Astronomy

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ASTRONOMY

QSI 600 Series cooled CCD cameras were designed with the specific needs of astronomers in mind.  In fact, the lead designer of QSI cameras is an active astrophotographer himself.  The exceptionally low noise of the  600 Series cameras yields a camera that delivers an extremely wide dynamic range with a linear response across light levels of more than 10,000:1.  Because the low read noise from QSI cameras displays a nearly perfect Gaussian distribution, astronomers can tease out details in the dimmest areas of their images that would otherwise be lost in the noise. Add to that, precisely regulated cooling to less than 0.1°C and you have an instrument that produces the best possible data from your precious dark time.

The imaging performance of the QSI 600 Series makes them very well-suited to professional applications in photometry, astrometry and spectrographic studies. These same traits required by professionals also allow serious amateur astrophotographers to produce world-class images in less time.

Professional Astronomy Applications

  • Photometry
  • Astrometry
  • Spectroscopy
  • High-speed guiding applications
  • Outreach

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QSI 600 Series Features

  • Full-frame and interline transfer sensors up to 8.3mp
  • Exceptionally low noise with Gaussian distribution and no structure
  • Wide dynamic range
  • High sensitivity from UV to NIR
  • Linear response
  • Symmetrical and asymetrical binning
  • Dual-stage TEC cooling precisely regulated to < 0.1°C
  • Compact case
  • Minimal backfocus
  • 16-bit output, USB 2.0
  • Available internal Color Filter Wheel
  • Available Integrated Guider Port
  • Broad software support

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QSI 600 Series adds the following features

  • Dual read rates up to 8MHz for high-speed applications
  • High-speed USB 2.0
  • ROI frame rates up to 20 fps
  • Increased cooling to >45C
  • Available 8-postion Color Filter Wheel

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QSI RS Series adds the following features for specialized astronomy applications

  • MAR-Coated Fused Silica Window for UV imaging
  • Hardware input trigger

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Beyond the obvious benefits for astronomers of low noise, precisely regulated cooling and a light weight, compact design, QSI cameras have a number of other benefits that are more subtle.

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Features and Benefits

Low profile design

Integrated fans and cable design where all cables exit perpendicular to the optical axis provides a very low moment arm at the end of a telescope and makes cable management much easier.

Very power efficient

At maximum cooling QSI 600 Series cameras draw less than 2 Amps at 12VDC. Not only does this result in less heat that needs to be dissipated but it allows much longer operation when running on batteries

Great moisture control

The environmental chamber on QSI 600 Series cameras is filled with ultra-dry UHP argon and kept dry with a microsieve desiccant. Just as important is that all the cooling power is focused directly on the hermetically sealed environmental chamber. The camera body acts as a heat sink for the 2-stage TECs, which keeps the body and chamber window above ambient temperate (and dew point) in most situations.

Guider Control Port

QSI 600 Series cameras have a Guider Control Port for sending guider correction signals to your mount. This allows you to use any camera as a guide camera without requiring any additional hardware. This is particularly convenient with the WSG models that include the Integrated Guider Port.

Innovative WSG models w/ Integrated Guider Port

The QSI 600 Series WSG models have an internal mechanical shutter and filter wheel like the WS models, plus they add an Integrated Guider Port. This allows guiding using the light from your main telescope while picking off the light from the guide star in front of the filters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]