GSTAR-EX Astronomical CCD Camera

GSTAR-EX Deepsky Planetary Imaging in Real-Time

GENERAL
- Home
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- Buy GSTAR-EX
- Feedback

 

www.myAstroShop.com.au

SUPPORT
- Tutorial / Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Downloads
- GSTAR-USERS
- FAQ

ngc7009
NGC 7009 by S.Quirk

OPTIONS
- Additional Cables
- Filters
- Filter Selector
- Reducers

NGC4945

NGC 4945 by S.Quirk

 

M104 - from Sydney
 

Sombrero Galaxy

 

JUPITER
 

Jupiter

 

NGC5128 - from Sydney
 


Centaurus A

 

M16 - from dark sky

Eagle Nebula

M16 by S.Quirk

 

M42 - from Sydney
 

m42.jpg (13559 bytes)

 

IC2220 - from dark sky

 

IC 2220
IC2220 by S.Quirk

 

GSTAR-COM for PC

GSTAR-COM2 by Chris Wakeman

With the GSTAR-COM cable and our FREE GSTAR2 capture software you can control all the primary functions of the camera from a remote location.

 

GSTAR CAPTURE
GSTAR-EX Capture Software

Our FREE video capture utility software.

 

COMET NEAT 2001 Q4
Record and discover comets

taken from Sydney

 

MERCURY
 

Credit: Steve Massey

Rare detail captured in this image of Mercury. This is part of the planet not imaged by Mariner 10.

 

M1 - from Sydney

 

Crab Nebula

RGB image of the Crab Nebula from light polluted suburban skies

 

Horse Head - Sydney
Horse Head Nebula taken from Sydney



Hottest Video and Planetary camera in Australia

NEW - GSTAR-EX with Hand Control
NEW HAND CONTROL MODEL AVAILABLE

No Fuss set-up and Easy to Use
View faint galaxies and nebula on your T.V or PC
View the planets and Moon with incredible detail
See more detail than views at the eyepiece
Perfect public viewing tool for Observatories, Schools, Universities, family and friends.
Great stunning black & white portraits
Colour imaging with optional LRGB filter set
Fast image rates to help beat the distorting effects of the atmosphere. 
Internal integration mode for capturing faint objects
S-Video and Composite connections
Record to VCR, DVD or Hard Disk

THE ULTIMATE FINDERSCOPE WTH A 25mm C-LENS

 

WELCOME TO GSTAR-EX DEEP SKY & PLANETARY IMAGING
SIMPLE AS 1.. 2.. 3..

Looking for a simple, no-fuss way to capture dramatic portraits of the night sky with a telescope? Something that doesn't require absolutely perfect telescope tracking or polar alignment and long exposure times? The GSTAR-EX camera is the complete CCD imaging tool you've been seeking. Utilising a highly sensitive Sony CCD and leading edge, on-board image accumulation technology, this camera reveals stunning views of galaxies, nebula, star clusters, comets, the planets and their moons, our own Moon and the Sun (filtered) in extraordinary detail.

You'll see more structure in nebulae and the starry expanses of galaxies and their dust lanes than can be seen at the eyepiece in near real-time. Simply place the camera in to the focuser of your telescope like an eyepiece and connect it to your home T.V. monitor, VCR, DVD recorder or PC.

Set the camera to integration mode and watch those faint deep sky wonders unfold before your eye's! You don't even need to travel to dark country skies to achieve excellent celestial portraits.

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HOW GSTAR-EX WORKS
GSTAR-EX is a highly light sensitive video camera imaging system that offers the benefits of both high-speed image capture and a special video frame accumulation mode. In SENSE UP mode normal exposures are internally co-added in the cameras onboard memory refreshing the image on your PC or T.V monitor every 2.56 seconds at maximum integration. The slower the integration time set, the quicker the screen refreshes.

Live View of 47 Tuc Globular Cluster

Above: A live screen view of the globular cluster 47 Tuc using maximum sense up mode of the camera at the prime focus of a 100mm refractor from Sydney.

