{"product_id":"apollo-m-max-usb3-0-mono-camera-imx432","title":"Apollo-M MAX USB3.0 Mono Camera (IMX432)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Player One Astronomy Apollo-M MAX is a high-speed monochrome camera built for solar and planetary imaging around Sony's large 1.1″ IMX432 global-shutter CMOS sensor. Its 1.7-megapixel array (1608×1104) uses very large 9µm pixels across a 17.5mm diagonal, which gathers a great deal of light per pixel and, combined with a deep 100ke full-well capacity, gives you the dynamic range to hold both bright solar surface detail and fainter features in the same run. A 256MB DDR3 buffer sustains up to 126 fps in 12-bit mode over USB 3.0.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis camera suits solar and planetary imagers who want a larger sensor and wide dynamic range for full-disk and high-resolution solar work, along with lunar and planetary lucky imaging. Its global shutter reads the entire frame at one instant, which appeals to imagers capturing fast, structured detail where rolling-shutter skew would distort the result. Being monochrome, it works hand in hand with narrowband solar filters and accessories such as a Daystar Quark. It is a capture camera for astrophotography, not a visual eyepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX432 mono global-shutter sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e a large 1.1″ CMOS chip with 9µm pixels and a peak quantum efficiency of ≈79%, well matched to the coarse image scale of solar and planetary work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100ke full-well capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e a deep well that resists saturation on the bright solar disk and gives smooth tonal range in a single exposure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal shutter:\u003c\/strong\u003e the whole frame is exposed and read at once, eliminating the rolling-shutter distortion that can smear fast-moving or turbulent detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUp to 126 fps:\u003c\/strong\u003e at full 1608×1104 resolution in 12-bit mode, with higher rates at reduced ROI (up to 268 fps at 640×480) for long lucky-imaging runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead noise 2.6e to 22.9e:\u003c\/strong\u003e dropping to 2.6e at higher gain to protect faint contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256MB DDR3 buffer and built-in ST4 port:\u003c\/strong\u003e for a stable high-speed data stream and optional autoguiding duty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical\/Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo-M MAX shares Player One's compact 66mm-diameter body and 12.5mm back focal distance, so it reaches focus in the same 1.25″ imaging trains as the rest of the range. Its sensor sits behind a D32×2mm AR-coated (anti-reflection, multi-layer) protective window to suppress reflections on the bright solar disk. Key optical and mechanical figures:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sony IMX432, 1.1″ mono CMOS, global shutter, 14.5mm×9.9mm imaging area, 17.5mm diagonal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.6e–22.9e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull well:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100ke.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrame rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 126 fps at full resolution (12-bit).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBack focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.5mm to the sensor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConnection:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.25″ nosepiece and M42×0.75 threads; USB 3.0 \/ USB 2.0 interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-disk and high-resolution solar imaging in white light or narrowband with an appropriate solar filter or energy-rejection filter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLunar and planetary lucky imaging where a deep full well and global shutter help capture clean, high-contrast frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutoguiding through the built-in ST4 port when paired with a separate main imaging camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility \u0026amp; Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo-M MAX connects through its 1.25″ nosepiece or M42×0.75 female thread and drops into most Daystar Quark, dedicated solar scope, and standard telescope imaging trains. Its 12.5mm back focus matches Player One's other planetary cameras, keeping spacing predictable when you add filters or a Barlow. Note that its 17.5mm sensor diagonal is larger than a 1.25″ clear aperture, so plan your imaging train and filters to fully illuminate the chip. An optional Active Cooling System (ACS) is available for longer captures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a monochrome camera; it records a single channel for maximum resolution and sensitivity and does not produce color on its own, which requires filters and channel combination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 17.5mm sensor diagonal exceeds the clear aperture of a 1.25″ barrel, so a 2″ or dedicated imaging train gives you the full illuminated field.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt is a computer-connected capture device with no onboard storage or screen; sustained frame rates rely on a USB 3.0 port.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e Setup is straightforward: the camera threads or slides into your imaging train, connects by USB 3.0, and is recognized by common capture programs (such as SharpCap or the vendor's own software) through standard drivers. Most of your effort goes into focusing and setting gain and exposure rather than into assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy choose the MAX over a smaller Apollo-M model?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its large 1.1″ sensor and 9µm pixels with a 100ke full well give a wider field and more dynamic range, which is useful for full-disk solar framing and for holding highlight detail on the bright solar surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the global shutter do for me?\u003c\/strong\u003e It exposes and reads the whole frame at the same instant, so fast or turbulent detail is not sheared the way it can be with a rolling shutter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it autoguide?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The built-in ST4 port lets it send guide corrections to a compatible mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Apollo-M MAX brings a large, sensitive IMX432 global-shutter monochrome sensor with a deep 100ke full well to solar and planetary imaging, giving you wide dynamic range and distortion-free frames at high speed. Its 12.5mm back focus and 1.25″\/M42 connections keep it compatible with imaging trains you likely already own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013716897903,"sku":"Apollo-M-Max","price":838.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Apollo-M-MAX-2-1-600x600__80453.jpg?v=1766560501","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/apollo-m-max-usb3-0-mono-camera-imx432","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}