11 megapixel CCD with 9 micron pixels, Adaptive Optics capable, with Self Guided Filter Wheel.
The SBIG STXL-11002M CCD Camera utilizes a Kodak KAI-11002M full-frame CCD sensor with 4008 x 2672 pixels at 9 microns. This camera package provides a highly reliable even-illumination shutter with a shorter backfocus to accommodate camera lenses. Unmatched flat field accuracy for high precision photometry and high end imaging. Superior two-stage cooling -60 °C below ambient with air only. Uses STX electronics with a full frame image buffer and the system is water cooling ready. For remote observatories, Ethernet and USB 2.0 are included.
Self-Guiding in Front of Filters
It is well known that the advantage of easier guiding through a separate guide scopes is often limited by differential deflection of the guide scope relative to the main optical axis due to mechanical flexure or shifting of the mirror in the main OTA. It was this difficulty that SBIG addressed with our self-guiding design, and that we and others have addressed with an Off-Axis Guiding solution. Self-guiding is more convenient and more accurate, but can prove more difficult when narrowband filters are used. Separate off-axis guiders can be clumsy and consume excess back focus distance. The ideal solution was therefore to design a self-guiding system that placed the guiding CCD in front of the filters using an integrated design that is easy to control. With the guider CCD integrated into the filter wheel, and focal reducing optics to increase the field of view, the optical design is optimized for guiding and everything is controlled through a single interface. The guider connects directly to the camera, and does not require additional power or control cables. The system can be operated by a single software package as one camera.
Micron-Precision Filter Wheel
In addition, STXL filter wheels are designed with a same precise positioning mechanism. With precise positioning, a filter is returned and held in precisely the same position every time it is rotated into the optical path, even after a loss of power and no matter how many times the filter wheel has moved. We measured this accuracy at better than 5 microns (less than one pixel).
USB 2.0 and Ethernet Interface
The STXL series has both USB 2.0 and Ethernet interface capability for the greatest versatility with a variety of computer systems. user's do not have to choose between the two. The Ethernet interface makes control of the camera over a network easy and less expensive than requiring a local computer to be controlled remotely. Moreover, the camera has a built-in web server. Also, with Ethernet, no camera drivers need to be installed. The STXL camera has a built-in web server that can be accessed from any browser.
Superior Cooling
The STXL uses an innovative pin fin heat sink. This design is the most efficient for dissipating heat per given volume, and while it is more expensive than typical parallel fin heat sinks commonly round elsewhere, it provides superior performance and minimizes size and weight at the same time. This is one of the reasons the STXL camera weighs less than competing cameras with similar cooling performance. The new heat sink is an optimized design for this camera using a large custom pin fin heat sink mated directly to the hot side of the 2 stage TE cooler to achieve maximum heat dissipation with a single large fan. In less than 5 minutes the STXL achieves a delta of -60C using air cooling only.
Water Circulation Ready
While the design is aimed at sufficient cooling without water assist, it is possible to use water instead of air or in addition to air for optimum cooling. Using water instead of air will not require the use of a fan.
Even-illumination Shutter
Since the early days of the original ST-7 camera, SBIG has been providing even-illumination shutters in our cameras - something not found in the majority of other astrophotography cameras. "Even-illumination" means that the shutter mechanism is designed to open and close in such a manner that it does not change the proportion of light falling on the sensor due to the shape or motion of the shutter itself. This is what one finds for instance with an iris type of shutter that opens-up starting at the center and closes over the center last.
User rechargeable desiccant
In order to allow the user the greatest flexibility in the field, and to avoid having to return the camera to the factory in order to purge the CCD chamber, the chamber is designed to accept a rechargeable desiccant plug.
Full Frame Image Buffer
The STXL series cameras have a full frame image buffer for storing image data during download. This prevents possible corruption of the image due to processing delays in the main computer during download.
Variable Speed Fan
If the user desires air cooling only, the fan speed is controllable through software. Variable speed control allows the user to "tune" to fan to eliminate any resonance with the user's telescope thus suppressing harmonic vibrations.
I2C AUX Port
The STXL cameras have a convenient I2C AUX port, which controls all accessories including filter wheels and AO-8T Adaptive Optics accessories.
Tracking Relay LED indicators
This handy set of 4 LEDs will tell you at a glance if the camera is issuing corrections to the mount in +X, -X, +Y or -Y directions during an imaging session.
