Player One Apollo-M MAX Camera Manual

Product Features

The Apollo series represents Player One's pioneering camera line specifically engineered for solar photography, named in homage to Apollo. These cameras are equipped with Sony sensors featuring global shutters and are primarily focused on monochrome sensor technology.

Visual: A graphic displays three cameras from the 'Solar CAMERA Series': APOLLO-M/C (IMX174 Mono/Color, USB3.0 164FPS), APOLLO-M MAX (IMX432 Mono, USB3.0 126FPS), and APOLLO-M MINI (IMX429 Mono, USB3.0 84FPS). Each camera is shown with its model name and key specifications.

Technical Parameters

Product Description

The Apollo-M MAX is a solar camera developed by Player One Astronomy, featuring the Sony IMX432 1.1" format monochrome sensor. Its 9μm pixel size offers a well depth of 100k e⁻, with a total resolution of 1.7MP (1608x1104 pixels) and a diagonal measurement of 17.5mm.

Visual: A hexagonal graphic representing the Apollo-M MAX camera. Key specifications are displayed around it: '1.1" Large Format', 'Global shutter', '126fps High Speed', '9um Pixel Size', 'Mono High Sensitivity', and '100Ke Full well'.

Pregius Technology

The Apollo-M MAX (IMX432) is based on the Pregius 3rd Generation sensor technology. While typically 3rd Gen sensors have 4.5μm pixel size and 25k e⁻ full well, the IMX432 features a 9μm pixel size and an enhanced full well capacity of up to 100k e⁻.

Format

The Apollo-M MAX (IMX432) utilizes a 1.1" format sensor, which is significantly larger, approximately double the size of the IMX174 chip.

Visual: A diagram showing the sensor dimensions. The IMX432 sensor is depicted as a rectangle labeled 'IMX432' with dimensions 14.5mm (width) and 9.9mm (height), labeled as 'Effective area'. The overall format is indicated as '1.1" format'.

Pixel Size

The 9μm pixel size of the Apollo-M MAX is 1.5 times larger than that of the IMX174 camera. This larger pixel size allows for operation at longer focal ratios, such as when using an SCT telescope with a Daystar filter (at 4.2X magnification).

Visual: A comparison of pixel sizes. Two squares are shown: one labeled '9um IMX432' and a smaller one labeled '5.86um IMX174'.

Full Well

With a full well capacity of 100k e⁻, the Apollo-M MAX offers three times the capacity of the IMX174. This feature enables new imaging possibilities, such as High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging of the Sun and its prominences, or detailed imaging of the Moon's bright and dark sides.

Visual: A bar chart comparing 'Full well' capacity. The left bar, labeled 'IMX432', shows approximately 100K e⁻. The right bar, labeled 'IMX174', shows approximately 32K e⁻.

HCG and Noise

The camera automatically activates High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode when the gain setting is 145 or higher. This mode reduces readout noise to approximately 4.6e⁻ while increasing the dynamic range to 12 stops. At a gain of 380, the Apollo-M MAX (IMX432) exhibits a readout noise of 2.6e⁻, which is lower than the IMX174, while maintaining a larger full well capacity.

Visual: A bar chart comparing 'Readout noise @ 380gain'. The left bar, labeled 'IMX432', shows 2.6e. The right bar, labeled 'IMX174', shows 3.5e.

No Banding

Row noise and banding are common issues in solar imaging, often observed with cameras like the IMX174 or IMX178, even after post-processing. A significant advantage of the Apollo-M MAX is its IMX432 sensor, which produces exceptionally smooth images with no noticeable horizontal banding, allowing users to focus on capturing fine details without concern for banding artifacts.

Visual: Two images are shown side-by-side. The left image, labeled 'Banding problem occurs sometimes from IMX174, IMX178', shows visible horizontal banding. The right image, labeled 'IMX432 has no banding at all', appears smooth without banding.

With its global shutter, the Apollo-M MAX is highly suitable for imaging the Sun and space stations.

Recommended Accessories

ACS (Active Cooling System)

The ACS is an external air-cooled system designed for solar and large format planetary cameras that already feature a Passive Cooling System (PCS). ACS enhances temperature control, maintaining a sensor temperature only 7°C above ambient when paired with PCS, resulting in a slightly warm but not hot camera body. It is effective for both daylight solar imaging and night-time Deep Sky Object (DSO) imaging.

Learn more: Player One ACS Product Page

Visual: An image of the Player One Active Cooling System attached to the back of an astronomy camera.

Features

Player One Astronomy cameras are uniquely named, with the solar camera line drawing inspiration from Apollo, the sun god. The suffix in each camera's name highlights its most prominent feature.

