SkyEye24AC Deep Sky Camera
Professional deep sky astrophotography camera featuring Sony IMX410 full-frame color CMOS sensor with 24-megapixel resolution, precise temperature control, ultra-low read noise, and zero amp-glow characteristics, delivering exceptional performance for deep sky object imaging.
Function Description
SkyEye24AC features a full-frame image sensor, precise temperature control, ultra-low read noise, and zero amp-glow characteristics, making it ideal for deep sky object photography. Its exceptional performance and versatile applications provide users with an extraordinary astrophotography experience.
SkyEye24AC Features:
- IMX410 Color Image Sensor
- Resolution: 24 Megapixels (6064×4040)
- 5.94μm Square Pixels
- Full Frame (43.3mm Diagonal)
- 14-bit ADC
- 512MB Onboard Memory
- Precise Temperature Control
- Zero Amp-Glow
- G Sensitivity: 572.76mV with 1/30s
- Ultra-Low Noise: 1.95 to 4.48 e⁻ (Low Noise Mode)
- Supports Low Noise Mode/High Frame Rate Mode (Up to 15.2 FPS full pixel at 8-bit output)
- Supports HCG/LCG Mode
- Maximum SNR: 50.2 dB (Low Noise Mode)
- Dynamic Range: 87.3 dB (Low Noise Mode)
- Cooling difference up to 30℃ below ambient temperature for short exposures / up to 35℃ below ambient temperature for long exposures
Core Features
Technology Advantages
Full Frame 24-Megapixel Sensor
SkyEye24AC features the Sony IMX410 sensor with 24-megapixel resolution (6064×4040) and a full-frame size of 36.02mm × 23.998mm. The 5.94μm pixel size provides excellent light gathering capability. The full-frame sensor ensures an extremely large field of view, making it the ideal choice for capturing large nebulae, galaxies, and wide-field deep sky objects.
Sony IMX410 Spectral Response Curve
The SkyEye24AC sensor has a G sensitivity of 572.76mV at 1/30s. Its quantum efficiency peak exceeds 80% and maintains excellent response throughout the visible light range. With an IR cut filter installed, its spectral response range is 380-690nm. The sensor's high quantum efficiency ensures clear image capture even in low-light conditions.
14-bit ADC and Flexible ROI
SkyEye24AC outputs native 14-bit ADC. The camera supports 12-bit hardware pixel binning output mode or lower resolution output. Hardware ROI is supported, and the smaller the ROI size, the higher the frame rate.
Frame Rates at Different Resolutions/Data Bits/Data Transfer Interfaces
| Resolution | 14-bit Output | 8-bit Output | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB3.0 | USB2.0 | USB3.0 | USB2.0 | |
| 6064×4040 | 8.0 | 0.9 | 16.0 | 1.8 |
| 6064×4040 (Low Noise Mode) | 4.6 | 0.4 | 9.2 | 0.8 |
| 3024×2012 | 19.5 | 3.7 | 38.8 | 7.4 |
| 2016×1342 | 64.3 | 8.3 | 114.6 | 16.5 |
Unit: Frames per Second (FPS)
512MB DDR3 Cache Technology
SkyEye24AC features 512MB (4Gb) DDR3 cache, helping maintain data transmission stability and effectively reducing amp-glow phenomena, as image data can be buffered without rushing to send data to the receiving end.
Pixel Binning Technology
SkyEye24AC supports digital pixel binning from 1×1 to 8×8 (stacking or averaging methods) and hardware pixel binning from 1×1 to 3×3 (averaging method). Hardware pixel binning is much more efficient than software pixel binning.
HCG/LCG Dual Mode Conversion Gain
SkyEye24AC supports HCG and LCG mode conversion. With HCG mode enabled, read noise can be as low as 0.3 e⁻ at maximum gain settings.
Zero Amp-Glow Design
SkyEye24AC is carefully designed to achieve zero amp-glow photography. It's easy to see that images captured by SkyEye24AC exhibit no amp-glow phenomena.
Ultra-Low Noise Read Mode
SkyEye24AC's read noise is as low as 4.48 - 0.68e⁻. More impressively, SkyEye24AC features a low noise mode, which means users can select low noise mode to achieve even lower read noise at the cost of reduced frame rate.
