Apollo-M MAX PRO

The Apollo-M MAX PRO camera from Player One Astronomy

Visit Apollo-M MAX PROdesigned by Player One Astronomyis a high-end cooled monochrome camera optimized for solar, lunar and planetary imaging. Equipped with a Sony IMX432 CMOS sensor, it boasts high sensitivity, precise resolution and an innovative design.

Main technical data

• Sony IMX432 CMOS sensor This 1.1" (14.5 mm x 9.9 mm) format sensor offers 1.7 megapixel resolution (1608 x 1104 pixels) with a 17.5 mm diagonal. The 9 µm pixel size guarantees exceptional sensitivity, ideal for long focal lengths and fine details.
• Full Well depth With an impressive 100 ke capacity, the camera captures high-dynamic images without saturation.
• 3rd generation Pregius technology Incorporates a global shutter to eliminate distortion caused by rapid movement, guaranteeing sharp, precise images.
• Advanced Peltier Cooling (TEC) The two-stage system allows a delta T of 35-40°C below ambient temperature, effectively reducing thermal noise for long exposures.
• Ultra-low reading noise In HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode, automatically activated from a gain ≥70, noise drops to just 2.4 e-, and down to 1.4 e- at high gain (450), offering superior image quality.

Imaging performance

• Fast acquisition rate Up to 126 FPS in RAW8 mode, ideal for capturing dynamic phenomena such as solar flares or lunar detail.
• Non-Amp-Glow Although the camera is not totally free of amp-glow, it is smooth and easy to calibrate. This poses no problem for solar or lunar imaging.
• Flexible BIN modes :
  • In hardware BIN2 mode (MONO8)100 ke, with 10-bit ADC depth and speeds of up to 135 FPS.
  • In software BIN2 mode (MONO16)with 14-bit depth, ideal for maximizing dynamics.

Technological advances

• Integrated DDR3 buffer memory (512 MB) USB 2.0: Stabilizes data transmission, reduces image loss and improves performance, even on a USB 2.0 port.
• Integrated anti-fog system A heater prevents condensation on the sensor during long imaging sessions in wet or cold conditions.
• Modern USB-C port Two USB-C ports facilitate connectivity and enable fast data transfer via USB3.0. A dedicated power port (12V DC) supplies the cooling system.

Ergonomic design

The innovative design of the Apollo-M MAX PRO includes :

• A lightweight carbon-fiber case (420 g)optimized to reduce weight while maintaining excellent thermal dissipation.
• Adjustable anti-tilt plate, front (3 points) or rear (4 points)This allows the sensor's parallelism to be precisely adjusted to guarantee perfect field flatness.
• An elegant gold and black finish which reflects Player One Astronomy's attention to detail.

Applications

The Apollo-M MAX PRO is ideal for :

• High-resolution solar imaging thanks to its large pixel size and wide field of view.
• Lunar observation in exceptional detail.
• Applications requiring a long focal ratio, such as use with Daystar or SCT filters.

Additional highlights

• Compatible with software such as SharpCap Pro for precise control of cooling parameters, gain or fan speed.
• Designed to work efficiently even with modest computer systems, thanks to its built-in DDR3 cache.

With its advanced technical features and optimized design, the Apollo-M MAX PRO is an essential choice for demanding astrophotographers who want to explore the smallest details of the Sun or Moon with precision and reliability.