Mouse Cam – Connectix QuickCam Mods

I finally managed to track down a used Connectix black and white webcam on E-bay, and after a few weeks I was testing and tweaking to my heart’s content.

I quickly realized I was going to need some sort of case to put this thing in so it would attach to the scope more easily.

After rummaging around some old computer equipment at the office I came across an old broken IBM PS/2 mouse. Hey, the dimensions were right… It is really light, the hole at the bottom seemed the right size… Well why the heck not??

Converting a WebCam for Astrophotography

Modern webcams are very good at capturing images of the moon and planets as those targets are quite bright. You no longer need a super-sensitive (and expensive) astro camera to get decent planetary images. A modified webcam is a relatively inexpensive, and fun way to get a start in astrophotography.

The method described here works for most “ball” cameras. Mainly for the old Connectix (now Logitech), and QuickCam VC type.