telescopes plus

Video of the Stars

The potential for backyard video imaging of the Sun, Moon, and planets increases dramatically with a camera
designed especially for astronomical use.

By David M. Moore

he number of ways amateur

astronomers record their observations has increased remarkably during the past half
century. Before World War II most amateurs made only visual observations, using
notes and sketches for their permanent
records. After the war astrophotography
became increasingly popular and today
has evolved into a melding of science and
art. The 1990s saw CCD imaging transformed from a cutting-edge novelty to a
mainstream activity in the amateur community. Now the video age is upon us.
I can recall the early video work by
Alan Macfarlane of Seattle, Washington,
in the mid-1980s. The huge boxlike camera he used had rather low sensitivity by
modern standards, but it was the latest
technology and barely affordable to most
amateurs. Current video equipment, however, combines miniaturization, low-light
sensitivity, and high resolution with very
affordable prices.
What really got me thinking about
video astronomy was Shigemi Numazawas article in the February 1992 issue of
this magazine (page 209). This skilled
Japanese amateur captured astonishingly
detailed views of the planets with a small
surveillance camera. By the time Thomas
Dobbinss article on video imaging appeared in the June 1996 issue (page 94), I
was ready to jump on the bandwagon. In
Astrovid 2000
Black-and-white CCD video camera with manual
shutter, gain, and contrast controls
Price: $595
Adirondack Video Astronomy
35 Stephanie Lane
Queensbury, NY 12804
Phone: 518-761-0390
www.astrovid.com

Astrovid 2000 is a complete system requiring only the addition of a suitable monitor to begin
viewing video images of the Sun, Moon, and planets. The camera is sensitive enough to record
11th-magnitude stars with a 10-inch telescope.

January 1997 I purchased an Astrovid displaying standard composite video sig2000 CCD video camera from Adiron- nals. In other words, Astrovid 2000s outdack Video Astronomy (AVA). From the put goes directly into the video in plug
first night I turned my 10of televisions, VCRs, and dedS&T TEST REPORT
inch f/6.3 Newtonian to Mars,
icated video monitors. The
I knew I had made the right decision. I camera is available in either North
could see more detail on the monitor American EIA or European PAL format.
than I had ever seen in any observing
The camera head connects to its consession looking through the eyepiece.
trol box with a single 6-foot cable. AVA
Astrovid 2000 is shipped in a card- offers extension cables in 12-, 24-, and
board box with a foam liner that doubles 50-foot lengths, with the longest one ofas a storage container. It is supplied as a fering the maximum separation possible.
complete system with all cables, power I highly recommend getting an extra 12supply, and your choice of either a 114- foot cable, especially if you use a Newinch adapter or a T to C adapter, which tonian telescope, since its focuser swings
mates the camera (which has a conven- through large arcs as the telescope is
tional C thread) to standard astropho- pointed around the sky.
tography adapters having T threads. All
The camera measures 2 inches square
the user needs is a monitor capable of by 312 inches long and weighs about 10 12

P r o d u c t p h o t o g r a p h y b y C r a1999
i g MSky
i cPublishing
h a e l Corp.
U t tAll
e rrights reserved.

Sky & Telescope August 1999

61

Although called a 12 - inch detector in the

world of video jargon, Astrovid 2000s CCD
measures approximately 8 by 612 millimeters.

frared-blocking) filter threaded into its

end. Because this dust cap is far from
the CCD, any specks on it do not appear
in the image.
There are standard 14-20 tripod sockets
on the top and bottom of the camera. A
red light-emitting diode on the front
alerts the observer that the power is on.

