Orion STARSHOOT 52173 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Orion® StarShoot™

USB Eyepiece

#52173

Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975

OrionTelescopes.com

Customer Support [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Corporate Offices [phone]

89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076

© 2010 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

IN 402 Rev. A 11/10

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Welcome to a new world of adventure. Your new StarShoot
Solar System USB Eyepiece (SSUE) is capable of capturing
detailed, full-color images of astronomical objects in our
solar system. The planets, Moon, and Sun (with optional
solar filter) can all be imaged to create spectacular views
on your computer which can be saved for emailing or print­ing later. The SSUE can even be used during the day to
take images of terrestrial subjects. You’ll find that this inex­pensive, yet capable and easy to use camera will enhance
all of your journeys with your telescope.

Please read this instruction manual before attempting to
use the camera or install the needed software.

Figure 1.

To use the SSUE, a telescope, mount and computer are required.

Parts List

StarShoot USB Eyepiece (SSUE)•

CD-ROM •

System Requirements (refer to Figure 1)

Telescope

The SSUE can be used with virtually any telescope that is compatible with

1.25" format eyepieces. The camera simply is inserted into a focuser in the
same way as a standard eyepiece (Figure 1). If you use a star diagonal, you
should remove it before installing the SSUE. If your telescope does not have
enough inward focus travel, you will need to use an optional 1.25" Barlow lens
to extend the telescope’s focal plane to the camera’s imaging plane (Barlow
sold separately).

For most types of astro-imaging with the SSUE, using a telescope with a
focal length of at least 1000mm is recommended. Otherwise, the image scale
may be too small. To increase the effective focal length of your system, use a
Barlow lens or other type of tele-extender lens.

Mount

While using an equatorial (EQ) mount is recommended to achieve the best
results, one is not absolutely required for general imaging with the SSUE.
Since the maximum exposure time is only a fraction of a second, astronomical
objects will not drift significantly through a telescope attached to an altazimuth

mount or Dobsonian base during single image captures. Use a sturdy mount
that is appropriately sized for the telescope tube being used.

For obtaining the best planetary images, however, we do recommend an equa­torial mount. Planetary imaging requires combining many individual images,
and having an equatorial mount will prevent the planet from drifting out of the
field of view of the camera during the time it takes to acquire the large number
of images necessary. A motor drive (single-axis) is recommended too, so you
can track the target object as you transmit live images to your laptop or PC.

Computer

A computer is required for normal use of the SSUE. For astro-imaging in the
field at night, a laptop computer is highly recommended. The camera driver
and Orion Capture software requires Windows XP, Vista or 7.

The following hardware is required:

Processor – Pentium III•

Recommended minimum memory size is 256 MB. •

Disk Space – 100 MB minimum, 500 MB or more recommended for •
saving images.

Video Display – 800 X 600, 16-bit color or higher. 1024x768 or higher is •
recommended.

Mouse (external or built-in) •

Internet connection required to display on-line help and downloading •
image processing software

USB 1.0 or High Speed USB 2.0 port •

™

or equivalent, or higher

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Software and Driver
Installation

Before the camera can be used, image
capture software and a camera driver
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 (Figure 2). This
allows you to install the Orion StarShoot
Solar System Imager camera driver and
the Orion image capture software (Orion
AmCap).

Camera Driver Installation

Do not connect the SSUE to your computer yet.

Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. The 1. Launcher will appear. If you are
using Windows Vista, the AutoPlay window will appear first. Select
Run autorun.exe.

Click 2. Install Camera Driver.

The 3. PC Camera Software Installation will start..

You are now ready to install. Click 4. Install. The installation will proceed.

When installation is complete click the 5. Finish button.

Once the driver is installed, the computer will recognize the SSUE whenever
it is plugged in.

Capture Software Installation

Now that the camera driver software is installed, the capture software must
also be installed.

Return to the 1. Launcher and click Install Capture Software.

The 2. Orion AmCap Setup Wizard appears. Click Next.

Select a destination folder and Click 3. Next.

Click 4. Next again to start the installation.

When the wizard is complete, click 5. close. This has installed the capture
software.

Plug in the camera into your computer’s USB port. 6.

A 7. Found New Hardware notification will appear in your Windows task
bar (Figure 3).

Figure 2.

easy menu for software installation.

The launcher provides an

Wait a few moments and the cam-8.
era will automatically install on your
computer. When Device Installed
Successfully notification appears
you will be ready to use the cam­era.

Open Orion AmCap from the icon 9.
on your desktop. The Live Video
Window should appear (Figure 4).
The software will recognize many
cameras so check that PC Camera
is selected from the device menu.

Figure 3. When initially connecting

the SSUE to a computer, a Found New
Hardware notification will appear and
automatically install the camera to
your computer.

Image Processing
Software

Website links are provided in the launch­er to download popular free Image pro-

cessing software to be used with your
AVI files to enhance your astro Images.

Image Processing Software such as
RegiStax or AviStack; can Align and
Stack(combine) hundreds of individual images into a single resultant image
and perform some additional image processing to bring out subtle details or
to make the image appear more pleasing overall.

Both software applications are a recommended addition to any astro-imagers
arsenal of image processing software.

Image Processing Software Installation

Return the launcher and select RegiStax or AviStack to be directed to a web­site to download the latest software.

For detailed information on the image processing software consult the web­sites of each software Provider. Tutorials and user groups can be found online
also.

Figure 4. The live video window.

Getting Started During Daylight

We recommend using the SSUE for the first time during the day. This way, you
can become familiar with the camera and its functions without having to stum­ble around in the dark. Set up your telescope and mount so the optical tube is