Cameras

Altair 585M Mono TEC cooled camera

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Altair 585M Mono TEC Cooled camera offers versatile imaging for both solar system and deep-sky targets. Featuring a Sony Starvis 2 sensor, TEC cooling, and fast frame rates, it delivers high sensitivity and low noise for clear, detailed astrophotography.

Altair Astro has unveiled the Altair 585M Mono Cooled Camera, designed for amateur astronomers seeking a solution for both solar system and deep-sky imaging. Equipped with the latest Sony Starvis 2 back-illuminated sensor, this camera delivers high sensitivity, no amp glow, and a peak quantum efficiency of approximately 91%. The sensor offers enhanced dynamic range and improved red spectrum sensitivity, including H-alpha, making it suitable for capturing a wide variety of celestial objects.

Altair 585M Mono TEC Cooled camera for versatile astro imaging

The IMX585 sensor features 2.9μm square pixels and a diagonal of 12.85mm, ideal for pairing with wide-field telescopes such as the Altair 60EDF refractor. With TEC cooling and a heatsink, the camera achieves low noise levels, complemented by a built-in temperature sensor for accurate dark frame calibration. Its USB 3.0 connectivity ensures fast, reliable data transfer, while a 512MB DDR3 memory buffer maintains stable frame rates.

The Altair 585M Mono camera provides 8.3 megapixels of resolution at 3840 x 2160 pixels, supporting frame rates up to 47 frames per second in 8-bit mode. The rolling shutter and adjustable exposure times allow users to capture detailed images of both bright planets and faint deep-sky objects. The camera also includes support for binning from 1x1 to 8x8, enabling further customization for different imaging scenarios.

Altair Hypercam 585M MONO TEC cooled USB3 astronomy camera

Included with the camera is AltairCapture software, a user-friendly application that simplifies camera operation. Users can capture high-speed videos, still images, and use automation features to streamline the imaging process. The software supports various file formats, including FITS for deep-sky imaging and AVI for planetary imaging. Additionally, AltairCapture is compatible with SharpCap PRO, PHD Guiding, APT, NINA, and other popular astro-imaging software.

The camera is equipped with a wide USB compatibility, functioning with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for flexibility in imaging setups. It also features an ST4 autoguiding port, allowing seamless integration with mounts from major manufacturers like iOptron, Celestron, and Skywatcher. Altair provides robust technical support and a two-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Comprehensive installation instructions and software updates are available online, making setup straightforward for users of all experience levels.

Altair 585M Mono Cooled Camera specifications

Sensor: IMX585 Mono 8.3MP Starvis 2 BSI CMOS Sensor
Diagonal: 12.85mm
Image Resolution: 8.3 Megapixels (3840 × 2160)
Pixel Size: 2.9mm × 2.9mm
Active Image Area: 11.14 × 6.26 mm
Max FPS at Resolution (USB 3.0) without ROI
(Note: Average figures still being tested)
12-bit: 24 FPS @ 3840 × 2160 | 68 FPS @ 1920 × 1080
8-bit: 47 FPS @ 3840 × 2160 | 83 FPS @ 1920 × 1080 (ROI no binning)
Max FPS at Resolution (USB 2.0)
12-bit: 2.5 FPS @ 3840 × 2160 | 7.9 FPS @ 1920 × 1080
8-bit: 4.8 FPS @ 3840 × 2160 | 7.9 FPS @ 1920 × 1080
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Exposure Time: 0.1ms – 1000s
Gain: 1x – 150x
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 46 dB
Dynamic Range: 74 dB
Read Noise: 2.43 – 0.42 e-
Quantum Efficiency (QE) Peak: 91%
Full Well Capacity: 40ke-
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC): 12-bit (16-bit in HDR mode)
DDR3 Buffer: 512MB (4Gb)

USB compatibility

USB 3.0: Best frame rate
USB 2.0: Slower frame rate

Camera adaptors

Standard 2" for telescope connection with standard C adapter for Altair Allsky lens
Optional 1.25" nosepiece (ordered separately)

Optical features

Front Optical Window: UVIR Blocking optical window with double AR coating (350nm–1050nm transmission)
Spectral Range: Clear optical window with AR coating (No UVIR Blocking)

Capture/Control SDK

Windows/Linux/macOS/Android
Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc.

Recording system

Still picture and movie mode

Camera dimensions and weight

Dimensions: Diameter 86mm × Length 100mm
Weight: 0.5kg

Back focus distance

17.5mm (from front of camera T-thread to sensor)

Cooling options

2-stage TEC Cooling to -35°C below ambient
Optional fan-only or passive cooling (controlled via software)

Supported operating systems

Microsoft Windows 10 / 11
macOS
Linux

What's included with the Altair 585M Mono Cooled Camera

Camera body
1.5m USB cable
12V DC Power adaptor with region-appropriate plug
Armored plastic case with foam inserts and moisture seal
Silicone dust cap for sensor
Software CD (Instructions available online)

Windows PC hardware requirements

Minimum: Intel i3 processor, 4GB+ RAM, Windows 10 OS with separate graphics card
Recommended: 2013+ Intel i5 processor, 4GB RAM, USB Host Controller (1.0x or later), and separate graphics card
USB Port Compatibility: USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 High-Speed Port (best performance with post-2013 systems)
Monitor Display: 17" or larger recommended

Software compatibility

Software downloads: Altair Astro Help
Supported Applications:
AltairCapture (Win 10/11)
ASCOM, PHD2, SharpCap, NINA, APT, Firecapture

Accessories

2" × 22mm nosepiece with dual 1.25" and 2" filter threads (Code: GPCAM-2IN)
2" push-fit adaptor (Code: ALTAIRH-2IN)
C-Mount 5mm extension adapter for lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus
Spare clear or UVIR coated optical windows
Altair Astro CLS-CCD Filters for light-polluted urban environments:
- 1.25" (Code: F125CLSCCD)
- 2" (Code: F200CLSCCD)