Visual: An image of the APOLLO-M MAX MONO CAMERA with key specifications listed: '1608x1104@126fps', '720P@187fps'. A bulleted list of features is also presented:

• High Sensitivity: Utilizes the well-known Sony IMX432 Monochrome sensor.
• Global Shutter: Ideal for solar and artificial object imaging.
• DDR Cache: Equipped with 256MB DDR3 cache.
• Nova Boosting Technology: Achieves over 98FPS, offering 30% faster performance.
• Passive Cooling System: Helps lower sensor temperature.
• DPS Technology: Suppresses dead pixels to improve image quality.
• Sensor Tilt Plate: Eliminates Newton rings during solar imaging.
• USB3.0: Supports frame rates up to 126FPS.
• ST4 Port: Facilitates guiding.

The Apollo-M MAX features a 1.1" format sensor and 9μm pixel size, making it optimal for use with large telescopes.

Downloads:

• Drivers and software: Player One Software Downloads
• Manuals: Player One Manuals

Cutting-edge Design

Player One Astronomy cameras feature a design based on a scientific and technological hexagonal structure for the main body, complemented by rounded chamfers to ensure both rigidity and flexibility. The vibrant orange color signifies solar energy, contrasted with a subtle black finish. A super-fine frosting process across the surface gives the camera a premium, cool appearance, reflecting a high-end player aesthetic.

Visual: An image of the hexagonal-shaped Apollo-M MAX camera body.

2nd Gen – Sensor Tilt Plate

When capturing solar photographs with a prominence telescope, Newton rings can be an issue. The adjustable focal plate allows for smoother solar images by mitigating Newton rings and reducing field curvature of the telescope.

Visual: A diagram showing the camera with a 'Sensor Tilt Plate' and 'Tilting adjusting screws' indicated.

The integrated high-density sponge shading pad effectively blocks light from side slits, preventing any light leakage.

Visual: Two diagrams comparing tilt plate designs. The top shows a '2nd Gen' plate with a '5mm sponge spacer' and '2mm deep groove', allowing for a larger tilt angle and protection against light leak. The bottom shows a '1st Gen Tilt plate' with a '3.5mm sponge spacer' and 'No groove'.

Newton rings are a common occurrence in Ha Solar imaging. Using a built-in or an additional tilt plate can effectively resolve this issue.

Visual: Two comparison images. The top row shows an image labeled 'Without tilt adjustment' exhibiting Newton rings. The bottom row shows an image labeled '1.5-2mm tilt adjustment' which is clear. Both are described as 'IMX432 flat with Quark'.

Passive Cooling System

Solar cameras operating in daylight can experience significantly higher temperatures than at night. The heat generated by global shutter sensors, particularly in larger format sensors like the IMX432, can be problematic. Player One has introduced a Passive Cooling System (PCS) to efficiently conduct heat away from the sensor.

Visual: A diagram illustrating the Passive Cooling System. It shows a 'Camera sensor' connected via a 'Thermal conductive silicone pad' to the 'Radiator unit' within the 'Thermal conduction module of camera back piece'. A bar chart shows 'Ambient Temperature 27°C'. The 'Without PCS' bar reaches 60°C, while the 'With PCS' bar reaches 45°C, indicating a 15°C reduction.

256M DDR3 Cache

Player One Astronomy cameras are the first in the world to incorporate DDR3 cache in all planetary cameras. This feature enhances data transmission stability and security, effectively preventing frame drops and significantly reducing read noise. The DDR3 cache also means the camera has lower demands on computing power, ensuring excellent performance even when connected via a USB 2.0 port.

Visual: An image of a DDR3 256MB memory chip.

DPS Technology

Player One Astronomy cameras feature DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) technology. DPS analyzes numerous dark frames to identify and map fixed abnormal pixels. During imaging, the values of these dead pixels are replaced with a median value calculated from surrounding active pixels.

Visual: Two images are shown side-by-side, illustrating the effect of DPS. The left image, labeled 'Without DPS', shows some bright pixels. The right image, labeled 'With DPS', shows these pixels corrected.

Overvoltage and Overcurrent Protection Mechanism

Player One cameras are designed with overvoltage and overcurrent protection mechanisms to ensure the safety of the camera and connected equipment.

Data Port

When connected via USB3.0 with full-resolution preview, the camera can achieve 109FPS in 12bit (RAW16) and 126FPS in 10bit (RAW8) modes. For image recording, actual writing speed depends on the hard disk's performance. It is recommended to use a high-quality solid-state drive (SSD) for optimal data recording and to fully leverage the camera's capabilities.

The ST4 guide cable can be used to connect the camera to the AUTO GUIDE port of an equatorial mount for guiding purposes.

Visual: A diagram of the camera's rear panel showing a 'USB3.0 port' and an 'ST4 guiding port'.

Performance

The following graphs illustrate the performance characteristics of the Apollo-M MAX camera across different gain settings.

