Star Points for February, 2005; by Curtis Roelle Use a video camera with your telescope Telescopes and cameras have gone together since cameras were invented. In recent years cameras used for astronomy have evolved from the film emulsion type to charge couple device (CCD) and digital imaging. Film is rapidly being replaced by silicone. CCD imaging had long been in the domain of professional astronomers because of their prohibitive cost. Even today, high quality CCD cameras available to amateurs cost thousands of dollars. One recent addition is a color CCD imager from Meade Instruments (meade.com) that costs under $300. No matter which digital CCD camera you use one thing they all have in common is they need a computer -- usually a portable laptop -- for controlling the camera and for capturing, storing, and processing the resulting image. One alternative to digital cameras and CCDs for simple capturing of bright targets is a cheap video camera. The cost of video cameras has fallen significantly during the past two decades. One advantage of a video camera is it doesn't need a computer. If you have a TV then all you need is a video camera to begin video astronomy with your telescope. What can you see with a video camera connected to your telescope? Primarily, the moon. You can scan the mountains and craters along the moon's terminator where the shadows are longest and most detail can be seen. The moon is packed with individual targets whose appearance changes constantly with the shadows as the moon goes thorough its monthly phases. With a video camera and TV everyone can view at the same time. Connect it with a VCR and record your observations for later playback. I'm not talking about camcorders. They are way too bulky to mount onto a telescope. But a small lightweight security camera will do the trick. Super Circuits (supercircuits.com) sells an ultra sensitive (0.0003 Lux) black and white camera called the PC-164C for about $120. It is about the size of a telescope eyepiece. They also sell the PC-23C, a less sensitive low light color camera for $90. However, the more sensitive cameras are typically black and white. Besides, except during a lunar eclipse the moon doesn't exhibit much in the way of color anyway. There are a few additional expenses. You'll need a power supply. Most small cameras require 12 Volts so you'll either need a 12 Volt battery or a transformer that plugs into an outlet. You'll also need a cable and maybe a connector or two so that you can hook it up to your TV. You'll want to insert your camera into your telescope where the eyepiece usually goes. Most telescopes accept eyepieces with standard outside barrel diameters of 1.25" or 0.096". An eyepiece adapter that screws into the camera's standard "C" mount will let you use the video camera like an eyepiece. Adirondack (astrovid.com) sells a 1.25" adapter for about $35. Another alternative is a video eyepiece which has the eyepiece adapter built in. Meade sells a black and white video eyepiece for about $60. It has less sensitivity and lower resolution than the PC-164C but costs less. It is available in both 1.25" and 0.96" models. All it needs is a 9 Volt battery (not supplied) to get going. You should be able to put together a complete video package including a security camera, power supply, cables and connectors, an eyepiece adapter, and a small portable television for around $300. Optionally, you can pick up a video eyepiece for $60 plus shipping and use your own portable TV. If you're looking for a new way to use your telescope video astronomy might be it. You can always move up to a more advanced model later with sophisticated electronics for viewing faint objects. I have one that I use for observing clusters of distant galaxies, star clusters in other galaxies, and faint asteroids. As with most areas of astronomy the sky's the limit. Let your imagination and what interests you be your guide.