EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 8.3MP II 4K Astro Camera and Guider Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC
Table of Contents
- EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 8.3MP II 4K Astro Camera and Guider
- Product Information:
- Product Usage Instructions
- Validity note
- About this Instruction Manual
- Intended use
- General safety instructions
- Parts overview and scope of delivery
- Installing the software and drivers
- Camera mounting on telescope
- Camera mounting as an autoguider
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Disposal
- EC declaration of conformity
- Technical data
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 8.3MP II 4K Astro Camera and Guider
Product Information:
This product is a 4K Astro Camera & Guider with an 8.3MP resolution. It is designed for astrophotography and guiding purposes. The camera comes with various accessories and software for installation and operation.
Product Usage Instructions
- Read the safety instructions and the instruction manual carefully before using this device.
- Keep the instruction manual in a safe place for future reference.
- If the device is sold or passed on, the instruction manual must be passed on to any subsequent owner/user of the product.
- Ensure that the product is used only for its intended purpose as described in the manual.
- Observe the general safety instructions provided in the manual.
- Install the software and drivers by following these steps:
-
* Download the software package from the product page.- Start the installation process.
- The software files can be found under the ‘Software’ section on the product page.
- The link/QR code to the product page can be found on the secondpage of the operating instructions.
Visit our website via the following QR Code or web link to find further information on this product or the available translations of these instructions.
Imprint
- Bressler GmbH
- Gutenbergstr. 2
- 46414 Rheed
- Germany
- www.explorescientific.de
For any warranty claims or service inquiries, please refer to the information
on “Warranty” and “Ser-vice” in this documentation. We ask for your
understanding that unsolicited returns cannot be pro-cessed.
Errors and technical changes excepted.
© 2023 Bressler GmbH All rights reserved.
The reproduction of this documentation – even in extracts – in any form (e.g.
photocopy, print, etc.) as well as the use and distribution by means of
electronic systems (e.g. image file, website, etc.) without the prior written
permission of the manufacturer is prohibited.
The designations and brand names of the respective companies used in this
documentation are gen-erally protected by trade, trademark and/or patent law
in Germany, the European Union and/or other countries.
Validity note
This documentation is valid for the products with the following article
numbers: 0510535
Manual version: 1023
Manual designation:
Manual_0510535_4K-Camera-Guider-8MP-II_en-de_EXPSC_v102023a Always provide
information when requesting service.
About this Instruction Manual
NOTICE
These operating instructions are to be considered a component of the
device.
Read the safety instructions and the instruction manual carefully before using
this device.
Keep these instruction manual in a safe place for future reference. If the
device is sold or passed on, the instruction manual must be passed on to any
subsequent owner/user of the product.
Intended use
- This device is not intended for use by persons (including children) with impaired physical, sensory or mental abilities, or for lack of experience and/or knowledge, unless they are supervised by or have received instructions from a person responsible for their safety on how to use this
- device.
- This device is for personal use only.
- The device was developed as an electronic accessory and may only be used to connect and operate the devices for private use described in this manual.
General safety instructions
DANGER
Danger of suffocation!
Improper use of this product may result in suffocation, especially for
children. It is therefore imperative that you observe the following safety
information.
- Keep packaging materials (plastic bags, rubber bands, etc.) away from children! There is a danger of choking!
- Keep cables, tapes and similar materials away from children! They could accidentally strangle and suffocate themselves with them!
NOTICE
Danger of material damage!
Improper handling may result in damage to the unit and/or accessories.
Therefore, use the device only in accordance with the following safety
information.
- Do not disassemble the device! In the event of a defect, please contact your dealer. They will con-tact the Service Center and can arrange the return of this device for repair if necessary.
- Check this device, cables and connections for damage before use.
- Never attempt to operate a damaged device, or a device with damaged electrical parts! Damaged parts must be replaced immediately by an authorized service agent.
- For the normal operation as intended, only use the supplied cables and connect them as de-scribed in the manual.
NOTICE
Danger of data loss!
Do not interrupt an on-going data connection to a computer before all data has
been transferred. This could lead to data loss for which the manufacturer is
not liable.
NOTICE
Privacy Protection
Respect the privacy of your fellow human beings – do not look into flats with
this device, for example!
Parts overview and scope of delivery
Illustration 1: All parts of the Astro camera
| 1 | Camera body | 2 | Mounting thread (T2/M42x0,75mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Camera connection: | 4 | Ventilation slits |
| 5 | Function indicator light | 6 | USB 3.0 port |
| 7 | ST4 port | 8 | Plug-in adaptor 1 ¼” |
| 9 | Connection thread | 10 | USB 3.0 connection cable |
| 11 | ST4 connection cable |
Scope of delivery
4K planetary astro camera & guider 8.3 MP II (A); plug-in adapter 1 ¼” (31.7
mm) (B) with filter thread; USB 3.0 connection cable 150 cm (C); connection
cable for ST-4 autoguider function 150 cm (D); dust cap for camera opening;
software (via download); operating instructions (via download).
Installing the software and drivers
-
Download the software package from the product page and start the installation. The files are stored under the ‘Software’ section. The link/QR code to the product page can be found on the second page of these operating instructions.
-
Install the ‘EXPLORE Capture’ software. This will also install the camera drivers automatically.
-
Remove the rubber cover of the CMOS sensor on the camera and connect it to your telescope. The connection can be made directly via T2 thread (M42x0.75mm) or via the plug-in adapter. Al-ways make sure that the camera is securely mounted.
