Extreme ToUcam SPC900 Astrophotography Modification

http://www.jtwastronomy.com

Something I started doing for fun, now I'm doing for other people on request. I take a normal SPC900 webcam, replace the CCD with a super-sensitive black and white one of twice the size, install pure copper heatsinks (handmade by me too), peltier cooling and a high performance PC fan.

The serial port is to facilitate long exposure control via PC using K3CCD tools or something similar. The huge volume of air in the casing is to allow ample cooling with plenty of room for the long exposure and amp off modifications.

Features -
Short exposure work, for the planets, Sun, Moon, ISS etc
Long exposure work, deep sky, other faint objects
Large 1/2" CCD (8mm diagonal)
Super high sensitivity, gives live views of a lot of deep sky objects
High end Sony CCD, powered by Phillips driver board
Floating CCD design uses entire metal case as a gigantic heatsink
Solid machined copper heatsinks and silver based thermal paste as finishing touches to no expense spared peltier cooling system
10W Peltier element for sub-zero running temperatures
Very large pixel and sensor size for excellent field of view and sensitivity
Dedicated power supply for the Peltier cooler, no overloading of the USB ports
Overdrive on peltier system for very long exposures
High performance brand name PC fan for massive airflow (40 cubic metres an hour!) with zero vibration
"Industry Standard" construction, everything uses the same standards as other astronomy equipment and requires no special software or special treatment
100% Compatibilty with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OSX and Linux
USB control instead of the obsolete serial or parallel control usually seen on modified cameras
Comes with a foam lined metal carrycase
Hand made in Holland by small private seller depending on maintaining a solid reputation
No cost cutting, every component used is of the highest quality, quality and performance takes priority over cost at every junction
Anodised black case for durability and good looks!
CNC engraved with your initials
12 Month guarantee

This when combined with a H-alpha, OIII and SII narrowband astronomy filters and take false colour images that are pretty much immune to the ridiculous light pollution in Western Europe!

Music - Goldeneye N64 - Facility

My eBay store is here -
shop.ebay.com/divinecacti/m.html

Category:

Education

Tags:

• astronomy
• telescope
• astrophotography
• toucam
• spc900
• amateur

[deazwe]

How much for a camera modified as you show in the video? Also, how do you control the cooling (that is how do you regulate the temperature of the chip)?

[TelescopeAtNight]

@deazwe I have an upgraded version on ebay right now, the MkII. its in a black case and has a few extra tweaks. The link is in the description. The peltier is self regulating, with careful consideration to the power supply, it is running at about half capacity when idle, but when the CCD begins working hard (and therefore warms up) the peltier will begin also to work harder.

[JollyPandaImports]

Which Bond movie is the music from?

[TelescopeAtNight]

@JollyPandaImports Its from the N64 videogame of Goldeneye. Not sure if it was in the movie though :)

[Ziggurathss]

What is the price making such a telescope?

[TelescopeAtNight]

@Ziggurathss Depends on how far you want to go, but prices start at around 20eur for modification into a planetary imager, 45eur for deep sky (long exposures). Cameras can be supplied if needed.

[XXxxMULLINSxxXX]

How much for one of your cameras?

[IIXCygnusXII]

great video! Thanks for sharing.

clear skies.

[DCS66]

Hi TelescopeAtNight

You are the supercrack, the genuine freak! Respect for your work. I enjoy all the stunning footage you've made.

Thanks a lot!

[BuckOffama]

Awesome.

[Lohrbi]

I wonder where you get all the big CCD sensors. :)

I own only a Tracer CCD Cam and i think a similar modification does not work on this Cam. :(

But i use it for filming Planets. For this the chip is big enough. :)

Very nice modification. I like the new case.

[geofffxdwg07]

Very Impressive !!!!

[astroval1]

Nice video, great work!