ZWO ASI664MC USB3.0 Astro Camera with passive Air-Cooling

This camera is equipped with a modern 1/1.8" sensor with 2704 x 1536 pixels. The IMX664 offers an extremely smooth image without amplifier glow in addition to the modern Starvis-2 technology (back-illumination), but convinces especially with the high resolution (2.9 µm pixels) and the high frame rate. We recommend this camera for:

• Detailed planetary photography
  
• Lunar surface details
  
• Sun details (with suitable filter)
  
• Photography of (small) brighter nebulae and star clusters without power consuming cooling - exposure time up to 2000 seconds is possible
  
• Infrared photography to reduce the influence of seeing, thus sharper luminance channel
  
• Autoguiding camera (autoguiding port is available)
  
• EAA (electronically assisted astronomy) for planets, moon and sun

Lunar and planetary photography:
Due to the fine 2.9µm pixels, you achieve a very high resolution even from f/10, which even makes the use of Barlow lenses and converter systems unnecessary.

EAA (electronically assisted astronomy):
The high resolution, combined with a high frame rate of 95fps at full resolution (RAW8 format), allows real-time observation of planets as well as lots of details on the moon and sun. Why not observe together in a group - without long waiting times for everyone´s turn!

Use as Auto-guider:
The ASI664MC is a lightweight camera at only 126g. It hardly loads the focuser at all. The camera also has an ST-4 autoguiding interface and a 2 metre long autoguiding cable included.

AR-coated clear glass filter protects the sensor from dust:
The clear glass filter prevents dust from getting to the sensor. It also lets UV and infrared through, so you can also do infrared photography with this camera. You have full control over what light hits the sensor with the right choice of contrast filters, nebula filters, IR pass filters, or UV/IR blocking filters.

Air cooling - reduces sensor temperature:
As with all cameras, the sensor heats up during the exposures. The PCS dissipates heat from the sensor via a heat conducting pad. The sensor temperature is therefore reduced by up to 15 degrees Celsius compared to cameras without PCS.

Very high sensitivity for short exposure times:
One advantage of the back-illuminated CMOS sensor is the lower readout noise and improved sensitivity. In particular, Sony uses STARVIS-2 technology in the IMX664 sensor, which provides excellent low-light visibility. You can achieve a very high light output in astro imaging and also in the near infrared range (to reduce seeing). In addition, the low readout noise and the high full-well capacity ensure a higher dynamic range.

The ASI664MC is not only ideal for planetary and detailed images of the Sun and Moon but can also be used as a live streaming camera or as an all-sky camera for observing or monitoring weather conditions.

The low noise and anti-amp glow circuitry make this camera interesting for capturing deep-sky objects such as faint nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.

The HCG mode:
The camera has a built-in HCG mode that can effectively reduce readout noise at high gain and maintain the same wide dynamic range that you would expect at low gain. When the gain is 252, the HCG mode will turn on automatically. This results in readout noise below 1.0 e- while the dynamic range can still reach more than 11 f-stops.

Spec:

• Sensor: Sony 1/1.8" CMOS IMX664 color sensor
  
• Resolution: 2704 x 1536 pixels, 4.15 megapixels
  
• Pixel size: 2.9 µm
  
• Sensor size: 7.84mm x 4.45mm
  
• Diagonal: 9.02mm (1/1.8")
  
• Capture speed: up to 95 FPS at 10 bit
  
• Exposure time: from 32 µs - 2000 s
  
• ROI: Supported
  
• ST4 autoguider port: Yes
  
• Distance from T2 thread to sensor: 12.5mm
  
• Shutter type: Rolling shutter
  
• Protective window: AR coated, full IR transmission
  
• Connection: USB3.0/USB2.0
  
• QE: ~91%
  
• Full well: 36.5 ke-
  
• Anti amp glow circuit: Yes
  
• Readout noise: 5.8 e- to 0.46 e-
  
• Bit resolution: 12 bit ADC
  
• Telescope connection: M42 x 0.75 / 2" / 1.25" (via adapter)
  
• Tripod thread: 1/4" at the rear side
  
• Dimensions: D 62mm x 37.1mm (without lens)
  
• Working temperature: -5 °C to +50 °C
  
• System requirements: USB 3.0 should be supported by the operating system - Windows 8 and above, Mac OS X 10.8, Linux kernel 2.6.31 (Ubuntu 16.04 and above)
  
• Weight: 126g

Whats included:

1. ASI camera
   
2. Adapter T2 (M42x0.75) on 1.25"
   
3. 1.25" cover
   
4. Adapter T2 to CS mount (mounted)
   
5. Wide field lens (mounted)
   
6. USB 3.0 cable
   
7. ST4 cable
   
8. Quick Start Guide

Software Download:
Drivers and programs for this camera can be downloaded from the following link - HERE