C2020Z Olympus Digital Camera for Deep Sky Imaging

PART 2 of 7

(Click here for Part 1 or Part 3or Part 4or Part 5or Part 6or Part 7or Part 8)

(All images here taken 10/20/00)

The following is an update to the discussion and images in PART 1 concerning use of the Olympus C2020Z digital camera for deep sky imaging. On October 20th I did more imaging with the C2020Z camera on my 20" Starmaster with GOTO Skytracker. This time I was able to reach focus without the use of a 2X Barlow. This was made possible by a modification to the camera adapter unit as described in Part 1. The modification is the replacement of all thumbscrews with set screws to allow the camera adapter unit to be inserted inside the Starmaster's 2" focuser in order to get the needed in-travel to reach focus. I also did daytime testing of a f/5 telecompressor (Celestron part # 93643) that covieniently screws on the end of the camera adapter. Here is the modified adapter with the telecompressor attached:

The outer hand-grip edge of the telecompressor (right side in pic) was filed slightly to allow it to fit inside the 2" focuser. I have not yet tested the telecompressor for deep sky images. Images taken under last quarter moonlight without the telecompressor on 10/20/00 follow :

Click on thumbnails for larger images:

M42 - Ten 16 sec. exposuresM42 - Ten 16 sec. exposures

M42 - One 16 sec. exposure M42 - One 16 sec. exposure

M82 - Four 16 sec. exposuresM81 - Two 16 sec. exposures

M57 - Four 16 sec. exposuresM27 - Nine 16 sec. exposures

<Jupiter with 2 moons and 1 moon shadow (10/21/00)<Jupiter with moon shadow (10/21/00)

<Jupiter with 2 moons and 1 moon shadow (10/21/00)

Deep sky notes: During this imaging session I noticed that if I turned the C2020Z digital camera's LCD display off, the dark frame noise was greatly reduced. I will need to make sure that it is turned off for future deep sky images. I am expecting improved images under a moonless sky with use of the f/5 telecompressor and increasing the number of images to stack.

TO PART 1 - DEEP SKY IMAGING WITH 2X BARLOW

TO PART 3 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - LOW NOISE

TO PART 4 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - LONG EXPOSURES

TO PART 5 - DEEP SKY IMAGING - 32 SECOND EXPOSURES - C2000Z

TO PART 6 - DISASSEMBLY OF C2000Z

TO PART 7 - AIR COOLED C2000Z

TO PART 8 - AIR COOLED C2000Z LATEST IMAGES

For images taken with the C2020Z and a Collins I3 Image Intensifier Eyepiece Click Here

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