ST-8XE CCD IMAGING CAMERA

The Model ST-8XE is identical to the Model ST-7XE except that it is furnished with a 4x larger imaging CCD detector and 2.7X larger tracking CCD.  The imaging CCD has a Full Frame Resolution of 1530 x 1020 pixels at 9 microns square and the tracking CCD has 657 x 495 pixels at 7.4 microns square.  Since the ST-7XE and ST-8XE imaging CCD detectors are pin to pin compatible, SBIG designed the CCD head to accept either detector. As a result the Model ST-7XE is easily upgraded to the Model ST-8XE. The large CCD active area of 13.8 x 9.2 mm allows the user to image large fields of view with the ST-8XE. The various binning modes of 9, 18, and 27 micron pixels allows the user to match the focal length of a wide range of telescopes and lenses to this imaging camera. The imaging camera includes an electro-mechanical shutter, 16-bit analog to digital (A/D) converter, regulated temperature control with all of the electronics integrated into the CCD head. Communication to the PC is through the USB port.  The Full Frame download time is approximately 3.7 seconds, nearly 14 times faster than the previous parallel port version of this camera.  The image update rate in focus mode is approximately 2 frames per second.  Click here for information on recent improvements in design and the new High Speed USB Interface.

May 2004:  The ST-8XE is now available with the new KAF-1603ME CCD from Kodak.  This latest version of the CCD uses the same microlens technology that has met with much success on the ST-10XME and ST-7XME cameras.  Click here for more information on the ST-8XME.  Other than the QE, please note that all the specs below are the same. 

M31.   ST-8E two image mosaic of Andromeda galaxy taken through a 4" refractor using a CFW8 filter wheel.  Courtesy Robert Gendler

SBIG actively encourages wide field imaging with the Model ST-8XE. We offer Camera Lens Adapters (CLA-7) to attach standard camera lenses to the imaging camera. In wide field imaging the ST-8XE, CLA-7 and camera lens are typically mounted piggyback on the primary telescope, which acts as a guiding platform. The ST-8XE is set for the high resolution (9 x 9 micron) pixel mode to match the short focal lengths of the camera lens. SBIG has received wide field customer images with 4 to 5 degrees field of view showing large extended objects with much detail and structure. Wide field imaging (i.e., f/2 to f/4) is easy to do, as locating objects becomes a relatively simple matter and guiding is much less critical at the short focal lengths of 100 to 400 mm. We urge our customers to try this technique with both Models ST-7XE and ST-8XE.

M51.  Model ST-8E image of the Whirlpool Galaxy taken through a 12.5" f/6.7 telescope.  Courtesy William McLaughlin

NGC 7000.  A portion of the North American nebula was captured with  5" f/6 telescope using an ST-8 camera equipped with an H-alpha filter .  Three 20 minute frames were averaged to create this false color image.   Courtesy Brad Ehrhorn

NGC 5128.  This ST-8E image of Centarus A ws taken through a C14 telesocpe at f/11.  Courtesy Peter Ward

In its price range, the Model ST-8XE is unmatched in resolution, performance, low noise and field of view in the amateur astronomy market and, therefore, is widely used in astronomy for high resolution imaging and wide field searches for near earth asteroids, comets, supernova, etc. The dual CCD structure allowed SBIG to design an Adaptive Optics System to work in conjunction with the ST-8XE and other self-guiding cameras in the ST line.  This unique system is described under the Accessory Products section of this catalog.

M16.  ST-8 image of the Eagle Nebula taken through a 7" f/9 telescope using a CFW8 filter wheel and AO-7 adaaptive optics device.  Each RGB image was guided at 10 corrections per second. Courtesy David Hanon.

Model ST-8XME
Typical Specifications

CCD Specifications

Readout Specifications

Optical Specifications (8" f/10)

System Specifications

Physical Dimensions

Price

Price and specifications subject to change without notice

Revised: February 10, 2005 03:06:55 PM.
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