After nearly 20 years and several
attempts, Optec has developed a new Near-IR photometer for medium
to large size telescopes. Relatively new InGaAs PIN photodiodes designed
for the fiber optics communication market have reached very high performance
levels compared to the IR detectors of earlier times. It is now possible
to design and build an IR photometer, which allows a great many stars
to be observed accurately in the J (1250nm) and H (1650nm) photometric
bands. Using custom J-band and H-band filters the SSP-4 allows amateur
astronomers with 10-inch and larger telescopes to perform a
level of scientific measurement unheard of just a few years ago.
The InGaAs PIN photodiode is the heart of the SSP-4 and is manufactured
by Hamamatsu Corp. The series G5851-13 with a 1mm detector diameter is
mounted in the instrument. The 1mm detector is the recomended
choice by the SSP-4 users group affiliated with the AAVSO. The
complete specifications for thi detectors can be found in the
manual or by clicking
here to visit the Hamamatsu web
site.
This level of instrumentation requires a large telescope
with excellent tracking ability to fully appreciate the performance
of the SSP-4. The SSP-4 can be used manually with input
control via the two button interface or with the supplied control
program, SSP4Dataq. The SSP4Dataq program can operate the instrument
and record the data to a PC but it has no provisions for data
reduction. This may change so check the Optec software update area
often.
The AAVSO has assisted Optec in the development of this
instrument and they have an active users group and much information
concerning data reduction and program stars. Click
here
to go to the AAVSO SSP-4 web site.
