Operational testing of the SBIG ST-6 CCD camera

The SBIG Model ST-6 CCD Imaging Camera was tested and found suitable for various kinds of astronomical observations on telescopes with apertures from 6 mm to 0.6 m. We discuss different noise sources, linearity, sensitivity, and other detector characteristics. Limits, which they set to the observations and accuracy of data evaluation process, are also discussed. Detection, accurate astrometry, and VR photometry limiting magnitudes are about 21, 20, and 17.5, respectively, with the 0.6-m telescope and 10-min integration time. Detection of 5th magnitude 1-second optical transients is possible with the 6-mm wide-field lens.