You can select Class 3, Class 2, or Class 1 versions of the 2" ST-8XEI
ccd camera. These are priced at $995.00, $1,700.00 and $2,700.00 respectively.
The Class 2 and Class 1 versions of the larger STL-6303E ccd camera both cover 4 X the area of the
preceding camera, and are priced at $12,995.00 and $32,995.00 respectively.
The Class 1 version of the even larger STL-11000M ccd camera has the same area as 35 mm film. It is priced
at $8,995.00 even though it covers the largest area. Pictured at the right is the ST-8XEI
ccd camera with the external CFW8A Colour Filter Wheel attached. The Color Wheel is priced at $995.00
including a set of "LRGBC" dichroic RGB filters. Replacement colour filters cost $750.00
a set. Hold your mouse pointer over here
to see the Color Filter wheel by itself. The SGS Self Guiding Spectroscope, seen by holding your mouse pointer
over here isn't required to detect Comets, but helps
identify whether any moving object detected is composed of mostly ice or rock. The software that
comes with the selected camera is able to both align and blink separate images of the same area
of the sky to detect moving objects.
For my telescope tube I have chosen Aluminum tubing, as it has
better thermal and mechanical properties than cardboard, fiberglass, and plastic. It also tracks
the mechanical changes in Pyrex glass due to changing temperatures more closely than the others
do.