Recommend CCD camera

[Sheridan]

When I’m hosting groups at the Open University’s observatory it would be good to show on screen what is visible through the scope.
What is the latest budget colour CCD that would do this?

Sheridan Williams

[Dr Paul Leyland]

I have been very happy with the Starlight Xpress CCD cameras I have used. Whether they meet your requirements may perhaps be answered by perusing https://www.sxccd.com/ and links therein.

Paul

[Nick James]

Sheridan – It depends on exactly what you want to do and what focal length of optics you’ve got. A lot of current CMOS cameras have small pixels so that might not be ideal if you have a very long FL although you can always bin them. Most are now based on Sony Starvis sensors which are very good. I use ZWO cameras so I would suggest having a look at what they have available. The 585MC would be a good place to start. It can be used for deep sky and planetary, has pretty high frame rates but is also able to take the longer exposures you would need to show deep sky objects in real time. The ZWO software suite includes software that can real-time stack images too.

[Sheridan]

Thanks Paul and Nick. It must be usable on a range of equipment that we demonstrate at the Open University, from a 14″ Celestron f10 to a 66mm William Optics refractor, and Lunt solar scope.
I’ve also been recommended the Altair 585C and Altair 678C, both of which I think use the same sensor.
The Starlight cameras are all a bit expensive I’m afraid.
Probably go with Nick’s suggestion.

Sheridan Williams

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