{"product_id":"neptune-c-usb3-0-color-camera-imx178","title":"Neptune-C USB3.0 Color Camera (IMX178)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Player One Neptune-C is a USB3.0 colour camera built around the 1\/1.8\" Sony IMX178 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. With 6.4 megapixels and small 2.4µm pixels it is a high-resolution planetary and lunar imager, and its larger sensor gives enough field to frame the full lunar or solar disc through a modest scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IMX178 provides a 3096×2078 array of 2.4µm pixels across a 9 mm diagonal. It uses a 14-bit ADC for smooth tonal gradation, read noise sits between about 2.2 and 1.3 e⁻, and peak QE is near 80%. A UV\/IR-cut protective window keeps colour rendition accurate. Over USB3.0 it captures up to 60 FPS in Raw8 and 30 FPS in Raw16 at full resolution; an HCG mode engages automatically above gain 30 to lower noise.\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 higher resolution and more field than a 1\/2.8\" chip. The fine 2.4µm pixels sample long focal lengths well, and the large frame suits full-disc lunar and solar work as well as all-sky monitoring. It also autoguides 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 IMX178 colour sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/1.8\" back-illuminated CMOS, 6.4 MP, for high-resolution solar-system imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine 2.4µm pixels:\u003c\/strong\u003e sample fine detail well at long focal lengths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e14-bit ADC:\u003c\/strong\u003e smooth tonal range for lunar and solar gradients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUV\/IR-cut window:\u003c\/strong\u003e D21×1.1 mm with anti-reflection multi-layer coating for accurate colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps high-speed transfer stable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eST4 autoguide port:\u003c\/strong\u003e doubles as a guide camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Neptune-C uses a rolling-shutter colour CMOS with an RGGB Bayer matrix. Its 15k e⁻ full-well and 14-bit ADC handle bright lunar and solar surfaces with smooth gradation. 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 lunar and planetary imaging behind a Barlow or long-focal-length scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-disc lunar and solar imaging (with suitable solar filtration) through shorter focal lengths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-sky and wide-field monitoring.\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 fits any telescope with those interfaces. Planetary work typically adds a Barlow or telecentric to reach f\/15–f\/25. Capture is over USB3.0 with common software, 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\u003eBuilt for speed, not long exposures:\u003c\/strong\u003e this uncooled camera is optimized for bright solar-system targets rather than faint deep-sky imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUV\/IR-cut window:\u003c\/strong\u003e the window blocks IR, so this model is set up for accurate visible-light colour rather than IR-pass 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-resolution lunar, planetary and solar imaging, plus all-sky monitoring and autoguiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from the Neptune-M?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Neptune-C is the colour version of the same IMX178 sensor; the Neptune-M is monochrome for higher resolution through 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 high-resolution 6.4 MP, 1\/1.8\" colour planetary camera with fine 2.4µm pixels and a 14-bit ADC, well suited to detailed lunar, planetary and solar imaging and usable as an autoguider on standard 1.25\" and M42 threads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013681016943,"sku":"Neptune-C","price":250.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Neptune-C-LOGO__39524.jpg?v=1766559577","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/neptune-c-usb3-0-color-camera-imx178","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}