These
are my two cameras. The top is a long exposure modified Philips Vesta 690.
This camera is now mostly used for color planetary and Lunar imaging and
also doubles as a guide camera. The
lower camera is a long exposure modified Philips ToUcam Pro. Also, the CCD
has been replaced with a more sensitive Sony ICX424 B&W CCD.
This camera has also had the RAW mode software modification. It is my
camera of choice for long exposure DSO imaging.
The ToUcam is built
into a different enclosure that utilizes a T-thread mount. The
nosepiece has a built in filter cartridge for RGB filters for color
images. .Both cameras have aluminum fingers for ice cooling of the CCDs.
(No Peltier yet!).
The Vesta Nosepiece
mount is available from Steven
Mogg. It is threaded to accept filters and
more importantly focal reducers Steven Mogg also makes a good focal
reducer. The ToUcam nosepiece/filter drawer is available from SAC Imaging.
Accessories:.
Across the top... filters IR Block, H-Alpha
, RGB set, and SkyGlo. Also used (but not shown) is a Baader IR/UV
cut filter.
Lower Left... the two nosepieces separated
from the cameras, filter holders.
Skies at my house
are not very dark, so I usually travel to dark sites. The scope set up and
cameras are portable enough but the need power (and so does the Laptop
sometime). I have a 42 AHR battery; I built a simple control panel with a
built in charger. Also included is a small 120 Vac inverter for AC
accessories. I carry it all in a soft lunch cooler.
The Observatory!
Here is the equipment setup on my backyard
patio. You can see it is not the best of locations, so I travel often to
dark sites. It is interesting to note however, that many pictures on this
site are taken from these light polluted skies.
Other convenient accessories shown include
an adjustable observing stool and a small table for the laptop.
All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes
-
copyright 2003 - 2012