Explore Scientific 4K Deep Sky Color Astro Camera & Guider 8.3 MP

EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC 4K DEEP SKY Color Astro Camera & Guider 8.3 MP II

Enter the world of astrophotography now with the Explore Scientific 4k Deep Sky Astro Camera with ST-4 autoguider function.
Equipped with the highly sensitive SONY IMX585 Exmor CMOS color sensor, this astronomy camera delivers amazing image results with extremely short exposure times, even with simple telescope equipment. This modern camera can also be used as an autoguider, e.g. to actively track the main imaging device with an SLR or CCD astro camera. An all-round camera that delivers super-sharp and high-resolution planetary images. The high 4K resolution of 3840x2160 pixels guarantees the best possible image results.

Sensor
The secret of the high light sensitivity lies in the back-illuminated Exmor CMOS sensor from SONY. This increases the quantum efficiency to up to 77% at 533 nm, which means an extremely high light yield and therefore provides particularly bright and high-contrast photos. In addition, the particularly low noise level of this new chip generation from SONY ensures exceptionally high brilliance and no active cooling is required. Nevertheless, this astro camera has an elaborate internal aluminum structure for heat dissipation and a software-switchable fan. The high native pixel resolution of 3840x2160 in combination with suitable telescopes makes it possible to take beautiful overview images of the moon as well as detailed planetary images.

Solar photography
This camera is also highly recommended for solar photography. Especially the Lunt LS40 THa solar telescopes with short focal length together with this planetary camera with large sensor allow great overview images of the sun.
Important note: Always use a suitable solar filter or a special solar telescope when observing and photographing the sun. Otherwise there is a risk of immediate blindness or damage to the camera.

Software
The Explore Capture software included with the Astro camera not only offers the basic functions required for image and video capture, but also many helpful special functions for image post-processing and setting up the guide. Functions such as live image display, exposure settings, white balance, dark frame subtraction, stacking, timelapse recordings and much more can be individually configured. This software in particular makes it easy for you to get started with astrophotography. With the automatic settings, you can produce absolutely presentable results without much prior knowledge. If you want, you can simply switch off the automatic settings and gradually venture into the individual settings.

Automatic guiding control
Connect the camera directly to the ST4 connection of your telescope mount and you have fully automatic tracking control. This means that long exposures of several minutes are possible without the stars producing unwanted line trails due to the constant synchronization fluctuations of a telescope mount. A corresponding ST-4 connection cable is even included with the camera. Due to the high light sensitivity of the camera, you will always find a suitable guide star even with very short exposure times.

Connections
The camera has a 1.25" receptacle with 1.25" filter thread (M28.5x0.6) and a large T2 connection thread (M42x0.75) directly on the housing for connecting to telescopes, guide scopes or off-axis guiders.


NOTES:

This is not a stand-alone camera. A computer with Windows 10 or 11 is required for both photography and autoguiding.

The autoguider software is not included in the scope of delivery. PHD2 Guiding, GuideDog, Metaguide, Guidemaster (freeware) or AstroArt, MaxIm DL (for a fee) can be used.

Download: PHD2

Download: Guide Dog

Download: Camera software and driver

Sample photos created by Lóránd Fényes in Hungary:
Sample photos (1)
Sample photos (2)
Sample photos (3)

Safety informations: PDF Download