Apollo 428M MAX

Player One Apollo 428M MAX - IMX428 Solar Camera

Visit Apollo 428M MAX from Player One Astronomy is a high-performance solar camera designed around the sensor Sony IMX428 monochrome format 1.1″. Thanks to its 4.5 µm, and technology global shutter, It is a particularly high-performance solution for high-resolution solar imaging, prominence observation and even imaging of the International Space Station.

Sony IMX428 sensor - high solar resolution

• Monochrome sensor Sony IMX428
• Sensor format : 1.1″
• Resolution: 3216 × 2208 (7.1 MP)
• Diagonal : 17.5 mm
• Pixel size : 4.5 µm
• Load well : 25.3 ke-

This sensor offers an almost twice the size of the famous IMX174, This allows for wider fields and more efficient solar mosaics.

Sony Pregius technology - Global Shutter

The IMX428 sensor belongs to the 3rd generation Sony Pregius and uses a global shutter, eliminating rolling shutter distortion.

• Overall exposure for sharp images
• Ideal for fast solar imaging
• Adapted to imaging on the International Space Station
• Excellent stability on fast-moving objects

Versatile BIN modes

The 4.5 µm sensor can operate in the BIN2 to simulate 9 µm, offering increased sensitivity and a quadrupled load well.

• MONO8 hardware BIN2 : load wells up to 100 ke-, 10-bit ADC, up to 135 FPS
• MONO16 hardware BIN2 : load wells up to 100 ke-, 12-bit ADC, up to 109 FPS
• MONO16 software BIN2 : depth to 14 bits, approximately 27 FPS

These modes enable the camera to be adapted to both high-resolution imaging and long focal length configurations.

HCG mode and low reading noise

The camera features a HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode which activates automatically when the gain exceeds 70.

• Reading noise reduced to 2.4 e- in HCG
• Up to 1.4 e- at gain 450
• Extended dynamics up to 12 stops

Perfectly smooth images - no banding

A frequent problem in solar imaging is the presence of horizontal banding. Tests with IMX428 sensors show particularly smooth images, with no visible banding.

• No annoying horizontal banding
• Homogeneous images
• Simplified post-processing

Passive cooling system (PCS)

Solar imaging is carried out in daylight, when temperatures can become very high. The camera incorporates a Passive Cooling System which efficiently dissipates heat from the sensor.

• Reduced sensor temperature
• Improved thermal stability
• Better image quality during the day

It can be combined with ACS (Active Cooling System) for even greater thermal control.

256 MB DDR3 cache

The camera features a built-in buffer memory 256 MB DDR3 for stable data transmission.

• Reduced image loss
• More reliable transmission
• Works even with slower USB ports

Player One advanced technologies

• DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) to automatically correct defective pixels
• Protection overvoltage and overcurrent
• Sensor tilt adjustment (Tilt Plate) to reduce the risk of Newton Rings

Performance and connectivity

• Interface USB3.0
• Up to 51 FPS in RAW8 (10-bit)
• Up to 27 FPS in RAW16 (12-bit)
• Port ST4 for self-steering

To take full advantage of the camera's performance, the use of a Fast SSD is recommended.

Key features

A reference solar camera

Thanks to its large sensor, Pregius global shutter technology and perfectly clean, banding-free images, the Player One Apollo 428M MAX has established itself as a particularly high-performance camera for H-alpha solar imaging and demanding planetary applications.