Celestron 95510 SKYRIS 618C, 95511 SKYRIS 618M, 95512 SKYRIS 445C, 95514 SKYRIS 274C, 95515 SKYRIS 274M Instruction Manual

inStRuctional manual

uSB 3.0 ASTRONOMICAL CCD CAMERA

95510 SKYRIS 618C
95511 SKYRIS 618M
95512 SKYRIS 445C
95513 SKYRIS 445M
95514 SKYRIS 2 74 C
95515 SKYRIS 2 74 M

2

SyStem RequiRementS

// Computer with Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8 (32-bit and 64-bit supported)

// Pentium

®

M processor equivalent or higher, 1.7 GHz or higher

// USB 3.0 (for maximum performance) or USB 2.0

// 1 GB or more of system memory

// 20 GB or more hard disk space (recommended)

// Telescope with a 1.25” eyepiece holder or adapter with C-threads

// Motorized Mount, Altitude-Azimuth or German Equatorial (recommended)

NOSEPIECE

SKYRIS CAMERA BODY

iCAP SOFTWARE CD

USB 3.0 CABLE

included itemS

NOSEPIECE

3

cameRa dRiVeR inStallation

1.

Insert the software CD into your

computer’s CD-ROM drive.

The language selection
screen will appear.

2. Select your language

and click OK. The iCap
Software launch screen
will appear.

4

The Skyris camera will also operate in USB 2.0 at a reduced frame rate.

3. Click Install Driver. The Driver

Installation Wizard will appear
and prompt you to connect
your camera.

4. Plug the Skyris camera into

the computer’s USB port
using the included cable. If
equipped, use a USB 3.0
port. The Driver Installation
Wizard will automatically
detect your Skyris model.
Click Next and proceed
through the prompts until the
driver installation is complete.

5

SoftwaRe inStallation

1. Click Install iCap and follow the prompts to complete installation.

2. Click Install RegiStax and follow the prompts to complete installation.

connecting the cameRa
to a teleScope

1. Remove the dust cap on

the camera body and thread
the 1.25” nosepiece to the
camera body. The threaded
ring on the camera body
should still be attached.

2. Insert the camera into the

1.25” eyepiece holder on your
telescope. The camera body
can also attach to a camera
adapter with C-threads,
typically requiring the use of a
T-to-C adapter.

1.25” nosepiece

1.25” visual back

Optional T-to-C Adapter (not included)

6

captuRing imageS

Detailed Solar System images are created by stacking several individual images
or “frames” to one master image. The images are captured in video, allowing you
to accumulate hundreds of frames in just a few seconds. The video fi les will later
be exported to RegiStax and processed as shown in “Processing Images.”

1. Set up your telescope and point it at a bright target such as the Moon or

Jupiter. Center the target in your eyepiece, then remove the eyepiece.
Remove the diagonal if you are using one. Some refractor telescopes may
require an extension tube when used without the diagonal.

2. Plug the camera into your computer’s USB port. If

equipped, use the USB 3.0 port on your computer,
which may also bear the USB SuperSpeed logo
(see right). When connecting the cable to the Skyris
camera, use the threaded fasteners to provide the most
secure connection.

3. Insert the camera into the 1.25” eyepiece holder on your telescope as

shown previously in this manual, “Connecting the Camera to a Telescope.”

4. Locate the iCap shortcut on your desktop and open iCap.

iCap 2.3

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5. Select your Skyris camera from the

Available Video Capture Devices
window and click OK.

6. The live video window will

automatically appear and
display the framerate. Gain
and exposure are defaulted to
automatic, but you may need to
make adjustments for the object
you are imaging.

7. If a defocused image appears,

focus the telescope until it appears
sharp on your screen. If no image
appears, confirm your telescope
is still centered on a bright object
and proceed to step 8.

8. Go to the Device menu and select

Properties. Click the Exposure
tab to access the Gain and
Exposure. Uncheck the Auto box

for each to allow for adjustments.

