Moravian C1P-3000 Mono CMOS camera and autoguider -- Sensor D=8.9 mm

C1+ Series CMOS Cameras

1+ camera models are designed to fulfill the gap between small and lightweight C1 models, intended as Moon and planetary cameras and auto-guiders, and C2 cameras, equipped with active sensor cooling and mechanical shutter and thus intended for more serious astronomical imaging and research. C1+ cameras are able to work as C1 ones, only being somewhat heavier and bulkier, and at the same time C1+ can replace the C2 models, only with slightly less cooling performance and lack of mechanical shutter.

C1+ camera head is designed to be as small and compact as a cooled camera with rich features and compatible with broad set of accessories can be. C1+ cameras are equipped with tiltable telescope interface and threaded holes for mounting on tripod or dovetail bar. They are also compatible with external filter wheels designed for larger C2 cameras - camera head contains connector to control filter wheel. If the external filter wheel is used, the tiltable mechanism on the camera head is inactive and tiltable adapters for external filter wheels are used instead. Therefore, C1+ cameras can utilize vast range of telescope and lens adapters including off-axis guider adapters.

C1+ Camera Models
C1+ camera models are equipped with Sony IMX global shutter CMOS detectors with 3.45 × 3.45 µm or 4.50 × 4.50 µm square pixels. Individual models differ in resolution only.
All used sensors utilize global electronic shutter. This means every pixel within the image is exposed in the same time, as opposed to rolling shutter sensors, which exposes individual lines one after another. There is no difference for long exposures of static objects, but imaging of moving objects using short exposure time using rolling shutter leads to image shape distortions.

Exposure control
C1+ cameras are capable of very short exposures. The shortest exposure time is 125 µs (1/8000 of second). This is also the step, by which the exposure time is expressed. So, the second shortest exposure is 250 µs etc.
Long exposure timing is controlled by the host PC and there is no upper limit on exposure time. In reality the longest exposures are limited by saturation of the sensor either by incoming light or by dark current.

Cooling and power supply
C1+ cameras can operate only with USB power. Camera is then capable to acquire images and to control (guide) telescope mount via autoguider port. However, active sensor cooling (as well as filter wheel operation) is available only if external 12 V DC power supply is connected.

Good storage is an important preventive measure against dew and also extends the service life

After use, put the camera straight into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel absorbs the moisture from the camera. At the same time, the penetration of moist room air is prevented. Dry storage can even partially regenerate the small desiccant tablets in cooled cameras. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimum condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.

The cameras are not airtight, so if the camera remains on the telescope, it is exposed to moisture. The small amount of desiccant in the camera can protect the sensor and the inside of the protective glass from moisture for the duration of the exposure, but not for days on end. Moisture problems can be the result. A simple trick is to stretch a plastic bag around the focuser to which the camera is attached so that no air can get in. Silica gel is placed in a small cloth bag inside the plastic bag. This will also create a "dry climate zone" for the camera on the telescope. This allows you to leave the camera on the telescope for a few days for an imaging session lasting several days.

In the medium and long term, however, this is no substitute for proper storage in an airtight case with silica gel.

Note: Some pictures show accessories which are not included in the scope of delivery.

Safety informations: PDF Download