GIOTTO Smart Flat Field Generator

Alto & Giotto require 5.5mm x 2.5mm DC barrel connector for power #PL1000044

GIOTTO is the smart flat field generator we designed to help you capture flat calibration frames for your astrophotography! Astrophotography results are greatly improved by image calibration that uses special calibration frames called flats, darks and bias. In particular, flat frames are recorded by pointing your telescope at a white surface and it allows to mitigate effect of vignetting and shadows created by dust on the optical system. And it seems like even Giotto, after completing his painting of Halley’s Comet in 1301, had the same problem we face today!

Description

In order to create an evenly illuminated surface, GIOTTO uses many LED lights with a color temperature similar to the light of the Sun, and a specially designed light diffuser. In order to power GIOTTO, you don't need a separate external power supply or battery pack, since it natively runs off of a 12V power source so it's easy to power together with your astrophotography telescope. GIOTTO is available in diameters from 120mm to 430mm - We can even produce larger diameters on request so you can find the one that best fits your telescope! Using GIOTTO is very simple: when you want to record your flat frames, you can simply attach GIOTTO to the front of your telescope by locking it in place with the included thumbscrews.

In the bottom part of GIOTTO you will find the control panel with USB-C port to let you easily connect it to your EAGLE or any standard Windows computer. It also comes with WiFi connectivity so you can wirelessly control it using your smartphone or tablet via the included Virtual HandPad! The integrated control electronics allow you adjust GIOTTO’s light intensity by 100 steps (0 to 100%). You will be able to control GIOTTO with the next release of PLAY astrophotography software allowing you to easily record calibration files for your astrophotography session and it will come also with a dedicated ASCOM driver to let you control it through third party astrophotography software.

If you want to automate the capture of your calibration files or if you're searching for the best way to remotely open and close your telescope, you can add the optional ALTO telescope cover motor and use GIOTTO as a remotely controlled motorized cap! We designed ALTO to be easily connected with our PLUS clamp to any Vixen or Losmandy style dovetail bar that is already present in many telescopes (like SCT, Aplanatic SCT, RCT, etc). If your telescope has a short bar (for example in refractors or newtonians) you can easily add a longer dovetail bar to let you clamp ALTO just above or below the front end of your tube! This design allows you to adjust GIOTTO and ALTO positions to allow an optimal opening and closing of your telescope.

GIOTTO panels are available in sizes of 120mm to 430mm, and larger diameter sizes and pricing are available upon request.