8

Video framerate will depend on the Skyris model used and the exposure. If the exposure time is
slower than the camera’s maximum frame rate, the FPS count will closely match the exposure time
(1/exposure time).

For iCap version 2.3, use the dropdown menu to select the framerate closest to the exposure time
used. For example, if the exposure time is 1/34 sec, select 30 FPS.

9. In the Capture menu, select Toggle

Recording Info Dialog.

10. Click on the Codec icon to access

the Recording Settings window.

We highly recommend selecting Uncompressed to retain the full
image quality and size. Note that Uncompressed will consume
a significant amount of hard disk space in a very short time. Be
mindful of the file sizes when creating AVI files.

Choose RGB32 or Y800. For Skyris

color cameras, choose RGB32 which will
record in color, making export easier. You
can also select Y800 in color models;
however, you must debayer (color convert)
the image later when processing.
RegiStax is included with your software
CD and will debayer the images.

9

11. Click on the Video File tab to access the

file naming convention settings. Choose
the folder path you wish to save your
video, and select an object name and time
stamp if desired. Check the Index box to
automatically number your video files.

12. Click the Advanced tab to access

custom video recording limits. You can
choose to limit the recording by the
number of frames or length of time.
Remember that these AVI files will
consume massive amounts of hard
disk space very quickly. Click OK
when finished.

13. Click the red record icon to

begin recording.

10

pRoceSSing imageS

Now that your video file is recorded, you can export it to RegiStax to stack and
process into a final image.

1. Double-click the RegiStax icon on your computer’s desktop

to start the program.

Familiarize yourself with the initial
RegiStax screen.

A

B

D

C

E

If the object you are imaging does not consume most of the field
of view, you can select an ROI (region of interest) to save hard
disk space. Go to the Device menu and select ROI Specifiy,
or click on the ROI icon. Draw the ROI with your mouse, then
click inside the red box to set the ROI. The ROI can be reset any
time by clicking the reset icon or going back to the Device menu.

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2. Press the Select button (A) and select the video that was just recorded.

3. Press the Set Alignment Points button (B) to have RegiStax

automatically select the alignment positions over your image.

4. Press the Align button (C) to begin the alignment process.

5. Select the Best Frame option under the Limit Setup box (D) and enter

a number that represents one-half of the number of image frames that
were captured, i.e. if 300 frames were captured, then enter 150. Press
the Limit button (E).

6. You will automatically advance to the Stack

screen. Accept the default settings and press
the Stack button (F).

7. Next move to the wavelet processing screen

by clicking on the Wavelet tab (G).

F

G

H

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coloR and monochRome
acceSSoRieS

An optional IR-Block filter is available for Skyris color cameras. CCD cameras
are very sensitive across visual and infrared spectrums. While imaging in infrared
(IR) can be desired in some cases, consider blocking the IR to keep the best
sharpness and color balance in your astroimages.

Skyris monochrome cameras require the use of Red, Green, and Blue (RGB)
imaging filters to achieve a color image. A filter wheel is necessary to easily
toggle between the filters while imaging. A Skyris Filter Wheel is available from
Celestron (filters not included).

8. On the Wavelet page, use the wavelet sliders (H) to enhance the image.

The power of RegiStax sits in the usage of wavelets. This is a special
filtering technique that is very good for enhancing details in images.
Each wavelet layer carries part of the image within it. The lower numbered
wavelets control the fine detail stored in the image whereas the larger
numbered wavelets control the coarse detail. Each layer can be adjusted
individually to reveal the desired amount of detail for your image.

9. Finally, press the Save Image button to save the final image.

To explore the many other features of RegiStax and view helpful tutorials, go to the RegiStax homepage at:
http://www.astronomie.be/registax/index.html

13

tipS

FOCUSING

To achieve best focus, concentrate on a high contrast feature of the object you are
imaging. Focusing on small features such as a moon’s shadow on Jupiter or Cassini’s
division in the ring of Saturn will guarantee best focus across the entire image.

