Starfish PRO

Starfish PRO
	Features
	Spec Sheet
	Models
	Starfish PRO FAQ
Ordering Information
	Starfish PRO 4M-M
	Starfish PRO 4M-C

Starfish
	More Information
Ordering Information
	Starfish Standard
	Starfish Guider


	Based upon the core design of the original Starfish Guide camera, we have introduced a new line of CCD cameras for the Astro-imaging market. Keeping the same small form factor, light weight, high performance design of the original camera core, we have married it with an entirely new analog front-end designed to accommodate a wide range of CCD image sensors. We’ve enhanced our advanced image processing circuitry to produce the cleanest images possible. We’ve even increased performance allowing us to achieve even faster pixel read speeds for planetary imaging while still allowing for slower readouts for more noise free images while capturing those deep sky photographs. We’ve even included a mechanical shutter to allow for Full-Frame CCD image sensors and automatic dark frame capture.


	Outstanding image quality and large format CCD chips allow the camera to be used as your primary imaging camera for deep sky astro-photography. Fast frame rates and excellent sensitivity make it a best of class planetary imager. ST-4 guide port, small form factor and light weight make the camera an excellent high-end guide camera.

Starfish PRO features
• Range of available image sensors
	• 1M Pixels to 8M Pixels • Monochrome or Color • Interline or Full-frame CCDs • pixels sizes of 5.2u to 7.4u
• Computer interface: USB 2.0
	•12M Pixels/sec upload
• Small size: 2.75” dia X 3.4” long
• Lightweight: 14 oz.
• Integrated Mechanical Shutter
• Hardware frame buffer
• Cooling: 2-stage TEC, internal fan
	• 40°C below ambient
•Sensor mounting:
	•Sealed with Desiccant plug
	•AR-coated window
	•Collimation adjustment screws

Starfish heritage:

Starfish PRO Development:

Advanced NEW features:

We took the core design of our original Starfish camera and used it as the starting point for the Starfish PRO camera. This gave us a very compact and lightweight camera enclosure. In fact, the Starfish PRO is 30% smaller by volume and 30% lighter than its closest competitor in the multi-megapixel class of cameras. Finally, people with modest size telescopes and mounts can now work with a medium format camera for their astro-photography.

During the development of the Starfish PRO camera, we used sophisticated CAE and CAD tools to model the design. Every facet of the design was simulated and fine tuned to get the most performance out of the camera. This assures that the images you capture will be as high a quality as the CCD image sensor is capable of producing. The camera electronics are not the weak link in the imaging system

Since we were designing a new camera line to be used as a primary imaging camera, we designed a really high performance analog front-end to the image sensor. We started with a 16 bit ADC and married that with a very low noise analog signal processing chain. Along with our unique digital post processing logic built into the camera’s Image Processor, we have achieved a level of image quality our competitors only dream of.
We’ve also increased the size of our frame buffer and designed a super-fast USB interface capable of uploading images at 12M Pixels/sec. All of this makes imaging with large multi-megapixel image sensors a breeze.
Lastly, we’ve increased the cooling capacity for the sensor by utilizing a 2-stage TEC cooler and integral cooling fan. Dark noise in your images is extremely low.

Availability:

The first member of the Starfish PRO line will be available in the July 2009 timeframe and utilize the 4M Pixel Kodak KAI-04022 image sensor. 1M Pixel, 2M Pixel, and 8M Pixel versions of the camera will follow shortly afterwards.