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APPLICATIONS
Lunar Imaging - Planetary Imaging - Deep Sky Imaging - Supernova Patrol - Comet Hunting - All Sky Camera - Meteor & Asteroid Imaging - Occultation timing - as a finderscope or for guiding.

The GSTAR-EX was the camera of choice for astronomers at Siding Spring Observatory where several cameras have been put into service in a variety of applications. See it in action live from Siding Spring Observatory with 180° Fisheye view of the sky here

PUBLIC EDUCATION

The GSTAR-EX is the perfect tool for educational nights in public observatories, schools, clubs and universities particularly when people are having difficulty viewing objects through the eyepiece.

Both video outputs (Composite and S-Video) can be used simultaneously if needed. One connection to a local monitor and one to a remote PC or other recording device.

CAMERA TO COMPUTER OPTIONS

Capturing the video output from the GSTAR-EX to a desktop PC or Laptop can be achieved by using a video capture device such as a PCI slot card in the case of a desktop machine or a video to USB / firewire converter box or cable or dedicated PCMCIA capture card for a Laptop without a video in port. Some are dedicated video capture devices or have built-in T.V. tuners with additional inputs for external video cameras. The most common capture file format is AVI with most T.V and capture card devices. See FAQ page for more.

VIDEO FINDERSCOPE

The GSTAR-EX is an amazing tool when used as a finderscope. Fitted with a wide-field lens it can be used to locate stars otherwise invisible the naked eye after sunset. Simply, turn the BLC (Back light compensation) function to OFF, set AutoGain to MANUAL (MAX setting) and accumulation mode to X128 and you'll be seeing stars on the monitor! Quite often atmospheric steadiness "the seeing" is best just after sunset. This means you can use the GSTAR-EX fitted with wide-view lens, piggyback on your telescope as a finderscope to locate stars for GOTO mount star alignments while the sky is still quite bright. Once alignment is successful, you can allow time for your optics to cool as the sky darkens.

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DOWNLOADS
My Astro Shop provides complete technical support for the GSTAR - EX camera and are available for guidance and advice on (02)9905-0757 during business hours. You can also contact us here.

We are slowly but surely updating this guide which is a work in progress.

GSTAR-EX User Manual V3.1 - DOWNLOAD HERE


GSTAR-CAPTURE freeware software interface V2.5 (Full Package)
A flexible video capture program originally developed by Steve Massey and more recently greatly improved by GStar user Chris Wakeman. It uses your installed capture device drivers allowing multiple standard capture rates and additional rates slower than 1 frame per second in accordance with the GStar integration sense up modes. Includes editable objects, location and equipment database recording Universal times, tracking crosshair reticle, image enhancement functions, frame selection for post procssing among many other useful tools. Access to camera drivers for PCMCIA, PCI and USB devices is possible and includes direct access to the GSTAR-COM program for remote camera control via the (optional) GSTAR-COM cable. It also includes easy scripting facility for timed filtered exposures such as RGB or LRGB sequence.

Suits Windows XP and maybe Vista also. DOWNLOAD HERE

*** GSTAR-CAPTURE patch file 2.6 ** NEW UPDATE

This patch includes a number of minor fixes and improvements to the full install version above plus the new and improved GSTAR-COM mini toolbar developed by Chris Wakeman. Note: If installing for the first time you should first download and install the Full Installation Package then this 2.6 Patch (exe file).

*** GSTAR-CAPTURE patch file 2.6.11 with Auto-Deinterlacing Feature***

Here you can get the latest version of the executable program in a ZIP version for 2.6.11 (exe patch file only). It include a few minor improvements plus now has auto-deinterlacing of images recorded to bitmap and AVI files. It's still a beta release but your comments are appreciated. Simply copy the file gstar2.exe from this zip file into the installation folder on your computer - overwriting the old exe file.


NEW *** GSTAR-COM ** only stand alone software for PC to camera control interface if you are using another video capture program.

Download the self installer here.


