ZWO ASI678MC Color USB3.0 Astro Camera - Sensor D= 8.86 mm, 2.0 µm Pixel Size

The camera offers a very high resolution and can be used for lunar and planetary photography, EAA and also for deep sky astrophotography.

♦ Sensor: 1/1.8" CMOS IMX678 with 8.29 megapixels resolution

♦ Sensor size: 7.68 mm x 4.32 mm - diagonal: 8.86 mm

♦ Extremely high resolution: 2.0 µm pixel size

♦ SONY STARVIS 2 technology - back illuminated pixel technology

♦ With approx. 83% QE a high sensitivity for short exposure times

♦ USB 3.0 for fast download of images

♦ Very low readout noise (from 0.6 e-)

♦ Well suited for EAA due to high frame rate of 47.5 fps

♦ 12 bit ADC

♦ No more amp glow detectable

♦ Passive cooling with heat dissipation against heating of the sensor during long time exposures

♦ Good suitability for deep sky imaging

♦ Rich field lens (removable) included in scope of delivery

♦ AR protection filter built in with full transmission also in infrared

♦ ST4-level autoguiding interface included


 

ZWO ASI678MC Color USB3.0 Astro Camera with passive Air-Cooling - Sensor D= 8.86 mm

This camera is equipped with a modern 1/1.8" sensor with 3840*2160 pixels. In addition to the modern Starvis-2 technology (back-illumination), the IMX678 offers an extremely smooth image without amplifier glow (Amp-Glow), but convinces especially with the extremely high resolution (2.0 µm pixels) and the high frame rate. We recommend the camera among others for:

♦ Detailed planetary photography
♦ Lunar surface details
♦ Sun details (with suitable filter)
♦ Photography of (small) brighter nebulae and star clusters without power consuming cooling - exposure time up to 2000 seconds is possible
♦ Infrared photography to reduce the influence of seeing, thus sharper luminance channel
♦ Autoguiding camera (autoguiding port is available)
♦ EAA (electronically assisted astronomy) for planets, moon and sun
 

Lunar and planetary photography

Due to the fine 2.0 µm pixels, you achieve a very high resolution already from f/7, which makes the use of Barlow and converter systems unnecessary.
 

EAA (electronically assisted astronomy)

The extremely high resolution, combined with a high frame rate of 47.5 fps at full resolution (RAW8 format), allows real-time observation of planets as well as details on the moon and sun. Why not observe together in a group - without long waiting for everyone´s turn!
 

Use as autoguider:

The ASI6678MC is a lightweight with only 126 grams. It hardly loads the focuser. Of course, the camera offers the ST-4 autoguiding interface. A 2 metres long autoguiding cable is also included.
 

AR-coated clear glass filter protects the sensor from dust

The clear glass filter prevents dust from getting to the sensor. It also lets UV and infrared through, so you can also do infrared photography with the camera. You have full control over what light hits the sensor with the right choice of contrast filters, nebula filters, IR pass filters, or UV/IR blocking filters.
 

Air cooling - reduces sensor temperature

The sensor heats up during the exposures. The PCS dissipates heat from the sensor via a heat conducting pad. The sensor temperature is thus reduced by up to 15 degrees Celsius compared to cameras without PCS.
 

Very high sensitivity for short exposure times

One advantage of the back-illuminated CMOS sensor is the lower readout noise and improved sensitivity. In particular, Sony uses STARVIS™-2 technology in the IMX678 sensor, which provides excellent low-light visibility. You can achieve a very high light output in astro imaging and realize high image quality not only in visible light, but also in the near infrared range (to reduce seeing). In addition, the low readout noise ensures a higher dynamic range.

The ASI678MC is not only ideal for planetary and detailed images of the Sun and Moon but can also be used as a live streaming camera or as an all-sky camera for observing or monitoring weather conditions.

The low noise and anti-ampglow circuitry make this not! Peltier-cooled camera interesting for capturing deep-sky objects such as faint nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.
 

The HCG mode:

The camera has a built-in HCG mode that can effectively reduce readout noise at high gain and maintain the same wide dynamic range you would expect at low gain. When the gain is 182, the HCG mode automatically turns on. This results in the readout noise below 1.1 e- while the dynamic range can still reach about 12 f-stops.


 

Sensor:	Sony 1/1.8" CMOS IMX678AAQR1-C color sensor
Resolution:	3840*2160 pixels, 8.29 megapixels
Pixel size:	2.0 µm
Sensor size:	7.68 mm x 4.32 mm
Diagonal:	8.86 mm (1/1.8")
Recording speed:	up to 47.5 fps at 10 bit
Exposure time:	from 32 µs - 2000 s
ROI:	Supported
ST4 autoguider port:	Yes
Distance from T2 thread to sensor:	12.5 mm
Shutter type:	Rolling shutter
Protection window:	AR coated, full IR transmission
Connector:	USB3.0/USB2.0
QE:	~83%
Full well:	11.27 ke-
Anti amp glow circuit:	Yes
Readout noise:	2.7 e- to 0.6 e-
Bit resolution:	12 bit ADC
Telescope connection:	M42X0.75 / 2" / 1.25" (via adapter)
Tripod thread:	1/4" at the rear side
Dimensions:	⌀ 62 mm x 37.1 mm (without lens)
Weight:	126 g
Working temperature:	-5 °C to +50 °C
System requirements:	USB 3.0 should be supported by the operating system - Windows 8 and above, Mac OS X 10.8, Linux kernel 2.6.31 (Ubuntu 16.04 and above)
Weight:	126 g

In the box:
♦ ASI camera
♦ Adapter T2 (M42x0.75) on 1.25"
♦ 1.25" cover
♦ Adapter T2 to CS mount (mounted)
♦ Wide field lens (mounted)
♦ USB 3.0 cable
♦ ST4 cable
♦ Quick Start Guide