{"product_id":"apollo-428m-max-pro-usb3-0-mono-cooled-camera","title":"Apollo 428M MAX Pro USB3.0 Mono Cooled Camera","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo 428M MAX Pro is a cooled monochrome astronomy camera from Player One Astronomy, built around Sony's 1.1\" IMX428 global-shutter CMOS sensor. It combines a 7.1-megapixel array (3216×2208, 4.5 µm pixels, 17.5 mm diagonal) with two-stage TEC cooling that holds the sensor 35–40 °C below ambient in long-exposure mode. Because it reads every pixel at once, the global shutter captures fast, high-contrast subjects — the solar limb, planetary detail — with no rolling-shutter skew.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you image the Sun in monochrome (Ha, white-light, Ca-K through the appropriate filters), work on high-frame-rate planetary and lunar targets, or want a global-shutter sensor with active cooling for cleaner, lower-noise long exposures. It suits users who already run a filtered monochrome workflow and want the frame integrity a global shutter provides.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX428 global-shutter CMOS:\u003c\/strong\u003e every pixel is exposed and read simultaneously, so there is no geometric distortion on moving or rapidly changing subjects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7.1 MP resolution:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3216×2208 pixels at 4.5 µm on a 1.1\" (17.5 mm diagonal) sensor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-stage TEC cooling:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35–40 °C below ambient in long-exposure mode (30 °C in video mode), lowering dark current for stacked deep-sky frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow read noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5 e− down to 1.4 e− at high gain, with a 25.3k e− full-well capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e512 MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e stabilises the USB3.0 data stream and reduces dropped frames during high-speed capture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAR-coated protective window:\u003c\/strong\u003e D32×2 mm multi-layer anti-reflection glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe IMX428 is a 1.1\" global-shutter monochrome CMOS with 4.5 µm pixels across a 14.5 mm×9.9 mm active area. Full-well capacity is 25.3k e− and read noise ranges from 5.5 e− to 1.4 e− depending on gain, digitised at 12-bit. Peak quantum efficiency is approximately 79%. At full resolution the camera reaches 51 fps in 10-bit (Raw8) mode and 27 fps at 12-bit over USB3.0. The sensor-to-flange backfocus is 17.5 mm, and the two-stage thermoelectric cooler holds the sensor 35–40 °C below ambient in long-exposure mode. The camera body is 78 mm in diameter and terminates in a 1.25\" \/ M42×0.75 interface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolar imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e monochrome capture through Ha, Ca-K or white-light filters, where the global shutter preserves fine surface structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanetary and lunar:\u003c\/strong\u003e high-frame-rate lucky imaging of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and the lunar surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCooled deep-sky:\u003c\/strong\u003e filtered narrowband and LRGB stacking that benefits from reduced thermal noise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe camera presents a 1.25\" nosepiece and an M42×0.75 (T-thread) rear, and needs 17.5 mm of backfocus accounted for in the imaging train. Data is over USB3.0 (backward compatible with USB2.0). Cooling draws up to 3 A, so a 12 V DC supply rated to at least 5 A is used to run the TEC. As a monochrome camera it images through external filters — a filter wheel or drawer and the relevant narrowband or LRGB set complete a colour or scientific workflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a monochrome camera:\u003c\/strong\u003e colour and narrowband results come from imaging through separate filters, so a filter wheel or drawer is part of a full imaging setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCooling needs its own power:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 12 V DC supply rated to 5 A or more runs the two-stage TEC; USB carries data only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 420 g:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough for most focusers, and worth noting once filters and adapters are added to the train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12-bit ADC:\u003c\/strong\u003e the sensor digitises at 12-bit, which suits both high-speed video and stacked long-exposure work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It threads on through its 1.25\" \/ M42×0.75 interface and connects over USB3.0; the only extra step versus a non-cooled camera is plugging in a 12 V, 5 A power supply to run the cooler.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMonochrome solar and planetary imaging where the global shutter matters, plus cooled, filtered deep-sky capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need filters?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes for colour or narrowband work — it is a mono sensor, so it images through Ha, Ca-K, LRGB or narrowband filters mounted in a wheel or drawer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it different from the non-cooled Apollo 428M MAX?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pro adds two-stage TEC cooling (35–40 °C below ambient) and a larger 512 MB buffer, extending the same IMX428 global-shutter sensor into low-noise long-exposure imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7.1 MP IMX428 global-shutter mono camera with two-stage cooling to 35–40 °C below ambient, a 1.25\"\/M42 interface and 17.5 mm backfocus — equally at home on the solar limb, on the planets, and on cooled narrowband deep-sky frames.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53834274111599,"sku":"Apollo 428M MAX Pro","price":1398.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-428M-MAX-PRO-1.png?v=1784239556","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/apollo-428m-max-pro-usb3-0-mono-cooled-camera","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}