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SPECIFICATIONS
Image Sensor: 1/2 inch Sony ExView HAD CCD (795(H) x 596(V) pixels)
Sensor Pixels 8.6um(H) x (8.3um(V)
Resolution: Hi-res 600TVL (better than SVHS)
Capture Size: 768 x 576 pixels (max frame capture size - depends on video capture card used)
Standard: CCIR or EIA - Monochrome (Black and White)
Sensitivity: 0.0001 LUX
Shutter Speeds: 1/50 or 1/60 sec to 1/12,000 second (16 steps) - Automatic and Manual control
Integration Mode: Deep Sky Mode - X2 to X128 (max integration) (11 steps)
Signal Gain AGC Automatic and Manual control
Signal Processing A/D converter 10 bit AGC/AD converter (8 bit output)
Video Outputs 1x Composite (BNC) and S-Video - 1Vp-p
Communication RS232 (via mini din)
Gamma Adjust For deeper contrast of the planets and Moon
Digital Zoom Multi-step from 1x to 2 x internal image rescaling (useful where optical magnification is limited)
Picture Enhance via On Screen Display menu
Operating Temp -20° to +50°C
Dimmensions (L) 100mm (W) 50mm (H) 50mm
Interface 5 buttons for OSD control on back panel plus RS-232 interface for computer control.
Power 12VDC regulated 200mA (centre positive)
Power Indicator Power On LED indicator is RED for maintaining dark adaptation and minimising obtrusive lighting.
GSTAR-EX Spectral Response
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GSTAR-EX CAMERA MODELS

GSTAR-EX (PAL) for Australia, U.K, New Zealand and other CCIR regions - Basic Camera System

GSTAR-EXC (PAL) Camera with Hand Control for Australia, U.K, New Zealand and other CCIR regions

GSTAR-EXC (NTSC) For U.S and other EIA regions Camera with Hand Control

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GSTAR-EX USER GROUP
A camera users support group has been established with Yahoo as a general resource for camera owners to ask questions and share ideas and tips etc. It is not a discussion forum as such but rather a place to log any questions regarding set-up and use of the GSTAR-EX or imaging and image processing tips. While many owners find the camera quite simple to operate with our online application user manual covering most questions, if you'd like to share your results, questions or tips with other camera owners this might be a useful resource for you.

Join the GSTAR-EX User Group

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FEEDBACK FROM GSTAR-EX USERS
The GStar camera never ceases to amaze me. I have seen objects with the telescope that I simply cannot see in an eyepiece. Thank you

G. Shirley (N.S.W)

The GSTAR is unbelievable - astonishing. I'm imaging stars to 12 - 13 mag
using a celestron 130 SLT !!
After processing in registax etc I'm getting nearly textbook shots from my
light polluted skys using a basically entry level telescope.

Its obviously changed amateur astronomy forever and now no more worrying
about stray lights, dark adaption etc etc.

Neil Proud (W.A)

In a world of increasing complexity, the GSTAR-EX stands out as a simple but effective astro imaging camera that is capable of achieving stunning results. It is a versatile for planetary, lunar and deep sky imaging. I have imaged galaxies around 12th magnitude and found it to be an amazing camera for a good price and backed by excellent service.

Darrin Nitschke (Sydney)

As a first time ever imager, the GSTAR-EX truly amazed me. I set up my scope, literally took the GSTAR EX out of its sealed unopened box, placed it in the scope, connected the power and video cables, turned on the monitor and what do you see, Centaurus A sitting beautifully in the middle of the screen. It was that simple. I have to say that I have not had a more enjoyable and exciting moment in star gazing. I highly recommend this camera and the great support given by myAstroShop to all.

Website:http://deepskyvideo.bigpondhosting.com/index_files/page0001.htm

Michael Clark (Sydney)

Amazingly easy to use and a great tool for astronomy overall. The live on screen view is even better than I'd initially imagined. Having the great local support made the choice even easier!

John Marion (ACT)

I am simply amazed at how well this camera detects faint objects. To easily see galaxies and other faint deep sky objects live on the monitor that I used to struggle to glimpse at the eyepiece before is truly amazing and especially in moonlit skies!