Visual: A graph titled 'System Gain' showing 'e-/ADU' on the Y-axis and 'Gain (0.1dB)' on the X-axis. It plots values from approximately 25.243 e-/ADU at 50 gain down to 0.144 e-/ADU at 450 gain.

Visual: A graph titled 'Readout Noise' showing 'Noise (e-)' on the Y-axis and 'Gain (0.1dB)' on the X-axis. It shows noise levels starting around 22.908e at 50 gain, decreasing to 2.589e at 450 gain.

Visual: A graph titled 'Full Well' showing 'Fullwell (e-)' on the Y-axis and 'Gain (0.1dB)' on the X-axis. It shows full well capacity starting around 73295e at 50 gain, decreasing to 590e at 450 gain.

Visual: A graph titled 'Dynamic Range' showing 'DR (Stops)' on the Y-axis and 'Gain (0.1dB)' on the X-axis. It shows dynamic range values ranging from approximately 12.14 stops at 50 gain down to 7.832 stops at 450 gain.

Readout Noise

Player One guarantees that all readout noise values are derived from actual tests. Users can utilize software like Sharpcap 4, which includes a 'Sensor Analysis' function, for simple readout noise testing. A tutorial is available on the Player One website. Rigorous testing has shown the camera can achieve a low readout noise of 2.6e⁻ at a gain of 380.

QE Curve

Visual: A graph titled 'IMX432 QE Curve'. The Y-axis represents 'Relative response' from 0.0 to 1.0, and the X-axis represents 'Wavelength [nm]' from 400 to 1000. The curve peaks around 550-600nm, showing a peak quantum efficiency of approximately 0.9.

HCG Mode

The Apollo-M MAX camera features a unique HCG mode that automatically activates when the camera gain setting exceeds 145. This mode is designed to significantly reduce readout noise while preserving the high dynamic range characteristic of lower gain settings.

Mechanical Drawing

Visual: Two diagrams illustrate the camera's mechanical specifications. One shows a side view with dimensions: 38mm height, 66mm width, and a 'Sensor' area with a 'Back Focus Length' of 12.5mm. The other shows a rear view with mounting details: a central 1/4 inch thread, and surrounding M4, M2.5 screw holes, with M42*0.75 threads on the front and a diameter of Φ 28mm.

Package List

Visual: A graphic displays the camera package contents. The items are numbered:

1. Camera and T-mount
2. USB3.0 Cable
3. ST4 Cable
4. M2 Hexagonal wrench
5. 1.25" Cover
6. Air Blower

The packaging also highlights key features: 'High Sensitivity', 'High Image Quality', 'High Speed', and 'For solar & planetary imaging'.

Warranty & Shipping Policy

Payment Method

Payment can be made via PayPal or PayPal checkout on the Player One website.

Shipping and Delivery

Shipping Fee:

• Orders totaling $299 USD or more qualify for free express shipping.
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For specific shipping company preferences or special requirements, customers should email support@player-one-astronomy.com with detailed information.

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• Shipping is delayed or shows abnormal information.
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For the best customer experience, purchasing from local dealers is recommended.

After-sales Service

Warranty Policy:

Player One products come with a 2-year free warranty starting from the delivery date. For any product issues, customers should send images, videos, and descriptions to support@player-one-astronomy.com for assessment.

• Purchases made directly from the Player One official online store will receive direct warranty service.
• Purchases made through a dealer will have warranty service handled by the dealer.

In case of repair under warranty, customers are responsible only for the shipping cost of returning the product to Player One or the dealer; no other fees apply.

Replacement Policy

Customers can request a Replacement Service under the following conditions:

• Within 30 calendar days of receiving the product, if it does not match the original description in significant ways.
• Within 30 calendar days of receiving the product, if it experiences performance failure.

Contact the After-Sales team at support@player-one-astronomy.com within 30 days of receiving the product. Player One will cover the round-trip shipping costs for replacements due to performance faults.

Warranty and Replacement Policy Exceptions:

• Warranty or replacement service time has expired.
• Proof of purchase (receipts, invoices) is missing or appears to have been tampered with.
• The product returned for replacement is missing original accessories, attachments, or packaging, or contains items damaged due to user error.
• The product is found to have no defects after appropriate testing by Player One.
• Damage or faults caused by unauthorized use, modification, exposure to moisture, foreign bodies (water, oil, sand), or improper installation/operation.
• Product labels or serial numbers show signs of tampering or alteration.
• Damage caused by uncontrollable external factors such as falls, fires, floods, or lightning.
• Proof of transit damage from the carrier is not provided.
• Other circumstances specified in this policy.

In situations not covered by the warranty, repair costs will be estimated, and the customer will be contacted for approval before the product is returned.