According to a memorandum between National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and Nihon-Housou-Kyoukai, the copyright of the images belongs to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

The observation camera uses a color-resolved prism to divide lights in three colors, R (red), G (green) and B (blue), then, it receives optics by three CCDs, and film these images.

In order to bring along it’s sensitivity, the camera is equipped with an Image Intensifier (I.I.), for each of these three colors to amplify strength of light about 3000 times. Moreover, it refrigerates CCD and changes methods of the image signals readout. These devices make it possible for the camera to take a longer exposure time approximately 4 to 5 seconds. As a result of these devices, it is able to show the ultra-high sensitivity that is 360 thousand times more than a regular high sensitivity camera. In order to take wide images, the camera mounts a reducer lens, which takes in a focal length 0.23 times in the front of the camera.

For the reason of this construction, when the camera is attached to the Subaru Telescope and images are taken of celestial objects, the exposure time reaches a marginal magnitude of 21 by using a standard video rate (1/60), so that, the camera is able to get lovely colored images. On the other hand, this complex optical system has a large numbers of lenses and prisms, which makes dim images, which is caused by optical blur, disperse and diffraction. Likewise, it is very difficult to coordinate united optical axis of RGB three colors.

As reasons above, images of this filming has an inferior resolution, for example, some parts of the distorted images and chromatic aberrations shows the inferior resolution. Please understand that this system does not fulfill the function of Subaru Telescope perfectly. However, it provides a fine structure and highly colorful images which small aperture telescopes are not able to provide. These images are offered for publicity and educational uses.