Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory

SGO emCCD Instrumentation and data


The SGO emCCD imager is all sky camera based on the Andor XU-888 emCCD imager with filter wheel with 8 positions built by KeoKonsulting Ltg, Canada. The camera was purchased in 2007. First the camera was operated from 2007 to 2012 parallel to SGO iCCD camera. From 2013 onwards the camera has been operated at Abisko, where it has better overlapping with the identical FMI imager. The cameras are run in bistatic mode and special campaigns can be requested.

Overview of emCCD data set is presented as keograms and time-lapse movies, which are available online in the SGO data archive.

The emCCD camera are part of the MIRACLE network, running the MIRACLE sequences:

  • the green filter (557nm) at 00,05,10,20,25,30,40,45,55
  • the red filter (630nm) at 15, 35
  • the blue filter (428nm) at 00,05,25,40,45,55
  • unfiltered "white image" at 35
  • dark image for noise calibration at 50
  • background filters for RBG once per minute
When, multiple filters have same nominal time the images are taken after each other.
The gain of the EMCCD camera is changed according to Moon phase.
Special bistatic campaigns with FMI imager at Kilpisjärvi can be requested.

SGO emCCD imager are calibrated in FMI calibration laboratory annual base expect year 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions


Last modified: 02 November 2021, 14:11:47.

Data privacy notice