Reference Page
Telescope / CCD Systems for Educational Projects

CCD Camera Specifications

Apogee AP7p CCD
Pixel Array: 512 x 512 pixels
Array Dimensions: 12.3 mm x 12.3 mm
Pixel Dimensions: 24 micron square

SBIG ST7 CCD
Pixel Array: 765 x 510 Pixels
Array Dimensions: 6.9 mm x 4.6 mm
Pixel Dimensions: 9 micron square
Pixel Binning Options:
   2x2; yielding 18 micron pixels, 382 x 255 array in pixels
   3x3; yielding 27 micron pixels, 255 x 170 array in pixels

SBIG ST8e CCD
Pixel Array: 1530 x 1020 Pixels
Array Dimensions: 13.8 mm x 9.8 mm
Pixel Dimensions: 9 micron square
Pixel Binning Options:
   2x2; yielding 18 micron pixels, 765 x 510 array in pixels
   3x3; yielding 27 micron pixels, 510 x 340 array in pixels

SBIG ST9e CCD
Pixel Array: 512 x 512 Pixels
Array Dimensions: 10.2 mm x 10.2 mm
Pixel Dimensions: 20 micron square

The University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory Telescopes

Yerkes 24 Inch
24 inch Boller & Chivens f/13.5 reflector with 823 cm focal length approx.
Apogee AP7p CCD (NFSI) - 512 x 512 pixel array, 24 micron pixels
DFM 8 position filter wheel with flip mirror, Omega Filters: Clear, R, V, B, I, U, Open
Experimentally measured pixel scale: 0.62 arcseconds per pixel.

Mickey's 12 Inch
Meade LX200 12 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector (Donated by Mickey Finnegan)
    F/10  Focal length = 3048 mm.  Diameter = 305 mm.
Apogee AP7p CCD (NFSI)
Manual Filter Options: Red, Green, Blue

The University of Chicago, Yerkes Rooftop Telescopes (Remote Observing over Internet)

Funded by multiple sources including: Perkins Fund, Hands-On Universe (HOU), NFSI, Univ. of Chicago, and Private Donations. Hands-On Universe is funded by National Science Foundation. NFSI is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education.

North Scope and Enclosure donated by Kevin McCarron in memory of his mother, science teacher, Eleanor L. McCarron.

"Robot" Software Development and Observatory Control Systems by Jerry Gunn, East Peoria, Illinois, for NFSI and HOU

Yerkes North Scope:  "ELM" Meade LX200 10 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/10. 
    Focal length = 2500 mm.  Diameter = 254 mm.
SBIG ST9e CCD
SBIG Filter Wheel with Clear, R, B, V, Neutral Density Custom Scientific Filters

Yerkes South Scope:  Meade LX200 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/6.3. 
    Focal length = 1280 mm.  Diameter = 203 mm.
SBIG ST8e CCD: Recommended 2x2 binning of pixels
SBIG Filter Wheel with Clear, R, B, V, Neutral Density Custom Scientific Filters

 

Near and Far Sciences for Illinois (NFSI) Telescopes
Funded by Illinois State Board of Education

NFSI 7 inch
Meade LX200 7 inch Maksutov-Cassegrain reflector, f/15. 
    Focal length = 2670 mm.  Diameter = 178 mm.
SBIG ST7 CCD
SBIG Filter Wheel with Clear, R, B, V, Neutral Density Custom Scientific Filters
Location: Chicago

NFSI 8 inches
Meade LX200 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/6.3. 
    Focal length = 1280 mm.  Diameter = 203 mm.

SBIG ST7 CCDs
SBIG Filter Wheel with Clear, R, B, V, Neutral Density Custom Scientific Filters
Locations:
    South and West Chicago Suburbs, Ken-Du-South Team
    Northern Illinois Green Team
    Central Illinois Gold Team
    Eastern Illinois Sam Parr Team
    Southern Illinois Team, Way South Team

NFSI 10 inch
Meade LX200 10 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/6.3, "Stella"
    Focal length = 1600 mm.  Diameter = 254 mm.
SBIG ST7 CCD
SBIG Filter Wheel with Clear, R, B, V, Neutral Density Custom Scientific Filters
Location: Western Illinois, Quincy area, Siloam Springs Team

 

Telescopes Owned by Teachers

Ap7p CCD or SBIG ST7 CCDs can be borrowed for use on these systems.

Kevin McCarron's Meade LX200 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/6.3. 
    Focal length = 1280 mm.  Diameter = 203 mm.
Location: Oak Park, Illinois

Sharon Carr's Meade LX200 8 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/6.3. 
    Focal length = 1280 mm.  Diameter = 203 mm.
    Owned by Sharon Carr
Location: Oak Park, Illinois

Frank Mills' Meade LX200 12 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, f/10 
    Focal length = 3048 mm.  Diameter = 305 mm.
Location: Woodstock, Illinois