Orion PARSEC 8300C, PARSEC 10100C, PARSEC 8300M User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Orion® Parsec™ Series

Astronomical Imaging Cameras

Parsec 8300C (Color) #52075

Parsec 8300M (Monochrome) #52077

Parsec 10100C (Color) #52078

#52078

Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975

OrionTelescopes.com

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© 2008-2011 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

IN 383 Rev. B 11/11

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...........................4

1.1. The Parsec 8300 .............................. 4

1.2. The Parsec 10100C............................ 4

1.3. Feature Highlights ............................. 5

2. Getting Started ........................6

2.1. Parts List .............................................6

2.2. System Requirements .......................... 7

2.3. Software and Driver Installation................... 9

3. Software Walk-Through .................10

3.1. The Camera Control Window ................... 11

3.2. The Screen Stretch Window .................... 14

4. Astronomical Imaging ..................16

4.1. Focusing ................................... 17

4.2. Setting the Cooler ............................ 19

4.3. Imaging Deep Sky Objects ..................... 20

6. Multiple Camera Control for Autoguiding ...34

6.1. Autoguider Calibration ......................... 34

7. Other Features Of MaxIm DL ............37

7.1. Information Window ........................... 37

7.2. Night Vision ................................. 37

7.3. Observatory Control Window.................... 38

8. Tips ................................38

8.1. Polar Alignment .............................. 38

8.2. Choosing a Site for Astro-Imaging................ 39

8.3. Using Focal Reducers and Barlow Lenses ......... 40

8.4. Filters...................................... 40

8.5. USB Extension Cable ......................... 40

8.6. Care and Maintenance ........................ 40

9. Specifications ........................42

5. Image Processing .....................26

5.1. Image Calibration............................. 26

5.2. Convert Raw to Color (For Parsec 8300C and 10100) 27

5.3. Stacking – Combining Images................... 28

5.4. Filter....................................... 32

5.5. Color Balance ............................... 32

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1. Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of astro-imaging. Your new

™

Parsec
ing professional quality astro-images of your favorite celestial
objects. You can showcase spectacular images on your com­puter, share them on the internet, or print them. The camera’s
large 8.3 mega-pixel array provides very high resolution imag­es which are great for publishing in large prints.

Please read this instruction manual before attempting to use the camera or install
the needed software. For the most detailed information on specific camera and
software functions, consult the Maxim DL Help Topics included with the CD; the
tutorials found there are especially useful for familiarizing yourself with the soft­ware and camera.

1.1. The Parsec 8300

The Parsec 8300 is a high resolution, 8.3 megapixel CCD with a dual-stage,
regulated thermoelectric cooler to enable maximum imaging performance. Both
the 8300M and 8300C are very sensitive and capable of detecting faint deep sky
objects in a short exposure; and longer exposures can reveal extremely deep
fields with subtle nebulosity and galaxies in the background.

The unique versatility of the Kodak KAF8300 full frame CCD lets you take advan­tage of the densely-packed pixel array. 1x1 mode (3326 x 2504) utilizes the full
resolution of the camera, providing the most detailed images and largest possible
prints. Binning in 2x2 mode (1663 x 1252) increases the camera’s sensitivity and
full well capacity (meaning it can collect more light) at the expense of resolution.
Binning in 2x2 mode can be especially useful for longer focal length and higher
focal ratio telescopes. Note that the Parsec 8300C model will not have any color
in 2x2 mode.

1.2. The Parsec 10100C

The 10.7 megapixel Parsec 10100C uses Kodak’s KAI10100 interline CCD. It has
the same cooling system and architecture as the Parsec 8300, but with slightly
faster data transfer to accommodate the higher number of pixels (3760 x 2840 in
1x1, 1880 x 1420 in 2x2). Additionally the number of binning modes includes 1x1
(full resolution), 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4.

This CCD chip offers the unique ability to image in color at 1x1 mode, as well
as 2x2 mode. This is advantageous when imaging with different focal lengths. In
general, the longer focal length telescopes (like RCs and SCTs) are more suited
to image with in 2x2 for this particular CCD sensor, because the pixels are small.
Imaging in 2x2 mode makes each pixel size the equivalent of 10.8 microns instead
of 5.4 in 1x1 mode. Binning 2x2 with color cameras is normally captured in mono­chrome only. But the Parsec 10100C can bin 2x2 in color.