ounces. It uses a Sony ICX038DLA CCD

chip, which produces an acceptable signal under remarkably low-light conditions (as low as 0.01 lux). It easily
records the 11th-magnitude fifth star in
the Orion Trapezium when attached to
my 10-inch reflector. The camera is rated
at 600 lines of horizontal resolution. Because this is more than can be displayed
by a conventional television, youll get a
slightly better image using a high-resolution monitor.
There is a glass window just in front of
the CCD that needs to be kept scrupulously clean, since even tiny dust flecks
virtually invisible to the eye appear as
large spots on the monitor. I discovered
that much of the material finding its way
onto the window came from unscrewing
the 114-inch adapter and replacing it with
the cameras plastic dust cap after each
observing session. I fixed this by leaving
the adapter in place with a clear (or in-

The Control Box

The 512-by-3-by-112-inch control box allows setting the shutter speed, gain,
and contrast without touching the camera and possibly wiggling the telescope.
The electronic shutter is adjusted with a
small rotary dial with click stops labeled
0 to 9. These correspond to speeds of 160,
1
125, 1250, 1500, 11000, 12000, 14000, and 110,000 second
and two off positions. While the information supplied with the camera tells
which speed corresponds to which number on the dial, I would prefer the speeds
to be printed on the control box.
The gain (sensitivity) is manually controlled by a continuously variable rheostat, which changes the image brightness.
It offers a big advantage over cameras that
have so-called automatic gain. With such
a camera, if one shutter speed produces
an image that is too bright and the next
speed is too dim, the observer is forced to
change the telescopes f/ratio, stop the
aperture down, or introduce filters to
control the brightness. With Astrovid

2000, however, you merely tweak the gain

to produce the desired image brightness.
The cameras contrast (gamma) is set
with two toggle switches labeled SW1
and SW2. Combinations of having these
on or off produce an image with normal
contrast (a value of 1), or lower values of
0.45 and 0.25. When you are observing
faint objects like the planets, the 0.45 and
0.25 settings introduce some image noise,
but they are quite handy for the wide
range of brightnesses encountered when
viewing the Moon. As with the shutterspeed switch, it would be nice if the contrast settings were labeled on the control
box. It may seem that labels are trivial,
especially since I end up fiddling with
the controls to achieve the best image,
but they would help when I am initially
setting the camera before dark.
In addition to the cable running to the
camera, the control box has two other
connections. The video output is via a
twist-type BNC connector, and there is a
plug for the 12-volt DC power input.

With the CCD set back only 12 millimeters

from the face of the camera, the Astrovid
2000 will easily reach focus on most telescopes without modification.

Why Video Astronomy

With long-exposure astronomical CCD cameras being the hot
commodity these days, why should anyone consider video? For
starters, video is a great tool for showing groups the view through
your telescope. Many times a friend or neighbor has asked to peek
through my scope only to say,Oh, thats nice, and step away disappointed. Perhaps the image was out of focus, or maybe the person didnt get his or her eye positioned correctly over the eyepiece, or maybe the scope got bumped and the object of interest
wasnt even in the field. These are moot issues with video. Furthermore, its easy to point out specific features of interest when
everyone is looking at the same image on a monitor.
Real-time events such as lunar and solar eclipses, star occultations, and central-meridian transits of planetary features are just

62

August 1999 Sky & Telescope

some of the many possibilities for video in astronomy. Video recordings are a way to relive exciting events in the comfort of ones
own home. For more advanced observers, individual video frames
obtained during moments of excellent astronomical seeing can be
combined to make extremely high-resolution views, as Ron Dantowitz explained in this magazines August 1998 issue, page 48.
My experience is that Astrovid 2000 can deliver views of the
planets that are as good as or better than what the eye can see
looking into the same telescope! I certainly agree with those
who find the aesthetics of a direct view through the eyepiece
second to none. But I believe that it is possible to accumulate
more and better data sitting leisurely in front of a monitor examining planetary images with the comfort of both eyes.

