{"product_id":"apollo-m-max-pro-usb3-0-mono-camera","title":"Apollo-M MAX Pro USB3.0 Mono Camera","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Player One Astronomy Apollo-M MAX Pro is a cooled monochrome USB3.0 camera built around the 1.7-megapixel Sony IMX432 global-shutter CMOS sensor. Its 9 µm pixels sit on a 1.1″ sensor (17.5 mm diagonal, 14.5 mm × 9.9 mm imaging area) and pair with a deep 100 ke- full-well capacity, so bright targets hold their highlights instead of clipping. Read noise falls from 22.9e- at gain 0 to 2.6e- at high gain, and the sensor reads out at up to 126 fps in RAW8. A two-stage TEC cools the chip 35°C–40°C below ambient to keep dark current low on longer captures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it uses a global shutter, every pixel starts and ends its exposure at the same instant — fast-changing solar and planetary detail is recorded without the geometric skew a rolling shutter can introduce during high-speed capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you image the Sun in H-alpha or white light, capture high-resolution lunar and planetary detail, or run lucky-imaging sessions where thousands of short frames are stacked. The large 9 µm pixels and global shutter suit long focal lengths and Daystar Quark-style solar setups. It is a dedicated imaging camera, so it is not intended for eyepiece observing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX432 global-shutter mono sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1608 × 1104 resolution with 9 µm pixels for high signal capacity and clean, distortion-free frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100 ke- full-well capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e holds highlight detail on bright solar and lunar features before saturation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead noise 22.9e- to 2.6e-:\u003c\/strong\u003e low high-gain noise for short, fast exposures in lucky imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUp to 126 fps (RAW8), 12-bit ADC:\u003c\/strong\u003e high frame rates let you capture more usable frames through moments of steady seeing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-stage TEC cooling, 35°C–40°C below ambient:\u003c\/strong\u003e suppresses dark current for longer or repeated captures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e512 MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e stabilizes the USB3.0 data stream to reduce dropped frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IMX432 is a 1.1″-format global-shutter CMOS with a peak quantum efficiency of about 79%. Combined with the 100 ke- full well and 12-bit readout, it favours dynamic range and frame rate over sheer pixel count — the profile that suits solar and planetary imaging. A D32 × 2 mm AR Plus multi-layer coated protective window sits in front of the sensor, and cooling brings dark current to 0.3 e\/s\/pixel at -20°C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/IMX432_ef88ed52-0e53-42cc-b10d-153ba6962002.jpg?v=1784235783\" alt=\"Player One Astronomy Apollo-M MAX Pro IMX432 quantum efficiency QE curve for monochrome solar and planetary imaging\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolar imaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e H-alpha and white-light disc and close-up work, including with a Daystar Quark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLunar and planetary:\u003c\/strong\u003e high-frame-rate capture for stacking the sharpest frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCooled short-exposure work:\u003c\/strong\u003e where low dark current improves stacked results.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility \u0026amp; Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe camera connects through USB3.0\/USB2.0 (Type-C) and powers from a 12 V DC 5.5 × 2.1 mm input (up to 3 A). The nose and adapters use a 1.25″ fit and M42 × 0.75 threads, and the sensor sits at a 17.5 mm back focal distance from the front face. Account for that 17.5 mm when planning spacing to a filter, Barlow, or telecentric such as a Daystar Quark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-COOLED-BFL_56466298-359e-4a83-82be-a8768db10d39.jpg?v=1784235783\" alt=\"Player One Astronomy Apollo-M MAX Pro 17.5mm back focal length and thread interface diagram for imaging trains\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is an imaging camera, not a visual eyepiece:\u003c\/strong\u003e it produces images through a computer and has no application in a visual train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCooling needs 12 V power:\u003c\/strong\u003e the TEC runs from the 12 V DC input, so plan a suitable supply alongside the USB data connection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing matters at the sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 17.5 mm back focus is the figure to work from when adding filters or a telecentric — send us your setup and we will confirm the spacing with you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It threads onto a 1.25″ or M42 interface, connects over a single USB3.0 Type-C cable for data, and takes 12 V DC for cooling. Once your capture software recognizes it, exposure and gain are set on screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-frame-rate solar and planetary imaging. The global shutter and 9 µm pixels make it well suited to H-alpha solar work and lunar\/planetary lucky imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy a global shutter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA global shutter exposes all pixels simultaneously, so rapidly changing detail is captured without the skew a rolling shutter can add during fast capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it with a Daystar Quark?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Its 1.25″\/M42 interface and 17.5 mm back focus fit Quark-style H-alpha imaging; confirm total spacing for your specific train.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a cooled, global-shutter mono camera on the 1.7 MP Sony IMX432, built for high-frame-rate solar and planetary imaging with 9 µm pixels, a 100 ke- full well, and 35°C–40°C of cooling below ambient. Give it 12 V power and a USB3.0 connection and it captures clean, fast frames for stacking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Player One Phoenix Wheel 8x1.25","offer_id":44014021443695,"sku":"Apollo-M Max Pro","price":1118.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-M-MAX-PRO-2__94321.png?v=1766567686","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/apollo-m-max-pro-usb3-0-mono-camera","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}