Precision Cooling System
Two-Stage TEC Deep Cooling Technology
SkyEye24AC's cooling system is a two-stage thermoelectric cooling (TEC) system with controllable electric fan-assisted heat dissipation. Operating temperature can be adjusted to specific values, with effective cooling difference reaching up to 35℃ below ambient temperature. This efficient cooling system ensures the stability of ultra-low noise mode and camera image quality. The TEC system is controlled by PID algorithm, allowing precise adjustment to target temperature with 0.1°C deviation.
TEC Cooling Structure
Adopts two-stage semiconductor cooling chip series design, where the first stage directly cools the sensor and the second stage efficiently conducts heat to the heat dissipation system.
Anti-Dew Heating System
The camera front end is equipped with an intelligent anti-dew heating system that automatically monitors environmental humidity and temperature, activating heating when necessary to prevent optical window condensation.
Technical Specifications
Core Performance Parameters
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 3.0) |
14-bit: 8.0 FPS @ 6064×4040 14-bit: 4.6 FPS @ 6064×4040 (Low Noise Mode) 8-bit: 16.0 FPS @ 6064×4040 8-bit: 114.6 FPS @ 2016×1342 |
|---|---|
| Read Noise |
LCG Mode: 4.48 - 1.95 e⁻ HCG Mode: 0.68 - 0.3 e⁻ |
| Full Well Capacity | 104ke⁻ (LCG Mode) 20ke⁻ (HCG Mode) |
| Peak Quantum Efficiency | >80% |
| Dynamic Range | 87.3 dB (Low Noise Mode) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 50.2 dB |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 3600s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 150× |
| Cooling Capability |
Short Exposure: ΔT = -30℃ Long Exposure (>1s): ΔT = -35℃ |
Basic Technical Specifications
| Sensor | Sony IMX410 Color CMOS |
|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 24 Megapixels (6064×4040) |
| Pixel Size | 5.94μm × 5.94μm |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame (43.3mm Diagonal) |
| Imaging Area | 36.02mm × 23.998mm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| ADC Bit Depth | 14-bit |
| DDR3 Cache | 512MB (4Gb) |
| Spectral Response Range | 380-690nm (with IR Cut Filter) |
| Front Window Protection Glass | IR Cut Filter |
Interface and Physical Specifications
| Data Interface | USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Camera Interface | M54 × 0.75 Thread |
| Back Focus Length Used | 17.5mm |
| USB Hub | USB 2.0 Hub for Accessory Connection |
| Power Requirements | DC 12V 3A |
| Dimensions | Diameter 89mm × Height 103mm |
| Weight | 718g |
| Cooling Method | Two-Stage TEC Cooling |
| Supported Systems | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32&64-bit) Mac OS X, Linux |
| SDK Support | Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc. |
Multi-Mode Flexible Switching
SkyEye24AC supports HCG (High Conversion Gain) and LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode conversion. With HCG mode enabled, read noise can be as low as 0.3 e⁻ at maximum gain settings.
HCG Mode Performance
Camera Settings: Full Resolution, RAW 14-bit Mode, Temperature: -5℃
HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode is optimized for deep sky astrophotography. In this mode, read noise can be as low as 0.3e⁻, making it ideal for capturing faint nebulae, galaxies, and other deep sky objects. With a full well capacity of 20ke⁻ and dynamic range reaching 14 stops, it can simultaneously capture both the bright core and faint outer structures of celestial objects.
LCG Mode Performance
Camera Settings: Full Resolution, RAW 14-bit Mode, Temperature: -5℃
LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode provides larger full well capacity (104ke⁻), suitable for capturing high dynamic range celestial objects. Dynamic range can reach 14 stops, ensuring complete recording of all details from brightest to darkest.
Camera Interface & Dimensions
Standard Interface Design
The internal thread flange thickness is 17.5mm, meaning the camera uses 17.5mm of back focus. Users can use the 21mm and 16.5mm extension tubes included in the camera package to achieve 55mm back focus.
Sensor Tilt Adjustment
SkyEye24AC has the capability to adjust sensor tilt. Three sets of screws are available for adjusting the image sensor tilt to make it parallel to the telescope's primary mirror surface, with each set containing one screw for pulling back and one for pushing forward.
Package Contents
Standard Configuration Includes:
Note: Actual package contents are subject to the physical product. ToupTek reserves the right to make detail adjustments without affecting product performance.