1999 Sky Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.

At the Telescope
AVA states that Astrovid 2000 is ready
out of the box for imaging. Assuming
you have an appropriate monitor and
have read the instructions thoroughly,
this is certainly true. Nevertheless, its a
good idea to allow one evening for getting all the bugs worked out of your particular setup. There are a variety of video
connectors used on televisions and VCRs,
and you may have to pick up an appropriate adapter or two at Radio Shack.
My first target was Mars, but I certainly
dont recommend starting out with such a
challenging object. A much better choice
is the Moon, since it is ideal for learning
how the camera works. I also suggest
starting with the camera at the telescopes
first focus save the higher-magnification viewing done with a Barlow lens or
eyepiece projection for later. Short focal
lengths give the wide fields of view and
are best for getting acquainted with the
cameras settings and capabilities.
Once you gain experience, try adding
a 2 or 3 Barlow to the setup and zoom
in on the Moons terminator. Here is
where youll really appreciate the cameras gain and contrast controls since you
can use them to dive into the deep shadows of a crater or examine the bright
sunlit surroundings. Such high magnifications provide very small fields. For example, my 1414-inch Cassegrain reflector
working at f/35 produces a field on the
monitor only about 1.2 arcminutes wide!
The slightest breeze, bump, or shake can
send the image into wild gyrations.
Locating, centering, focusing, and
tracking objects at these magnifications

telescopes plus

Good-quality coax cable will carry the

video signal 75 feet (or more if a signal
booster is added to the line) to your
monitor or VCR. I added a conventional
video A/B switch (available at Radio
Shack and similar stores) to route the signal to either a monitor in my observatory
or a television in my house. Its pretty
thrilling to do stargazing from the comfort of my living room with the image
displayed on a 32-inch Toshiba television.
My whole family watched several occultations of Aldebaran in this manner.
Astrovid 2000 has no on/off switch
you just plug the 12-volt transformer
into the wall after all the cable connections have been made. AVA also recommends that the transformer be unplugged before disconnecting any cables
from the camera or control box.

Video frames of Mars shot through (left to right) red, blue, and green filters were combined to
create a tricolor image last April 16th. Jupiter was recorded the same way on September 12,
1998, while Saturn is a monochrome view from November 15th. Mars and Saturn were imaged
with the authors 14 14 -inch reflector at about f/30, and Jupiter was with a 10-inch at f/35.

is very difficult without the proper tools.

A carefully aligned guidescope working
at 30 to 40 will alleviate many frustrating moments of fruitless sweeping for
an object. Focusing the camera while
touching the telescope is difficult at best,
and I highly recommend an electric focuser, especially one with minimal image
shift as it is racked in and out (a Crayford type, for example). Electric slowmotion controls are another desirable
feature.
Imaging Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn is far more challenging than the
Moon, but the results are very rewarding.
For these targets I minimize noise in the
image by leaving the shutter speed set at
1
60 second and the contrast set at 1. The
gain is adjusted to produce the desired
image brightness. If the images are too
faint, I reduce the magnification to produce a faster effective f/ratio. My experience suggests focal ratios between f/27
and f/40 are best for recording planets
with Astrovid 2000. More magnification
(and the resulting longer f/ratio) offers
no further gain in image quality.
Serious, systematic study of the planets is possible with Astrovid 2000 and
color filters. I use a Lumicon filter selector to switch quickly from one to another. Jupiter reveals many belts when im-

The crater Petavius and its smaller companion, Wrottesley, were captured in this video
frame made with the 14 14 -inch scope at f/35.

1999 Sky Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.

aged through a Wratten 25 (red) filter.