12VDC Operation
The STXL will internally regulate a 12VDC supply so that the camera can be connected directly to any unregulated source such as a car battery. Four power LEDs indicate if the supply voltage drops to 11, 10 or 9 volts and when it is "good." Operation of the camera is possible with a supply voltage of 9.1 to 14 volts DC. Other LEDs indicate camera status and operation of the relays during guiding.
Guiding
STXL models can connect to either a Remote Guide Head or FW8G-STXL self-guided filter wheel. The Remote Guide Head is suitable for piggyback guide telescopes or off-axis guider devices. The FW8G-STXL filter wheel provides integrated self-guiding in front of the filters. Both connect directly to the Guide Head port on the STXL camera, which provides all power and control signals. This provides a convenient, integrated package and minimizes mount cabling.
Optional AO-X Adaptive Optics
All STX and STXL models can operate with the AO-X Adaptive Optics accessory. The AO-X uses a tip-tilt window to quickly and precisely adjust the image position in response to autoguider feedback. With Adaptive Optics there is no backlash, stiction, or lag, and the movements are precise and accurate. This allows the AO-X to not only remove the effects of periodic error, drift, and wind gusts, but also reduce the effects of atmospheric seeing.
Power supply:
A universal 100-240 VAC power supply is included.
Sample Images
Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin
STXL-11002
- A/D Converter
- 16 bits
- A/D Gain
- 0.87e-/ADU
- Adaptive Optics Option
- Yes
- Antiblooming
- Yes
- CCD Grade
- Class 2
- CCD Size
- 36 x 24.7 mm
- Computer Interface
- USB2 /Ethernet
- Cooling Delta
- 60 Degree C
- Dark Current e/p/s at 0 C
- 0.3 e-/p/s typical
- Exposure
- 0.001-3600 sec
- Filter Size
- 50mm Round
- Filter Wheel Option
- Yes
- Full Frame Download
- 6.3 sec
- Full Well Capacity
- 60,000 e-
- Imaging CCD
- KAI-11002
- Imaging / Pixel Array
- 4008 x 2672 px
- Backfocus Distance
- 0.98" (24.8 mm)
- Binning Modes
- 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 9 x 9, x n
- Internal Tracking CCD
- No
- OAG Option
- No
- OS Compatibility
- Windows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac
- Peak QE
- 50%
- Pixel Digitization Rate
- 1.8 MHz
- Pixel Size
- 9 micrometer
- Power
- 12 VDC
- Power Cable
- US
- Read Noise
- 11 e-
- Remote Guide Head
- Yes
- Self-Guiding Filter Wheel
- Yes
- Shutter
- Mechanical, Even-illumination
- Temperature Regulation
- Yes
- Dimensions
- Overall: 6 x 6 x 3.5" (152 x 152 x 88.9 mm)
Excluding Fan:6 x 6 x 3" (152 x 152 x 76 mm) - Total Pixels
- 11 million pixels
- Weight
- 5.2 lbs (2.39 kg)
FW8G-STXL
- A/D Converter
- 16 bits
- Adaptive Optics Option
- No
- Antiblooming
- Yes
- CCD Size
- 4.8 x 3.6 mm
- Computer Interface
- HDMI
- Dark Current e/p/s at 0 C
- 0.5 e-/p/s
- Exposure
- 0.001-3600 sec
- Filter Size
- 50mm Round
- Filter Wheel Option
- No
- Full Frame Download
- 0.13 sec
- Full Well Capacity
- 25,000 e-
- Imaging CCD
- KAI-0340
- Imaging / Pixel Array
- 648 x 486 px
- Internal Tracking CCD
- No
- OAG Option
- No
- OS Compatibility
- Windows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac
- Pixel Size
- 7.4 micrometer
- Power
- HDMI
- Read Noise
- 8.6 e-
- Remote Guide Head
- No
- Self-Guiding Filter Wheel
- No
- Shutter
- Electromechanical
- Temperature Regulation
- No
- Total Pixels
- 314,928 pixels
- Weight
- 2.2 oz (62.37 g)
Condition
This pre-owned item was used in an observatory only a few times by its original owner, before he was forced to retire from the hobby due to ill health. As a result, it is presented in perfect condition and the guide head has never been used (or even unpacked). There is also an unused tripod head designed to allow the user to mount the camera to a tripod when using smaller lenses. The filter wheel is populated with a full set of narrowband filters. Power supply and all interconnecting cables are included. It was never stored in the observatory, having been de-mounted from the telescope and stored carefully indoors with all caps on after each use. Photographs are of the actual items, taken in our studio.
This rare listing presents the opportunity to own the entire kit at less than half the original retail price.