-
Connect the camera to an available USB port on your computer using the supplied USB cable.
-
Start the EXPLORE Capture software after successful installation. Select the connected camera in the EXPLORE Capture software menu.
Illustration 2: EXPLORE Capture: Select camera -
The camera now continuously sends live images to the computer at the current exposure time.
-
Use the telescopes´ finder scope to focus on a bright star in the cameras` field of view. To obtain a faster image sequence and a higher camera sensitivity during focusing, switch to binning mode if necessary (see software menu “Digital Binning”).
-
After successful focusing, you can start recording images or video sequences.
Camera mounting on telescope
Illustration 3: Mounting the camera on to a telescope
| 1 | Camera housing | 2 | Holding thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Connection thread | 4 | T2 or plug-in adaptor |
| 5 | Eyepiece holder | 6 | Eyepiece extension |
Camera mounting as an autoguider
Illustration 4: Mounting of the Astro camera as an autoguider on the guide tube
| 1 | Guide tube | 2 | Socket adaptor 1 ¼” |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Camera body | 4 | USB 3.0 port |
| 5 | ST4 port | 6 | USB cable |
| 7 | USB port on PC/notebook | 8 | ST4 connecting cable |
| 9 | ST4 port on the mount* | 10 | Recording device (e.g. single lens reflex cam- |
era or another deep sky camera)1
*Not included in the scope of delivery.
Additional accessories may be required for mounting a recording device.
NOTICE! This is not a stand-alone camera. A computer running the operating system Windows® 10 or 11 is required for both, photography and autoguiding.
NOTICE! Autoguiding requires an appropriate software (see below).
Autoguiding Software
The following software packages, among others, can be used for autoguiding
with this camera:
PHD-Guiding, GuideDog, Metaguide, Guidemaster (free of charge) or AstroArt,
MaxIm DL (fee pay-able)
DOWNLOAD PHD-Guiding: https://openphdguiding.org
DOWNLOAD GuideDog: http://barkosoftware.com/GuideDog
Cleaning and maintenance
- Before cleaning the device, disconnect it from the power supply (remove plug or remove batteries)!
- Only clean the device externally using a dry cloth. Do not use cleaning solution to prevent damage to the electronic parts.
Disposal
Dispose of the packaging materials according to its type. Information on proper disposal can be obtained from the municipal waste disposal service provider or environmental agency.
Do not dispose of electronic devices in the household garbage!
According to the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment and its transposition into national law, used electrical
equipment must be collected separately and recycled in an environmentally
sound manner.
EC declaration of conformity
A “Declaration of conformity” in accordance with the applicable directives and correspond-ing standards has been prepared by Bresser GmbH. The full text of the EC declaration of conformity is available at the following Internet address: www.bresser.de/download/0510535/CE/0510535_CE.pdf
Warranty
The regular warranty period is 2 years and starts on the day of purchase. For full warranty terms and services, please visit www.bresser.de/warranty_terms.
Technical data
Art. No.:|
0510535
---|---
Camera type/model:| Astro Camera & Guider 8.3MP II / G3C- MOS08300KPA
Data output:| Images and videos
Image sensor:| SONY IMX585 Exmor CMOS color sensor, back- ground exposed
Image and video format output:| 3840 x 2160 (4K) and 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
pixels
---|---
Adjustable binning:| 1×1 and 2×2
Frame rate per second (FPS):| up to 43 or 66
Physical sensor size in pixels:| 3840 x 2160 (4K)
Megapixels:| 8.3 MP
Sensor size:| 11.14 x 6.26 mm
Pixel size:| 2.9 µm x 2.9 µm
Image diagonal:| 12.86 mm
Bit depth:| 8 / 12 bit switchable
Flange focal length:| 17.5 mm
Shutter type:| Global Shutter
Heat dissipation:| per additional built-in fan (switchable via soft- ware)
Adjustable exposure times:| 0.1 ms to 60 min
Operating temperature:| -10 to +50 °C (30-80 % rH)
Cable length USB 3.0:| approx. 150 cm
Cable length ST4:| approx. 150cm
Housing| CNC machined aluminium housing
Camera size:| Diam.: 68mm; Length: 85mm
Camera weight:| approx. 300 g
Camera port diameter:| 1.25” ( 31.7 mm)
Camera connection thread:| T2 thread (M42x0.75 mm)
Filter thread:| 1.25” (31.7 mm)
Camera connection to PC:| USB 3.0
Power supply:| via USB
Software:| EXPLORE Capture (incl.)
Driver:| for camera and ASCOM (incl.)
Operating system:| WINDOWS 10 and 11
PC requirements:| Processor with CPU Intel Core2 2.8 Ghz or higher / 2 GB RAM
/ free USB 3.0 port
Field of view for different focal lengths in arc minutes:
400 mm| 95,6′ x 53,8′
500 mm| 76,5′ x 43,0′
600 mm| 63,7′ x 35,8′
700 mm| 54,6′ x 30,7′
800 mm| 47,8′ x 26,9′
900 mm| 42,5′ x 23,9′
1000 mm| 38,2′ x 21,5′
1250 mm| 30,6′ x 17,2′
1500 mm| 25,5′ x 14,3′
1750 mm| 21,8′ x 12,3′
2000 mm| 19,1′ x 10,8′