Astronomical Imaging Camera is capable of captur-

Tripod adapter

LED 2

Power port USB port

LED 1

Figure 1. Parsec ports and LEDs.

1.3. Feature Highlights

• Simple interface: A USB port and power port are all that’s needed to
power and connect to the Parsec (Figure 1).

• Dual-stage thermoelectric cooler: Dramatically reduces thermal noise in
all images.

• Regulated cooling: Enables you to set the exact temperature within the
cooling range of the camera. This allows you to take calibration images like
dark frames at the exact same temperature as your light frames, making for
the cleanest images possible. Additionally, since you can match the CCD
temperature at any time (within the range of the cooler), you have the freedom
to take dark frames when it’s most convenient for you, so you don’t have to use
up valuable imaging time to take dark frames.

• Regulated cooling fan speed: Three fan speed settings allow you to set
the speed to your liking. High is the loudest but most effective setting.

• Shutter: A shutter is necessary for Kodak CCD chips, but it also enables
you to automatically take dark frames without having to cap the front of
your telescope. This is especially useful when taking autosave image
sequences.

• High speed USB 2.0 interface and internal memory buffer: The full
frame 32 megabyte SDRAM on-board memory ensures a clean image
download each time, even if the system resources of your PC are
temporarily compromised. The high-speed USB 2.0 downloads the full
frame within 15 seconds depending on your computer speed.

• Compact design: With a footprint of just 4" x 4" with 3" of depth, the
Parsec easily fits into your imaging setup. The Parsec’s compact size also
makes the camera suitable for Celestron

®

Hyperstar or Fastar systems.

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Parsec LED Status Indicators

LED 1 LED 2

On/Idle Solid Blink
Exposing Off Blink
Reading Solid Solid
Downloading Solid Blink

Figure 2.

The Parsec’s LED status indicators

Hard carrying case

Parsec 8300

Figure 3.1. The shutter is free to move

when the Parsec is off.

Figure 3.2. The shutter resets its

position and holds firmly in place when the
Parsec is powered on.

• LED Status Indicator: Two LEDs on the Parsec indicate the camera
power, exposure, image readout, and download (Figure 2)

A Note about the Shutter

The Parsec’s leaf shutter moves freely when the camera is off. You may notice the
shutter in an arbitrary position when removing the dust cap from the nosepiece
(Figure 3.1). This is normal and does not affect operation in any way. Once the
Parsec is powered on, current is applied to the shutter’s motor and the shutter
position resets and firmly holds its place. (Figure 3.2)

2. Getting Started

2.1. Parts List (Figure 4)

• Parsec Astronomical Imaging Camera

• 2" nosepiece (camera ships with nosepiece attached)

• USB cable

• DC power cable with lighter plug

• CD-ROM

• Hard carrying case

USB cable

DC power cable
with lighter plug

2" nosepiece
(camera ships with
nosepiece attached)

CD-ROM

Figure 4. Parts list

Figure 5.1. The Parsec fits into a 2"

focuser, just like a standard 2" eyepiece.
Firmly tighten the thumbscrew that secures
the Parsec in the focuser.

Figure 5.2. If your telescope has

T-threads, remove the nosepiece from the
Parsec and thread the camera directly
onto the telescope. This provides the most
secure connection.

2.2. System Requirements

Telescope

The Parsec can be used with most telescopes compatible with 2" format eyepiec­es. The camera is simply inserted into a focuser in the same way as a standard
eyepiece (Figure 5.1). The camera is also compatible with 1.25" focusers that
include camera T-threads, although some vignetting (edge darkening) may occur.

Caution: Be sure to always firmly tighten the thumbscrew(s) that secure the
Parsec in the telescope focuser, or it could fall out and onto the ground!

If your telescope has T-threads for direct camera attachment, a more secure con­nection can be made. First, unthread the nosepiece from the Parsec camera body.
This exposes the camera’s T-threads. Then, simply thread the camera onto your
telescope (Figure 5.2).

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The camera’s pixel size and sensitivity make the Parsec suitable for most tele­scopes. For telescopes with very long focal lengths (2000mm and greater), you
can optionally bin 2x2 (see section 2. Astronomical Imaging) to utilize greater
sensitivity and obtain sharper images at the expense of resolution. Note that the
Parsec 8300C (color) camera will lose its color information if binning in 2x2.

