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Webcam mod for astrophotography

Former Member over 11 years ago

Dear Ben

I am an amateur astronomer and have an interest in Astrophotography.

Can you help me to create a mod to take long exposure pictures using a webcam like the Philips SPC900NC.

Maybe a mod using a raspberry pi or an other equivalent controler. (if possible)

Thank you in advance

WIth regards yiangos.

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0 Former Member over 11 years ago

I looked into this some time ago. Unfortunately (unless you know how to write drivers for the webcam: The Basics:Getting Started Writing Windows Drivers) you are very unlikely to be able to get long exposures.

The cheapest cameras made for long-exposure astrophotography are probably those sold by Imaging Source (I use a camera purchased from them and love it):
www.astronomycameras.com

Another option would be to use the Raspberry Pi with its camera board. You have lots of control over the camera, but the longest exposure is still relatively short - heaps of info on their website.

If you do end up using a webcam, check out this site for adapters:
Web Cam Adapter - Mogg Adapter

Some other sites in my bookmarks:
Digital Project -- Digital Camera Interface
http://ghonis2.ho8.com/Pro9000mod.html
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL IMAGING by Gary Honis
Carsten Arnholm's Astronomy Page
http://www.calsky.com/
http://www.calsky.com/
http://www.calsky.com/http://www.calsky.com/
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0 Former Member over 11 years ago

I looked into this some time ago. Unfortunately (unless you know how to write drivers for the webcam: The Basics:Getting Started Writing Windows Drivers) you are very unlikely to be able to get long exposures.

The cheapest cameras made for long-exposure astrophotography are probably those sold by Imaging Source (I use a camera purchased from them and love it):
www.astronomycameras.com

Another option would be to use the Raspberry Pi with its camera board. You have lots of control over the camera, but the longest exposure is still relatively short - heaps of info on their website.

If you do end up using a webcam, check out this site for adapters:
Web Cam Adapter - Mogg Adapter

Some other sites in my bookmarks:
Digital Project -- Digital Camera Interface
http://ghonis2.ho8.com/Pro9000mod.html
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL IMAGING by Gary Honis
Carsten Arnholm's Astronomy Page
http://www.calsky.com/
http://www.calsky.com/
http://www.calsky.com/http://www.calsky.com/
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0 Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

thanks for the info Scott. i didn't know that about the Raspberry Pi and is work having a look. although you do make a point concerning the drivers of a webcam.
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0 Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Good luck and let us all know how you go.
A final word from me - be sure to look into pixel sizes (for example, A-focal planetary imaging with my DSLR doesn't work because the pixels in the sensor are too large) and don't overlook the ability of today's CMOS technology.
If you're not up for modifying a DSLR but you can afford to have it done; there's a company in Singapore which offers the service (no endorsement tho - I don't know anyone who has used this particular service):
Cooled DSLR
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