MORAVIAN C1x PRO 26000C [COLOUR]

 

The Moravian C1x 26000 Pro Colour is a high performance cooled colour astronomy camera using the industrial-grade Sony IMX571 CMOS sensor with a resolution of 6252 x 4176 pixels at 3.76μm. Unlike the non-pro version, the industrial-grade sensor used in this camera is designed for 24/7 operation, making it ideal for professional remote observatories where reliability is paramount.

This latest generation of Sony back-illuminated sensors are natively 16-bit with exceptional sensitivity, full-well capacity, extremely low read noise and perfectly linear response to light.

 

The C1x family of cameras combine the large APS-C and Full-Frame sized sensors used in the C3 series, with the compact body of C1+ cameras. The front cross-section of the C1x camera head is the same like the C1+, only its body is a bit longer to accommodate more complex electronics as well as more powerful cooling. Similarly to the C1+ line, also the C1x cameras lack mechanical shutter.

Usage of large sensors up to 24 × 36mm required redesign of the telescope/lens adapters of the C1x line, as the M42/M48 × 0.75 threads, used with C1+ camera adapters, are too small for such large sensors. Because of this, the C1x adapters are equipped with M56 × 1 threads. The front plate of the M56 × 1 adapter also contains four threaded M3 holes, which makes it compatible with the same external filter wheels and other accessories of the C3 series.

 

 

Four sizes of the External filter wheels capable of holding various sizes of filters are available for C1x cameras:

Extra small “XS” size wheel for:

• 7 unmounted D36 mm filters

Small “S” size wheel for:

• 5 square 50 × 50 mm filters
• 7 unmounted filters D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells
• 10 unmounted filters D36 mm filters

Medium “M” size wheel for:

• 5 square 50 × 50 mm filters
• 7 unmounted filters D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells
• 10 unmounted filters D36 mm filters

Large “L” size wheel for:

• 7 square 50 × 50 mm filters
• 9 unmounted filters D50 mm or filters in 2” threaded cells

Note:  36mm filters are only suitable for C1x cameras which have APS-C sensors (such as the IMX571). 

Both IMX571 (used in C1x 26000) and IMX455 (used in C1x 61000) sensors are supplied in two variants:

• Consumer grade sensors found in the C1x 26000 & C1x 61000. The sensor manufacturer (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation) limits their usage to consumer still cameras only with operation time max. 300 hours per year.
• Industrial grade sensors found in the C1x 26000 PRO and C1x 61000 PRO, intended for devices operating 24/7.

All sensor characteristics (resolution, dynamic range, …) are equal; sensors differ only in target applications and usage time. Cameras used for casual imaging (when weather permits) only rarely exceed 300 hours of observing time per year. Cameras permanently installed on observatories, utilizing every clear night and possibly located on mountain sites with lots of clear nights exceed the 300 hours/year within a couple of months.

C1× camera models with consumer-grade sensors include:

 

C1× camera models with industrial-grade sensors include:

 

 

Sensor linearity of IMX455 sensor as found in the C3 61000 camera (using the same sensor as the C1x version).

 

The CMOS sensors found in these cameras have a response to light that is linear very close to the saturation point. This means the C1x series cameras can be used for advanced research and scientific applications like variable star photometry and transiting exoplanets.

The regulated thermoelectric cooler is capable of cooling the CMOS sensor to approximately 35°C below ambient temperature. The sensor temperature is regulated with ±0.1 °C precision. High temperature reduction and precision regulation ensure very low dark current for long exposures and allow proper image calibration.

Sensors used in C1x cameras offer programmable gain from 0 to 36 dB, which translates to the output signal multiplication from 1× to 63×. Gain can be set with 0.1 dB step.

The USB 3.0 port operates at 5 Gbps allowing for fast transfer rates. C1x cameras with the "T" suffix include a hardware trigger input port for use with the optional GPS receiver module.

For more information on Moravian C1x cameras, please refer to the Moravian website.

Specifications

 

Sensor	CMOS Sony IMX571 colour - Industrial
Resolution	26.11 megapixels 6252 x 4176
Pixel size	3.76 µm
Sensor size	23.51 x 15.7 mm (28.3 mm diagonal)
Quantum efficiency	~80%
Exposure range	From 139 μs
Read noise	1.39 e- @ 36 dB
Full well capacity	52,800 e- @ 0 dB
Bit rate	16-bit
Speed	~151 MPx/s digitization speed
Shutter type	Rolling shutter
Cooling	TEC-cooled
Memory buffer	On-board RAM
ROI	Supported
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Linux
Protecting window	TBD
Ports	USB 3.0, Trig-in (for "T" version), EFW
Back focus	16.5 mm from M56 x 1 adapter base
Connections	M56 x 1 female. Additional adapters available separately
Dimensions	78 x 78 x 108 mm
Weight	850 g
Power supply	12V DC 5A 5.5 x 2.5 mm

 

 

 

Mechanical diagram showing C1x camera with tiltable M56 x 1 adapter on the left and M42/M48 adapter on the right, as well as with EFW filter wheel. Detailed diagrams can be found on the Moravian website.

 

 

Gallery

 

Eagle Nebula by Wolfgang Promper using Moravian C3-61000 (same sensor generation as used in the C1X) and 600mm RC at f/4.5.

 

 

IC5148 by Wolfgang Promper using Moravian C3-61000 (same sensor generation as used in the C1X) and 600mm RC at f/4.5.

 

 

Horsehead Nebula by Wolfgang Promper using Moravian C3-61000 (same sensor generation as used in the C1X) and 600mm RC at f/4.5.