PLAYER ONE ASTRONOMY

Saturn SQR Cameras

Designed for Lunar, Solar mosaic and DSO imaging the Saturn SQR cameras from Player One Astronomy feature the Sony IMX533 CMOS image sensor offering high image quality, high resolution and a square format with virtually no amp glow.

The Saturn-C and Saturn-M SQR camera ’ s IMX533 sensor is based on Sony STARVIS technology with a 1” square format pixel array and approximately 9M effective pixels. This sensor incorporates a maximum 36 dB PGA circuit and 14-bit A/D converter. The 14-bit digital output makes it possible to read out the signals of 9.07 M effective pixels at high-speed of 26.9 frames/s in still picture mode. It realizes 12-bit digital output at high-speed of 63.6 frames/s. The 3.76um pixel size accommodates a well depth of 73Ke with a total of 9MP (the resolution is 3008*3008), and the diagonal is 16mm.

The Saturn SQR cameras can run 43FPS under RAW8 mode and offer dual sampling modes. Normal mode has a faster fps and is more suitable for planetary imaging. LRN (low readout noise) mode has lower readout noise and higher dynamic range and is more suitable for DSO imaging.

The Saturn SQR Cameras from Player One Astronomy have DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) technology. The DPS analyzes many dark frames to find fixed abnormal pixels and record the map in camera memory. With each exposure frame, the position of dead pixels will be given a median value according to the active pixels around that abnormal pixel.

The cameras also utilize a DDR3 cache which helps stabilize and secure data transmission, helping to effectively avoid frame dropping and greatly reducing read noise. With the DDR3 cache, the camera does not have high demands on computing needs and will offer excellent performance even if it is connected to a USB 2.0 port.

When the camera is connected to the USB3.0 interface and full-resolution preview is used, it can reach 43 FPS in RAW8 mode (10bit ADC). When recording images, since the actual writing speed will be affected by the writing speed of the hard disk itself, when the hard disk writing speed is slow, the recording may not reach the theoretical speed. It is recommended that you use a high-quality solid state drive to record data to give full play to the performance of the camera.

The ST4 guide cable provides the ability to connect the camera to the auto guide port of an equatorial mount to do guiding.

You can learn more about the Saturn SQR Cameras from Player one online at www.player-one-astronomy.com.

IOPTRON

New SkyHunter Mount

The iOptron SkyHunter mount offers the ultimate in Grab N’ Go functionality with GoTo and built-in Wi-Fi for control from your smartphone. It has to be one of the lightest, most compact and portable full function mounts ever introduced on the market.

Fifteen years after releasing the innovational Cube AZ/EQ GoTo mount, the iOptron SkyHunter mount takes the next step in its evolution. Weighing in at only 2.9 lbs (including internal rechargeable battery), the SkyHunter is capable of supporting an 11 lb payload in both equatorial and alt-azimuth modes.

The iOptron SkyHunter mount features four tracking rates, 1X or sidereal, 1/2X for sky and landscape combined, Solar and Lunar. All 4 tracking rates work in both northern and southern hemispheres. The SkyHunter mount can be controlled by an iOS or Android SmartPhone/tablet, an optional 8410 hand controller, or a computer via ASCOM, INDI or embedded drive.

When you choose the complete iOptron SkyHunter portable GoTo AZ/EQ system with iPolar, you get a complete a comprehensive Grab N’ Go solution. Starting with an EQ wedge to enable alt-azimuth and equatorial functionality, also included is a well mated steel tripod pier as well as an available carbon fiber upgrade. A pier extension is included for additional clearance which prevents attached equipment from coming into contact with the legs of the tripod.

The complete package also includes a counterweight and shaft as well as a MiniUSB charging cable. The built-in, rechargeable Li-Poly battery allows for up to 10 hours of continuous operation.

The complete iOptron SkyHunter mount package also includes the iPolar electronic polar scope. With iPolar, accurate polar alignment has never been so simple. All you have to do is place the plus symbol over the graphical representation of the celestial pole ' s location. When these two symbols are aligned they represent a precise polar alignment, allowing you to get the best performance possible from your SkyHunter mount.

With the built-in WiFi adapter its easy to control the SkyHunter mount with iOS or Android devices, ASCOM drivers, iOptron Commander, Sky Safari, or with an optional 8410 hand controller (sold separately).

The specifications for the iOptron SkyHunter mount complete system include: • Specialized Grab N’ Go GoTo EQ/AZ mount • Mount weighs 2.9 lbs (1.3kg) • Payload 11 lbs (5kg) (balanced, exclude CW) • Dual-axis servomotors with optical encoders • Tracking speed: Solar, Lunar, 1X, 1/2X, S/N • Operation in both northern and southern hemisphere • Vixen dovetail saddle • Built-in rechargeable battery for up to 10 hours of operation (20°C) • Built-in WIFI adapter for full ASCOM, iOptron Commander and Sky Safari control • USB port for firmware upgrade and computer control • Optional Go2Nova 8410 controller with Advanced Go2Nova GoTo technology • iPolar electronic polar scope • Counterweight Shaft:

Φ20X200mm with 3/8” thread, stainless steel • Counterweight: 3 lbs (1.35kg) • Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads • 1.25" Stainless steel tripod • Optional carbon fiber tripod • Pier-extension

You can learn more about the iOptron SkyHunter mount at www.ioptron.com.