QHY 168C Cooled Color Astronomy Camera

QHY 168C Cooled Color Astronomy Camera

Quick Overview

QHY168C cooled 16-Megapixel color astronomy camera with 14-bit ADC, ideal for serious deep-sky imaging
Sony IMX071 APS-C CMOS sensor with big 4.8um pixels in a 4952x3288 array produces true RAW-format images
Two-stage cooling keeps sensor temperature as much as 45C below ambient for low-noise imaging, even in warm conditions
Advanced AR coatings on sensor and camera window to greatly reduce halo around bright stars
128MB DDRII data buffer to minimize data dropouts during image transfer
Reduced amp-glow for superior imaging of faint objects

Product Details

1. Cooled Astronomy Camera for Deep-Sky Imaging

The QHY168C astronomy camera uses a 16-megapixel the Sony IMX071 APS-C color sensor, the same sensor used in Nikon D5100 cameras. With a 14-bit ADC, it also has 3.2e- read noise at lowest gain and 2.3e- read noise at unity gain. It also has a big dynamic range close to 14 stops. The APS-C sensor has an array of 6024x4024 pixels that are 3.9um in size. This advanced CMOS astrophotography camera is capable of 4K video output at 10fps and full resolution real time output at 3fps. This camera is an ideal instrument for serious deep-sky imagers who wish to capture wide-field and high-resolution views of astronomical objects.

2. True RAW Image Output

While the QHY168C has the same CMOS sensor as Nikon D5500 cameras, unlike the consumer cameras, the QHY168C offers True RAW Image output. In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW. Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection. However, the QHY168C offers TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs.

3. Two-Stage Cooling for Low Noise and Sealed Chamber to Keep Sensor Dry

The QHY168C monochrome camera comes with a two-stage TEC cooling and temperature control that cools the camera as low as -45C below ambient, which is ideal for warm and damp summer observing conditions. QHY has also built in anti-dew technology into the QHY183. The sensor chamber is sealed and incorporates a silicon gel tube socket and heater to help keep both the sensor and the sensor window dry.

The cooler requires +12VDC input (power supply not included).

4. Unique Thermal Noise Reduction Technology

In addition to efficient 2-stage thermoelectric cooling, QHYCCD employs a unique thermal noise control technology to reduce CMOS sensor noise to a very low value without affecting the integrity of the raw image. This proprietary technology can be found to improve noise performance across the whole 165/168/247/367 product line, producing much better noise reduction than any competing camera model.

5. Advanced AR coatings on Sensor and Optical Window

The IMX193 sensor has AR coatings on the CMOS sensor glass. It also has AR coating on the micro-lens array. This design greatly reduces the halo around bright stars.

In order to avoid halos around bright stars the QHY168C has an AR+AR coated optical window rather than the common IR cut window for other single-shot color cameras. This permits full access to the red wavelength of H-alpha and SII without attenuation by the window coating. For RGB color balance, without passing the near IR wavelengths above 700nm, a separate removable 2-inch UV/IR filter with the desirable passband characteristics is placed in a custom filter holder in front of the camera (filter not included).

6. Built-In Buffer for Reliable Data Transfer

The QHY168C has a built-in 128MB DDRII image buffer. The benefit of the image buffer is that the memory will cache the image and transfer it to the computer when the USB interface is not busy or being interrupted, and the frame will not be lost or corrupted. This buffer also allows a slower computer with USB 2.0 socket to capture every frame without loss even if the USB socket is occasionally busy with other peripherals. This buffer also helps multiple camera applications and avoids USB transfer problems. For example, it is possible to operate four QHY183 cameras on the same computer to create an LRGB imaging array.

7. Reduced Amp-Glow for Superior Deep-Sky Imaging

The QHY168C camera has a control circuit to reduce amplifier glow significantly, especially important for longer exposures of deep-sky objects at high gain.