Because the Parsec uses a larger format CCD chip, a telescope with a 2"
focuser is recommended to for full field illumination. You can still use the

camera with a 1.25" focuser if it has optional T-threads; however, some vignetting
(edge-darkening) may occur in the images.

Backfocus Requirement

The Parsec requires 29.24mm (1.151") of backfocus. This is the distance from the
front of the T-threads to the CCD sensor.

Mount

Deep sky imaging with the Parsec requires an equatorial mount with a right ascen­sion (R.A.) motor drive. The goal for your mount is to seamlessly track the appar­ent movement of the sky as the Earth rotates. The tracking must be very accurate,
or the object you want to image will drift and blur across the camera’s field of view
while the exposure is taken. Even a small amount of drift will cause a star to look
oblong instead of a round point. We recommend using a high-quality equatorial
mount which utilizes periodic error correction (PEC) or has the ability to interface
with an autoguider.

Computer

The Parsec requires a PC to operate the camera. For astro-imaging in the field at
night, a laptop computer is highly recommended. The included software is Maxim
DL which requires Windows XP, or Windows Vista operating systems.

The following hardware is also required:

• Processor – 700 MHz speed or higher, Pentium

™

III equivalent or higher

• Recommended minimum memory size is 512 MB.

• Disk Space – 380 MB for software installation, 1GB or more to store

images is recommended.

• Video Display – 1024 X 768 or higher, 16-bit color or higher.

• Mouse

• Internet Explorer 4 or higher required to display on-line help

• High-speed USB 2.0 port

Power

The Parsec requires 12 volts DC (12VDC) with approximately 2 amperes of cur­rent. Power to the entire camera, including the thermo-electric cooler (TEC), and
fan is supplied by the included power cable when plugged into a 12VDC power
source.

Imaging in the field usually requires the
use of a portable field battery to sup­ply power, or you can use a 110VAC
to 12VDC power converter if you have
access to an AC outlet. Make sure
the power supply provides at least 2
amperes of current. This allows the
Parsec TEC to use 100% of its potential
cooling power.

2.3. Software and Driver
Installation

Before the camera can be used, the
software and camera drivers must be
installed onto your computer. Turn on
your computer and allow the Windows operating system to load as normal. Insert
the included CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive, and the Launcher
will appear. This allows you to install the Maxim DL software. After the software is
installed, the drivers will install automatically once the Parsec is initially connected
to the computer. Do not connect the camera to your computer before you have
installed the software.

Software and
Driver Installation

To install Maxim DL :

1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. The Launcher will appear (Figure 6). (For

Windows 7 and Vista computers, the AutoPlay window will appear first.
Select Run Launcher.exe, then the Launcher will appear.)

2. Click Install MaxIm DL

3. The Install Shield Wizard will start. Click Next.

4. Read the Maxim DL License Agreement. If you agree with the terms, then

select I accept the terms in this license agreement and click Next.

5. Click Install. The installation will proceed.

6. The installation is now complete. Click the Finish button. Do not open MaxIm

DL yet.

Camera Driver
Installation

Now that the software is installed, the camera driver must also be installed. You
must connect power to the camera and connect the USB cable from your camera
to the computer before starting MaxIm DL, or the software and computer will not
recognize the camera.

Figure 6. The Launcher provides an

easy menu for software installation.

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Figure 7. Access the Camera Control Window from the View menu, or pressing Ctrl +

W, or selecting the icon.

To install the camera driver:

1. Insert the CD-ROM into the
computer. The Launcher will
appear (Figure 6). (For Windows 7
and Vista computers, the AutoPlay
window will appear first. Select

Run Launcher.exe, then the
Launcher will appear.)

2. In Launcher screen, select Install
FTDI. This installs the driver files

for the Parsec camera.

3. Connect the Orion Parsec to a USB port on the computer with the supplied
USB cable.

4. Plug the supplied power cable into a 12VDC power source and connect the
cable to the Parsec. LED status indicator and cooling fan will automatically
power on. Windows will automatically detect the camera and install it
onto your computer. Wait for the message to appear, Device Installed
Successfully.