Steve Quirk (Mudgee NSW)

The GSTAR-EX is one hell of a camera!!! I'm pleased to report that it is fully
compatible with our existing fisheye lens, and in fact the lens is now a
full-hemisphere fisheye thanks to the increased CCD size (formerly it
was slightly cropped at the top and bottom of the screen). It is also
compatible with the DC-iris of our lens.
The low-light-level (x128 integration) is astonishing. No matter now
dark I make my room, it looks like broad daylight when viewed through
the camera.

Dr.Andre Phillips (Siding Spring Observatory N.S.W)

"...even from Sydney light pollution and with the scope roughly polar aligned, the short duration, highly sensitive exposures of the GSTAR-EX camera allows me to take images I'd never imagined possible.

Website: http://my.hwy.com.au/~sjquirk/images/image-list.html

Darren Jackson (U.K)

"The performance of this camera continues to amaze me and to see such detail and image scale with objects like M42 and Lagoon filling the screen of a 15" monitor is just breathtaking and all from suburban light polluted skies.

I could have purchased a similar camera from overseas, but chose this camera with the full back up Service and Tech support and at a good price. It is backed by one of the people who pioneered Video Astronomy here in Australia."

Dave Larkin (QLD)

Just amazing, I hardly bother these days looking in the eyepiece anymore. I know that's seems like an unromantic view but who am I to argue when technology makes observing so much fun! The GSTAR-EX camera rocks. Thanks

Stephen Price (VIC)

I can honestly state it is one of my best astronomical purchases and there is no chance that I will part with it.

Website: http://www.eyetotheuniverse.com/

Paul Milligan (U.K)

Lewis and Natasha's Website

Astrophotography with the GSTAR video camera and Celestron 130SLT 5" Newtonian.

Website: http://www.lewisandnatasha.com/

 

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Copyright 2007 Binary Systems Pty Limited
www.myAstroShop.com.au
All Rights Reserved.



GSTAR FEATURES
- Simple to use
- How Does it Work?
- Camera to PC
- PC Camera Control
- Video Finderscope
- Specifications

GSTAR-EX Package

PICTURE GALLERY
- On Screen Views
- Customer Images
- Applications
- Reviews

M65 in Leo
M65 by S.Quirk

GSTAR-EX NEWS
- Coming Soon

19.8 magnitude star near the Ring Nebula
Stacking many images and image processing reveals a 19.8 magnitude star near M57 with 12-inch telescope.

courtesy S.Quirk

M20 - from Sydney
m20 Trifid Nebula
LUNAR LANDSCAPES
Eratosthenes
URANUS AND MOONS
 


Uranus and Moons captured with a 10-inch Newtonian

 

M8 - from dark sky

Lagoon Nebula

M8 by Mark Garrett

 

GSTAR-EX Kit
GSTAR-EX with Case and filters

Neatly packaged in a handy carry case the GSTAR-EX kit includes UV/IR blocking and colour filters for LRGB imaging.

 

M17
M17

M17 by Mark Garrett

 

SEE OUR REGULAR ADVERTISEMENTS

See our Ads in Australian Sky and Telescope
Australian Sky & Telescope Magazine

 

VIDEO ASTRONOMY
Get the book and find out what Video Astronomy is all about

Get the book
Video Astronomy
(revised edition)

HELIX NEBULA
 

Helix Nebula

Helix Nebula imaged from Sydney. Exposure using maximum accumulation mode and 100 stacked video frames.

 

SATURN
Saturn

RGB image of Saturn

 

Comet C/2006 P1 McNaught
GStar-Ex and telephoto lens wih RGB filtering

 

GSTAR-EX RGB+I filters
GSTAR-EX Filter Set
GSTAR-EX for Atlas
Atlas of the Southern Night Sky

The GSTAR-EX camera was used for more than 85% of the image illustrations in the renowned Atlas of the Southern Night Sky sold throughout Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

 

See the camera in action live at MO

Visit the fine people at Mudgee Observatory

If you're passing through country NSW then stop off at Mudgee Observatory and ask to see the GSTAR-EX camera live view from one of their fine telescopes.