, the downside of this is that if there is any movement at all in the subject, then when the fields are interlaced, the image will not be sharp! Now this makes smoother pictures to watch with the human eye because of the eye's approx 1/25th second exposure.

With progressive scan this does not happen and there is no interlacing and in normal video it looks a bit jerky. In scientific imaging, this is not a problem, quite the reverse. Just do a Google on video interlace & progressive scan, -it will be illustrated with images I suspect to explain the process.

In Photoshop and such, there is a video filter to enable you to select either the odd or even line field and one image may be sharper, so you keep that and fill in the missing lines with interpolation or duplicate.

And so it goes,

Clear skies...

Shevill

[Radar]

In Photoshop and such, there is a video filter to enable you to select either the odd or even line field and one image may be sharper, so you keep that and fill in the missing lines with interpolation or duplicate.


Hey Shev,

Where abouts can I find this filter?

Cheers

Ray

[wakaleo]

I saw these cameras advertised in the current Sky and Space magazine (which arrived as hoped on last Wednesday's mail plane) and oooh'd and ahhh'd at the prospect of having one. The exchequer has restricted my spending for the rest of the year though so I'll have to wait!

Jim

[AstroTasmania]

HI,

Don't worry, the wait will be very worth while. I have had experience of Firewire Progressive Scan cameras in my medical imaging work- and they are superb, they will claim a large share of the astronomy market, I suspect before too long.

Clear skies...
Shevill

Stay tuned!