Orion STAR SHOOT 52175 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Orion® StarShoot™

Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV

#52175

Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975

OrionTelescopes.com

Customer Support [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

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89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076

© 2008-2010 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars

IN 404 Rev. A 11/10

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Welcome to a new world
of adventure. Your new
StarShoot Solar System
Color Imaging Camera IV
(SSSSI-IV) is capable of
capturing detailed, full­color images of astro­nomical objects in our solar
system. The planets, Moon,
and Sun (with optional solar
filter) can all be imaged to

Figure 1.

telescope, mount and computer are
required.

To use the SSSSI-IV, a

create spectacular views on
your computer which can be saved for emailing or print­ing later. The SSSSI-IV 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.

Parts List

StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (SSSSI-IV)•

USB Cable •

CD-ROM •

System Requirements (refer to Figure 1)

Telescope

The SSSSI-IV 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 SSSSI-IV. 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 SSSSI-IV, 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 imaging with the SSSSI-IV, as 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 for
convenient capture of sequential images without manual re-adjustment of the
telescope’s position.

Computer

A computer is required for normal use of the SSSSI-IV. 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

High Speed USB 2.0 port •

™

or equivalent, or higher

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

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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 SSSSI-IV to
your computer yet.

Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. 1.
The 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. D-PEN Software Installation
will start.

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

When installation is complete click 5.
the Finish button.

Once the driver is installed, the comput­er will recognize the SSSSI-IV 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). The found new hardware wizard will launch. Select next. Select
install the software automatically. Select next. Select Continue Anyway
and the hardware wizard will begin Installation.

Figure 2. The launcher provides an

easy menu for software installation.

Figure 3.

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

When initially connecting

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 D-PEN is
selected from the device menu.

Figure 4. The live video window.

Image Processing Software

Website links are provided in the launcher to download popular free Image
processing 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.

Image Processing Software Installation

Return to 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.

Getting Started During Daylight

We recommend using the SSSSI-IV 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 pointing at an object at least a couple of hundred feet away. Insert an
eyepiece and focus as you normally would.

To obtain first images with the SSSSI-IV, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Plug the camera into your computer’s USB port. Notice the red LED shin-1.
ing through the blue window on the back of the camera; this LED light indi­cates the camera is connected and receiving power from the computer.