{"product_id":"mars-m-ii-usb3-0-mono-camera-imx462","title":"Mars-M II USB3.0 Mono Camera (IMX462)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Player One Mars-M II is a compact USB3.0 monochrome camera built around the Sony IMX462 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. As a mono camera it reads every pixel at full resolution with no Bayer filter, giving sharper, more sensitive results than a colour sensor of the same size — the standard approach for serious planetary imagers who capture through separate red, green, blue and IR filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1\/2.8\" sensor provides 2.1 megapixels (1944×1096) with 2.9µm pixels across a 6.5 mm diagonal. Read noise drops to about 0.7 e⁻ at higher gain, the ADC is 12-bit, and peak QE reaches roughly 91%. The IMX462's strong near-infrared response makes it particularly effective for IR planetary imaging and, with the right solar filtration, for high-contrast solar detail. Over USB3.0 it captures up to 136 FPS in Raw8 and 62.5 FPS in Raw16 at full resolution.\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 Moon, planets and Sun and want the extra resolution and sensitivity of a monochrome sensor, and are set up to shoot through filters. It also makes a sensitive autoguider through its ST4 port.\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 IMX462 monochrome sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e full-resolution mono readout with strong near-IR response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh frame rates:\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 136 FPS (Raw8) and 62.5 FPS (Raw16) at full 1944×1096 resolution.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow read noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to about 0.7 e⁻ at higher gain, with an HCG mode engaging at gain ≥80.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps high-speed data transfer stable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eST4 autoguide port:\u003c\/strong\u003e lets it double as a guide camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtective window:\u003c\/strong\u003e D21×1.1 mm with Super AR Plus multi-layer anti-reflection coating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mars-M II uses a rolling-shutter monochrome CMOS with 2.9µm pixels. Because there is no colour filter array, each pixel captures the full light passed by whatever filter is in the train, which is why mono cameras resolve finer planetary detail than colour equivalents. The sensor sits at a 12.5 mm back focal distance, and the 66 mm body threads accept 1.25\" and M42×0.75 (T-thread) adapters. Exposures run 32µs to 2000 s. The published weight is 180 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-resolution LRGB and IR planetary imaging through a filter wheel or manual filters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonochrome lunar imaging behind a Barlow or long-focal-length scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolar imaging with suitable solar filtration or a dedicated solar scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutoguiding through the ST4 port.\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 1.25\" nosepiece or M42×0.75 threads and works with any telescope providing those interfaces. To use its mono resolution for colour planetary work you add filters — typically a filter wheel with R, G, B and IR-pass filters. Planetary imaging usually adds a Barlow or telecentric to reach f\/15–f\/25. Capture is over USB3.0, and the ST4 port accepts a standard autoguide cable.\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\u003eMonochrome output:\u003c\/strong\u003e for colour planetary results you image through separate filters and combine them; the camera itself records greyscale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e this uncooled small-sensor camera is optimized for the Moon, planets and Sun, not long-exposure deep-sky imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB3.0 for full frame rates:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB2.0 works but caps throughput.\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 connection, installs its driver, and appears in your capture software. Working in mono adds filters to the train, which is a straightforward addition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-resolution monochrome and filtered planetary, lunar and solar imaging, plus autoguiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy choose mono over the colour Mars-C II?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA monochrome sensor resolves finer detail and is more sensitive because it has no Bayer filter; the trade is that colour work requires imaging through separate filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it for deep-sky astrophotography?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not intended for long-exposure deep-sky imaging; it is built for bright solar-system targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it autoguide?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, through its ST4 port with a suitable guide scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a sensitive, near-IR-capable 1\/2.8\" monochrome planetary camera that delivers full-resolution detail on the Moon, planets and Sun through filters, and doubles as an autoguider on standard 1.25\" and M42 threads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013908951151,"sku":"MARS-M II","price":348.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Mars-M-II-logo-s-1__51064.png?v=1766566185","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/mars-m-ii-usb3-0-mono-camera-imx462","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}