{"product_id":"apollo-c-usb3-0-color-camera","title":"Apollo-C USB3.0 Color Camera","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo-C is a high-speed one-shot-color astronomy camera from Player One Astronomy, built on Sony's 1\/1.2\" IMX174 global-shutter CMOS sensor. Its large 5.86 µm pixels, 2.3-megapixel array (1936×1216, 13.3 mm diagonal) and global shutter make it a natural fit for solar work: the whole frame is exposed at once, and the camera streams up to 164 fps to freeze atmospheric seeing. It is passively cooled, with an optional Active Cooling System available.\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, Moon and planets in colour and want a fast global-shutter sensor with generous pixels — full-disk solar capture in a single colour stream, lucky imaging of the brighter planets, and detailed lunar work. The ST4 port also lets it serve as a colour all-rounder on a small scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX174 global-shutter CMOS (color):\u003c\/strong\u003e distortion-free frames on moving or fast-changing subjects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge 5.86 µm pixels:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep 24.8k e− full well and strong signal handling for high-contrast solar and planetary scenes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUp to 164 fps:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10-bit RAW8 readout at full resolution over USB3.0 for lucky imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne-shot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e RGGB Bayer matrix captures colour in a single exposure — no filter wheel required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256 MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e stabilises the high-speed stream.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eST4 guide port:\u003c\/strong\u003e usable as a guide or utility camera on a small refractor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe IMX174 is a 1\/1.2\" global-shutter colour CMOS with a RGGB matrix, 5.86 µm pixels across an 11.3 mm×7.1 mm active area. Full-well capacity is 24.8k e−, read noise ranges 6.3 e− to 3.5 e−, digitised at 12-bit, with peak QE near 77%. Full-resolution readout reaches 164 fps in 10-bit over USB3.0. Sensor-to-flange backfocus is 12.5 mm behind the AR-coated D32×2 mm window. The 66 mm body ends in a 1.25\" \/ M42×0.75 interface. Cooling is passive, with an optional Active Cooling System available separately.\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 full-disk and detailed colour capture behind a certified solar filter or dedicated solar scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanetary imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e high-frame-rate one-shot-color lucky imaging of the brighter planets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLunar imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e fast capture for sharp, low-artifact lunar mosaics.\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 M42×0.75 rear, with 12.5 mm of backfocus in the train. It runs over USB3.0 (backward compatible with USB2.0) and is powered from the USB connection alone. An ST4 port is provided. As a one-shot-color camera it needs no filter wheel; solar use still requires proper solar filtration (a certified filter or dedicated solar telescope). An optional Active Cooling System can be added for longer exposures.\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\u003eSolar imaging requires proper solar filtration:\u003c\/strong\u003e it is used behind a certified solar filter or a dedicated solar telescope, never at an unfiltered scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-cooled by default:\u003c\/strong\u003e passive cooling suits high-frame-rate work; an optional Active Cooling System extends it toward longer exposures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne-shot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e convenient single-exposure colour, at the 2.3 MP resolution of the IMX174.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 160 g:\u003c\/strong\u003e very light on the focuser.\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 interface and runs on a single USB3.0 cable — no external power for the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFast one-shot-color solar, lunar and planetary imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a filter wheel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — the Bayer sensor captures colour directly. Solar work still needs a proper solar filter or a solar telescope in front of the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it differ from the mono Apollo 428M MAX?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo-C is one-shot color on the IMX174 (larger pixels, faster readout, lower resolution); the 428M is a higher-resolution monochrome sensor imaged through filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 2.3 MP IMX174 global-shutter one-shot-color camera running to 164 fps — a fast, single-cable solar, lunar and planetary imager that captures colour without a filter wheel and accepts optional cooling as your work grows.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53834293706863,"sku":"Apollo-C","price":698.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-C-LOGOs-600x600.png?v=1784239840","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/apollo-c-usb3-0-color-camera","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}