The planets Red Spot Hollow shows as a
dark feature through a Wratten 38a
(blue). Positions of planetary features are
often determined by recording the times
that they appear to cross the planets central meridian. Monofilament fishing line
taped to the monitor serves as a good
reference for making transit timings.
Martian orographic clouds above
Olympus Mons and Tharsis (the W
clouds) are easy targets when using a
Wratten 38a filter. By experimenting
with the cameras controls as well as the
monitors brightness and contrast adjustments, I often see low-contrast albedo
features on Mars that elude me when
looking through the eyepiece. I find that
excellent drawings of Mars can be made
while viewing the monitor.
On nights of good seeing, belts are
visible in Saturns dark temperate and
polar regions. Brightness variation in the
A ring is routinely recorded on such
nights when using a Wratten 15 (deep
yellow) or 80a (blue) filter.
Astrovid 2000 also works well for
viewing the Sun through a telescope
equipped with a solar filter approved for
visual use (see page 63 of last months
issue for a review of Sun filters). One
major problem with solar observing is
the overpowering effect daylight has on
the monitor. My solution was to make a
shade from black cloth and wooden
dowels. Astrovid 2000 is great for monitoring the changing appearance of
sunspots. Faculae and granulation are
Sky & Telescope August 1999

63

telescopes plus

Astrovid 2000s Specs at a Glance

CCD: Sony ICX038DLA 12-inch interline-transfer chip
Pixel size: 8.4 by 9.8 microns
Active image area: 7.95 by 6.45 millimeters
Resolution: 600 horizontal television lines
Electronic shutter: Eight speeds 160 to 110,000 second
Minimum illumination: rated 0.02 lux (0.01 lux acceptable)
Video output: Composite signal 1.0 volt peak-to-peak at 75 ohms
Power requirement: 12 volts DC 10%, 2.4 watts
Lens mount: Standard C thread
Dimensions: 42 by 48 by 95 millimeters (1.6 by 1.9 by 3.7 inches)
Weight: 300 grams (10.6 ounces)
Operating temperature: 20 to +55 Celsius
Delivering 600 lines of horizontal resolution, Astrovid 2000 images look best on high-resolution monitors, which are available
for less than $150. Standard VHS recorders are typically rated
at about 250 lines of resolution; a better choice is S-VHS or Hi-8
recorders, which are rated at about 400 lines. JVC has a line of
S-VHS models with prices starting at less than $400.

also easily seen. Because of the cameras

extended-red sensitivity, it is ideal for use
with hydrogen-alpha filters.
Video is a great way to watch occultations of stars by the Moon and asteroids.
Capturing the event with a VCR that
records time signals broadcast by WWV
or another suitable source on the audio
channel allows timing the occultation to

a fraction of a second.
Is Astrovid 2000 right for you? At $595
it is a serious purchase for most amateurs. If your interests in video astronomy are only casual and go no further
than the Sun and Moon, then a simple
surveillance camera, or even a home
camcorder, may be a low-cost solution.
If, however, you are interested in serious-

ly pursuing planets or events like occultations, then the durable and troublefree Astrovid 2000 should be at the top
of your list.
David Moore is an active amateur living in
Phoenix, Arizona. Sky & Telescope asked him
to write this review because of his extensive
experience with the Astrovid 2000 camera.

A First Look: SBIGs Enhanced ST-7E CCD Camera

o paraphrase General Douglas

MacArthur, old astronomical
equipment never dies; it just fades
away. Once-favorite telescopes, eyepieces,
cameras, and star
By Dennis di Cicco atlases now gather
dust, replaced by newer ones sporting advanced features. Nowhere,
however, is this natural
evolution of astronomical
gear more apparent than
in the high-tech world of
electronics. Indeed, since
1989 Ive upgraded desktop computers for my
backyard observatory six
times. Two remain in
nightly use, while the
cyber hand-me-downs do
stints with my wife and daughter on their
way to the basement shelves.
Nevertheless, one item of noteworthy
longevity stands well apart from the elec64

August 1999 Sky & Telescope

S&T TEST REPORT

The enhanced-cooling upgrade for the ST-7 and ST-8 cameras requires modification to the camera (center) as well as an additional wall transformer (left) for the thermoelectric coolers (TEC)
second stage and a small water pump (right). When maximum cooling is not needed, the camera will operate normally without powering the TECs second stage or supplying water flow.

1999 Sky Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.