CCD Astro camera Atik 314L+

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In November 2009 I purchased a new cooled CCD Astrokamera Atik 314L +. The new plus version of this camera was available since May 2009 on the market. The main difference to the normal version 314L is the cooling. The CCD temperature is now adjustable via software in steps of 0.1 degree Celsius. In this way the camera can reach a CCD temperature of -27° Celsius below environment temperature. The normal type 314L is always cooling at maximum and can reach about -25° Celsius below environment temperature. This exact temperatur controlling at the Atik 314L+ now allows the making of a collection of relevant dark images.

The Atik Astro CCD camera 314L+ makes a high quality impression and is delivered with all necessary accessory parts. Cables for DC supply from a car and for the USB data transfer. An adapter with T2 thread and 1.25 inch for mounting the camera also on a 1.25 eyepiece holder. The software for controlling the cooling, focus and imaging sequences is also included in the delivery.

Technical data of the CCD Astro camera Atik 314L +

CCD sensor type:           Sony ICX285AL
CCD sensor dimensions:     8.98 x 6.71mm, Diagonal 11.21mm, 4:3, Type 2/3"
CCD sensor design:         Monochrom, Progressive scan, Interline transfer, Lens on chip
Pixel resolution:          1391(H) x 1039(V), 1.45 Megapixel
Pixel size:                6.45µm x 6.45µm
Full well capacity:        17.500 e¯
Anti blooming gate:        ≥ 200 x Full well capacity, permanent
Quantum efficiency:        Sensitivity range 300nm - 1050nm, Maximum value of 65% at 540nm
Dark current:              0.0005 e¯/s*pixel at 0° Celsius or 1 ADU in 10 minutes
Cooling:                   Thermo electrical with one level Peltier element and permanent ventilation
Temperature control range: -27° Celsius relative below environment temperature, adjustable in 0.1 degree steps till -40° Celsius absolute
Minimum exposure time:     1/1000 second
Maximum exposure time:     10,000 seconds
Range [step size]:         1ms - 10ms [1ms]
                           10ms - 100ms [10ms]
                           100ms - 10s [100ms]
                           10s - 10,000s [1s]
Read out noise:            3.7 e¯
Dynamic range:             1:4730
Gain:                      0.267 e¯/ADU
Linearity:                 better than 0.4% (in the range without ABG) 
ADC and data format:       16 bit, RAW Fits
Binning:                   1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7 and 8x8 via software
Supply:                    12V DC, 0.8A (DC connector 2.1/5.5mm, mid pin positive)
Data interface:            USB2.0 High Speed, 1 Megapixel/s and 2 Megapixel/s in preview mode
Guiding port:              ST-4 compatible
Optical connection:        T2 inside thread (M42x0.75mm), thread depth 3mm
Protection glass for CCD:  BK7 with thickness of 2mm and with BBAR anti reflex coating on both surfaces
Adapter:                   T2 to 1.25 inch
Focus dist. to T2 thread:  10.1mm (T2 thread back end), 13.1mm (T2 thread front end)
Dimensions:                Red case part Dm110x31mm, Black case part Dm57x21mm, overall dimension 110x55mm
Gewicht:                   400 grams

QE characteristic of the camera Atik 314L+
My own measurement of CCD linearity The sensitivity curve shows a linear run up to more than 60,000 ADU despite the ABG
The astro CCD camera Atik 314L+
The CCD sensor ICX285AL behind the protection glass	The T2 thread with a thread depth of 3mm

CCD camera Atik 314L+ and Canon EOS lens

The camera Atik 314L+ can be used with Canon EOS lens too. A special adapter from Canon bayonet to T2 thread (M42x0.75) and a T2 distance ring offer an excellent mechanical connection with the necessary Canon backfocus of 44 mm to the point of focus on the CCD plane. This adapter from Geoptik has an optical installation length of only 19 millimeters. So the achievement of the focal plane is no problem with the Atik 314L+ and with my other cameras. The free aperture of 35 mm is enough for bigger CCD sensors too without the danger of vignetting on the image edge.

The Geoptik adapter has a L-shaped mount plate with one 1/4 inch photo thread and three M5 threads. So a mounting on the gear tilt head of my Manfrotto 075 tripod or on a dovetail fitting on my EQ6 mount is possible. With a focal lenght of 17 mm a sky area of 30.2 x 22.6 degrees can be captured in an image. With 300 mm only a sky area of 1.7 x 1.3 degrees can be captured.

The camera Atik 314L+ with Geoptik adapter on Canon EOS lens EF-S 17-85 IS UMS

The camera Atik 314L+ with Geoptik Adapter on Canon EOS lens EF 70-300 IS UMS

CCD camera Atik 314L+ and the William Optics Megrez72

On the WO Doublet APO the CCD camera is mainly used with autoguiding only. The TS Flattener flattens the image field of the WO Megrez72 without a reduction of the focal length. At this optic with a f-ratio of f=6.0 the distance from the Flattener to the CCD plane should be 108 mm +/- 5%. Another criterion is the distance of 1.25 inch filters from the CCD plane with a diagonal of 11 mm. This distance should not be more than 78 mm to surely avoid vignetting.

The equipment for long time exposures on the William Optics Megrez72 Doublet APO CCD camera Atik314L+ - T2 connection ring - filter wheel - T2 tube - T2/2" dovetail ring Off Axis Guider with video camera WAT-120N - 2" tube - TS Flattener 2"

The setup of all components on William Otpics Megrez72 Doublet APO All the assembly is clamped in the 2 inch eyepiece holder and can be rotated in any direction

The setup on William Otpics Megrez72 Doublet APO with filter box All the assembly is clamped in the 2 inch eyepiece holder and can be rotated in any direction

CCD camera Atik 314L+ and the 10 inch Newton

On the Newton with a focal length of 1200 mm the CCD camera has to be autoguided. The coma corrector MPCC flattens the image field of the Newton with f=4.72. The distance from the MPCC to the CCD plane should be in the range of 55 mm +/- 1mm. Another criterion here also is the distance of 1.25 inch filters from the CCD plane with a diagonal of 11 mm. This distance should not be more than 60 mm to surely avoid vignetting.

The setup of all components on the 10 inch Newton All the assembly is clamped in the 2 inch JMI eyepiece holder with motor focus

The equipment for long time exposures in detail Off Axis Guider with video camera WAT-120N - MPCC - T2 tube - filter wheel - T2 connection ring - CCD camera Atik314L+

The setup on the 10 Zoll Newton with filter box All the assembly is clamped in the 2 inch JMI eyepiece holder with motor focus