[ Note:  This page is for reference only.  The ST-6B has been discontinued and replaced with the ST-9XE ]

ST-6B CCD IMAGING CAMERA

The Model ST-6B was a successful product from the moment it became available. Following its introduction, for a period of years, it was in wider use than any other cooled low light level CCD imaging camera in the world. It's popularity by both amateur and professional astronomers was clearly proven by the hundreds of discoveries that have been published based on observations and images with this instrument. Discoveries ranging from Near Earth Asteroids and Supernova monitoring to the study of Gamma Ray Burster error boxes and distant Globular Clusters.

The ST-6B is still in use throughout the world.  However, for those interested in a relatively inexpensive large pixel array with high sensitivity, the ST-9E offers better performance.  The ST-9E also includes SBIG's patented dual sensor self-guiding, a feature not available on the ST-6B.  For these reasons, the ST-6B has been discontinued and replaced by the ST-9E. 

Saturn.   Color image captured with a Model ST-6 CCD camera and color filter wheel.  Taken through a C14 telescope at f/60 using eyepiece projection. Courtesy Ed Grafton

The Model ST-6B will reveal spiral structure in hundreds of galaxies with 1 to 5 minute exposures at the prime focus of an 8 inch f/10 telescope. Planetary nebulae become easy objects. Stellar photometry down to 18th magnitude can be easily accomplished.  The imaging camera is used in conjunction with an IBM PC compatible or Macintosh computer which allows the images to be easily displayed and processed. The ST-6B uses a proprietary two stage thermoelectric cooler design. The CCD temperature is user selectable and regulated to 0.1 degree.  A regulating thermistor on the CCD stabilizes the temperature for long periods allowing low dark current operation. As a result, the ST-6B is capable of one hour exposures that are typically sky background limited.

NGC 253. Twenty 30 second exposures were combined to create this ST-6 image taken through a C8 telescope operting at f/6.3.  Courtesy of Ed Grafton

The ST-6B incorporates a unique feature called Automatic Track & Accumulate (TRACCUM), allowing automatic guiding of long integrated images. In the TRACCUM mode the ST-6B will take an exposure, determine the position of a preselected star, add the image to the image sum building in an internal memory buffer, correct the telescope's position and then start the cycle over again. In this mode up to 64 images can be co-added. The resulting exposure is almost as good as a single long exposure, dependent on the exposure used and the actual sky conditions. The great sensitivity of the CCD virtually guarantees that there will be a usable guide star within the field of view. This patented feature provides dramatic performance and makes long exposures easy.

NGC 4216.  This color image was captured with an ST-6 camera and color filter wheel through a C14 telescope operating at f/7. Courtesy Ed Grafton

The ST-6B allows the user to pursue challenging photometric and astrometric tasks which previously required expensive photomultipliers, and precise microscopes with expensive translation stages. These functions, which are part of the CCDOPS operating software furnished with each imaging camera, include variable star photometry, precise asteroid monitoring, and even spectroscopy. The CCD does more than just capture images with great sensitivity; it enables accurate brightness data to be extracted, a third dimension to all images shown here, a dimension which is very difficult to obtain from film.

Model ST-6B CCD Specifications

Readout Specifications

Optical Specifications (8" f/10)

System Specifications

Physical Dimensions

Price

Revised: September 11, 2002 03:44:19 PM.
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