Note: Your computer must have a high-speed USB 2.0 port available. If your
computer has multiple USB ports, you will need to install the driver again if the
Parsec is connected to a different USB port.

The Parsec uses FTDI drivers which are WHQL certified by Microsoft for both
32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems including Windows XP, Vista and
Windows 7. We recommend regularly checking www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/
D2XX.htm for updates.

Figure 8. User Registration Window.

3. Software Walk-Through

MaxIm DL 5 is a powerful imaging program which offers complete control for your
Parsec camera, autoguider, telescope, and imaging accessories such as a motor­ized filter wheel and focuser. In addition to controlling your camera and accesso­ries for image capture, MaxIm DL also provides all the necessary processing tools
to assemble your astro-image.

For the most detail regarding all of the
features in MaxIm DL, please con­sult the comprehensive help tutorial
in MaxIm’s Help Topics. The following
section of the manual will walk you
through the basic features mostly found
in the Camera Control Window.

The Parsec includes a free 60-day trial
of MaxIm DL 5 Pro. Start by opening
MaxIm DL, and you will be prompted
with the User Registration window
which requires your license informa­tion (Figure 8). Refer to the registration
label on the envalope of your software
CD and enter the information exactly
as it is shown on the label. Once your
information is entered correctly, the OK
button will become available, click OK
to proceed. You will only have to enter
your software license once.

Figure 9.1. The Setup tab in the

Camera Control Window.

3.1. The Camera Control
Window

The Camera Control Window con­trols your Parsec camera, as well as
your autoguider if you are using one.
The window has three tabs, Expose,
Guide, and Setup.

To access the Camera Control Window, Open MaxIm DL and go to View, then
select Camera Control Window, or you may click on the icon found in MaxIm
(Figure 7) or press Control + W.

The Setup Tab and Connecting the Parsec (Figure 9.1)
We recommend selecting More on the bottom right of the Setup (Figure 9.2) tab

which will reveal more information such as the cooler status, exposure progress,
and more.

Camera 1 should be used for your Parsec. Camera 2 should be used for your
autoguider if you are using one.

To connect your Parsec camera to MaxIm DL.

1. Plug the Parsec into your computer’s USB port.

2. Plug the power cable into the Parsec, with your 12VDC power source already

connected. The cooling fan and LED status indicators will automatically
power on.

Figure 9.2. The More/Less button

reveals more detailed information about
the camera status, such as the cooler
temperature, exposure progress, and more.

10 11

Figure 11. The Expose tab using the Exposure Preset default settings in Find Star.

Figure 10. Select Orion Parsec in the pull down menu.

3. In the Setup tab in MaxIm DL’s Camera Control Window, select Setup
Camera. Locate the Orion Parsec in the dropdown list and click OK

(Figure 10).

4. Click Connect and your Parsec will connect to MaxIm DL.

The Expose Tab and Taking your First Parsec Image

We recommend becoming familiar with the Parsec during the day. Connect the
camera to your telescope and focus on an object ¼ of a mile away. If you do not
have enough outward focus travel to focus this closely, you may need an extension
tube (available from Orion).

In the Expose tab:

1. Select Find Star in Exposure Preset (Figure 11). Use the default settings
and notice that X Binning/Y Binning is set to 2/Same. This cuts the
resolution to 1/4 and speeds up the download time while making initial
focusing easier to obtain.

2. Reduce the exposure Seconds to 0.1.

3. Click Expose and you will hear the shutter. Wait a few seconds for the

telescope’s focus and adjust the
exposure time as needed to get a
focused image.

4. Look at the Pixel value in the
Information window while the
mouse cursor is over the image.
The Pixel and Average value
should be well below 50000
or your image is overexposed
(Figure 12). If you cannot get the
Pixel value low enough during
the day, you will need to reduce
the aperture of your telescope by
creating an aperture mask.

5. You may change the Binning X/

Figure 12. The Information window

displays detailed information about the
image, including the Pixel count which can
indicate if the image is overexposed.

Binning Y to 1x1. For the Parsec
8300C, set the Frame Type to Color.

Note: Any time a setting is changed in the Exposure Preset, a * will appear next
to the preset name indicating the settings are different than the default. Click the

image to appear. It may be over exposed or grossly out of focus. Adjust the

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