Starlight Xpress SXVF-H9 CCD Camera (mono) Ref: SXVF-H9

The Starlight Xpress H9 CCD camera is friendly and about as easy to use as possible. This is the philosophy behind the design of the SXV-H9 and results in a camera which needs virtually no maintenance and the minimum of effort to take top-notch astro photos. One key feature of the design is the ultra-low dark current, which means that dark frames are now totally redundant. It also means that the camera has no need of heavy cooling fins, or water cooling pipes and mess. As an example of this extremely low noise, a comparison of dark frames from an SXV-H9 and another popular camera which uses the Kodak KAI 2000 chip showed the advantage. Please note that the KAI 2000 was 15 degrees cooler than the SXV CCD!

Large, high resolution 'Exview' CCD chip, with 1,447,680 x 6.45uM pixels in a 9 x 6.7mm array

Exceptionally high QE over an extremely wide spectral range from near UV to deep IR

Exceptionally low dark signal - No dark frames necessary for most deep sky objects

Exceptionally effective anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area

Built-in very high speed USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible) for sub-1 second downloads

Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera

Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.

Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!

Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions

Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC

Compact and lightweight - only 63mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 400 grams load on the 'scope!

Specifications CCD type: Sony ICX285AL Exview HAD CCD with ultra low dark current, extended IR response and vertical anti-blooming.

CCD quality: Grade 1 or better - No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 6 'hot' pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).

CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 6.45uM x 6.45uM, Image format: 1392 x 1040 pixels

CCD Image area: 8.98mm (Horizontal) x 6.7mm (Vertical).

Spectral Response: QE max at 540nM (~65%), 50% roll-off at 400nM and 750nM.

Readout Noise: Less than 12 electrons RMS - typically ONLY 7 electrons!

Full-well capacity: Greater than 27,000 e- (unbinned)

Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.

Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 100 hours. Less than 0.02 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.

Data format: 16 bits.

System gain: 0.45 electrons per ADU

Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. Also works with USB 1.1.

Image download time: Typically 0.6 seconds full resolution using USB 2.0, approximately 2 seconds with USB 1.1.

Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 750mA max.

Cooling system: Regulated constant current cooling supply with single stage thermoelectric cooler to give a CCD temperature of approximately -30C below ambient.

Size: 63 x 95mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm 'T2' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear.

Weight: approx. 350g.