Once the frames of your video are stacked, the overall brightness of the composite
(stacked) image is usually brighter than its individual component frames. For this
reason it is best to keep the brightness of the video image seen on the screen
dimmer than you would normally desire. It is important that no part of the image is
over-exposed to assure the maximum amount of detail in the final composite image.

COLLIMATION

No matter what type of telescope you image with, poor collimation (alignment of
the optics) will ruin your chances for a good image. Before you begin imaging,
always check the collimation of your instrument and make adjustments if necessary.
Refer to your telescopes owner’s manual for instructions on collimating the optics.

FINDING OBJECTS

At first it can be difficult to locate individual planets due to their relative brightness.
To make it easier to initially find your object in the imaging window, increase the
brightness and gain controls on the Device Menu Properties. This will allow you to
better see the object as it passes through the imaging window. Once the object is
located and centered, you can adjust the setting until the object is at the desired
brightness and contrast.

HOW LONG TO TAKE STREAMING VIDEO

At first you may think that the more frames you record the better. However there

14

are some limitations to the duration of video and the amount of frames you can
acquire. Resolution and file size can both limit the length of time of your video.

Since RegiStax will combine as many sharp frames as possible to achieve one
high-quality image, you don’t want to take too many images that you start to
detect the rotation of the planet, especially on Jupiter which makes one complete
rotation in under 10 hours!

Also each frame of a high resolution video can equal a large file size. Hundreds
or thousands of frames will consume a significant amount of hard disk space. We
recommend storing your large video files on removable media, such as an external
hard drive or DVD.

SOLAR IMAGING

Skyris cameras work well with solar telescopes or telescopes equipped with
solar filters, including Hydrogen-Alpha or white-light filters.

AUTOGUIDING

Your Skyris can be utilized as an autoguiding camera when used in junction with an
off-axis guider or piggyback guidescope. Skyris is compatible with many autoguiding
software programs such as MetaGuide (www.astrogeeks.com/Bliss/MetaGuide), and
PHD Guiding (www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html) using a guider port interface
such as GPUSB from Shoestring Astronomy (www.store.shoestringastronomy.com).

Celestron mounts can be used without a GPUSB, simply by interfacing the PC to
the hand controller and connecting to the mount via ASCOM. An RS-232 to USB
adapter and serial cable is required.

C-MOUNT LENSES

Skyris cameras can be used with an optional C-mount lens (not included). The
threaded ring on the camera body provides C-mount distancing at 17.5mm.

15

SpecificationS

cameRa-Specific SpecificationS

Skyris 618M
(95511)

Skyris 618C
(95510)

Skyris 445M
(95513)

Skyris 445C
(95512)

Skyris 274M
(95515)

Skyris 274C
(95514)

Max frame
rate

120 fps 30 fps 20 fps

Imaging
sensor

Sony
ICX618ALA
Monochrome
CCD

Sony
ICX618AQA
Color
CCD

Sony
ICX445ALA
Monochrome
CCD

Sony
ICX445AQA
Color
CCD

Sony
ICX274AL
Monochrome
CCD

Sony
ICX274AQ
Color
CCD

Operating
environment

40°C to -40°C (104°F to -40°F)

Camera
resolution

640x480 1280x960 1600x1200

Sensor size 4.46 mm x 3.80 mm 6.26 mm x 5.01 mm 8.5 mm x 6.8 mm

Pixel size 5.6 micron square 3.75 micron square 4.4 micron square

Mounting 1.25” barrel and

C-thread

Backfocus Distance
w/Nosepiece, w/C-thread

19mm, 17.5mm

Shutter CCD Global Shutter

Subframing Selectable

Software
compatibility

iCap, IC Capture,
DirectShow

A/D Conversion 12-bit

Power
Requirements

USB, 5V 500mA

Weight 3.6 oz

©2013 Celestron. Celestron and Symbol are trademarks of Celestron, LLC. All rights reserved.

CELESTRON, LLC. 2835 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA • 90503 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] • www.celestron.com

FCC Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Designed and intended for those 13 years of age and older.