[Aavso-photometry] StellaCam

[Robin Leadbeater]

Hi Derek,

I have successfully used a modified webcam so anything is possible. ;-)  A
few  tips from my experience are

Depending on your video digitiser it may only give 8 bits so watch for
saturation and stack a load of images to get the count up.

I don't know about the Stellacam but both my home build cameras based on a
video camera  and the modified webcam were very non linear (deliberately so
as they have a gamma setting designed for their intended purpose.) I
compensated for  it once I measured the actual response, though in practise
I found the ensemble photometry method quite forgiving of non linearity if
you bracket your target brightness. Don't expect millimagnitude accuracy
though!

Make sure you are seeing all the signal. You need to set your controls so
you see the zero level. (I set the brightness on my webcam so it shows a
small bias signal.

I must admit I prefer my webcam to the video cam for photometry. I am a bit
wary of the effects of the interlacing on a video camera as I suspect this
gives more variation betwen images.

A hunt around my website might give you more idea

Good Luck
Robin
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Robin Leadbeater
54.75N 3.24W
http://www.leadbeaterhome.fsnet.co.uk/astro.htm
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Derek C Breit wrote:
> Can Photometry be done with an integrating video camera? Such as a
> StellaCam?
>
> Is anyone doing it?
>
>
> Derek.
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