Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager
by Celestron

List Price: $162.95
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital product summary information

• Complete CCD solar system imager produces high-quality planetary images
• View and capture live video on your computer screen
• Software automatically filters out fuzzy frames for sharper image
• Easy to install and use
• Manually control gain, contrast, exposure time, and much more from your PC

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Digital camera reviews of Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager

Digital camera Review: Barrel Too Small
Summary: 4 Stars

Summary of Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager

An image of Jupiter taken with the Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager

Amateur astronomers have been taking great pictures of the moon and planets by using modified Webcams. The favored Webcams for astro-imaging have been the hard-to-find Philips ToUCam and Vesta models because of their high-performance CCD chips. Now Celestron's Neximage puts the same CCD technology in a package that's ready to use with any telescope that accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces. The NexImage includes an anodized metal nosepiece that fits in a 1.25-inch eyepiece holder. When I installed the Windows based software, I also updated my Windows Media Player files. Then I simply plugged the NexImage into my computers' USB port, and I was ready to start taking pictures.

The NexImage CCD is sensitive enough that I can take "snapshots" of the Moon or Sunspots (always use a safe Solar filter, of course!) even without a motor-driven telescope. The real power of the NexImage package, however, comes from its included Registax software which automatically aligns and stacks hundreds of individual AVI video frames into one sharp, highly detailed picture.

I used my 8-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (similar to the Nexstar 8 GPS ) and my 2x Ultima Barlow lens to capture some beautiful pictures of Jupiter and Saturn. The sensitive Sony CCD chip in the NexImage easily shows color and detail on Jupiter that just doesn't show up when I use CMOS-based Webcams.

The fine performance of the NexImage package is limited somewhat by its included video capture software. The AmCap software doesn't give me the precise control of exposure times I'd like; I wasn't able to photograph the moon Callisto next to Jupiter, for instance, without overexposing the planet. Celestron doesn't mention the other little drawback in its ads. You'll have so much fun that your hard drive will start filling up with pictures and AVIs! --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Sensitive CCD chip
• Fits any telescope that takes 1.25-inch eyepieces
• Powerful image processing software

• Takes practice to get the exposure time just right
• Software is Windows only
• You'll fill up your hard drive with pictures

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