SPECIFICATIONS

The post ZWO ASI290MM Mini appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

Extremely low read noise (2.2 e~1.4e) , 1.4e @27db, high sensitivity and 14bit ADC make this an excellent choice for high resolution astrophotography.

Supplied with a 2.5mm (nearly) ‘all sky lens’ for an approx 170° view of the sky!

SOFTWARE and DRIVERS
Up-to-date drivers can be found on the manufacturer’s website

The QHY equivalent is the QHY5III-178M

The ZWO ASI178MM USB 3.0 Mono Camera comes with a USB3.0 connection that gives you the opportunity to use it with newer laptops but is backward compatible with USB2.0. High framerates are not a guarantee for excellent images, but certainly helpful. There is no USB 2.0 version of this camera as that simply won’t be enough to use the camera’s possible high framerate, plus, for the same reason, we would really recommend using it with USB3.0 compatible hardware as that’s the only way to achieve very high frame rates…

It comes with an AUTOGUIDER PORT just as many other ZWO cameras, so you may use it for both imaging or guiding!

This camera will mostly be used for high magnification Lunar and Solar imaging and for microscopic imaging, but it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level as it supports up to 1000 seconds exposure time. This monochrome camera provides you with the best data output and therefore even better images (in comparison to a colour camera), but you’d have to add filters and a filter wheel when you take images of planets or deep sky, however you could use it as it is without colour filters for solar imaging (but still must have a solar filter in front of the telescope when observing or imaging the Sun!!!)

Features of the ZWO ASI178MM USB 3.0 Mono Camera
Recommended for high-magnification Lunar and Solar imaging, microscopic imaging and to image some deep sky objects
Resolution: 3096X2080 at up to 30fps (at 14bit ADC) or 60fps (at 10 bit ADC)
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
Autoguider Port
Very low read noise (1.5e)
High Sensitivity
Full aluminum housing with standard 2″ interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.
T-thread to C-mount adapter included

Specification of ZWO ASI178MM USB3.0

Sensor: 1/1.8” CMOS IMX178
Resolution: 6.4 Mega Pixels 3096*2080
Pixel Size: 2.4µm
Sensor Size: 7.4mm*5mm
Diagonal: 8.92mm
Exposure Rage: 32µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
ST4 Guider Port: Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: AR window
(IR Cut-off filter is recommended)
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 14bit output(14bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 36mm
Weight: 120g or 4.2 ounces (without lens)
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Supported Resolutions:

10bit ADC/14bit ADC
3096×2080 60fps / 30fps
2560×2048 62fps / 31fps
2048×1080 116fps / 58fps
1280×960 130fps / 65fps
800×600 204.7fps / 102.3fps
640×480 253.1fps / 126.5fps
320×240 479.7fps / 239.8fps

More resolutions can be defined by user

The post ZWO ASI178MM USB 3.0 Mono Camera appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

The NEW ZWO ASI120MC is an excellent choice for an affordable planetary camera or deep sky one shot colour camera for those who has just started in astro photography, but cannot spend a fortune on a specialist astro photography camera or want to replace a modified webcam or a cheaper planetary imager. This NEW version also comes with an ST4 AUTOGUIDER PORT so you may now use it both for imaging or guiding!

With the ZWO ASI120MC camera you can achieve better results than with those beginner cameras. We are not saying that anything is wrong with those cameras like the TSSI or Scopiumcam, but this is just simply better for a still affordable price.
If you however want the ultimate camera, go for a Moravian Instruments camera that you may also find on our website, but of course for more bucks.
Basically, according to the old saying, you get what you pay for…

According to customer feedback, these cameras worth every penny invested.
Mostly used for planetary imaging, it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level or even as a guide camera. With the ZWO ASI120MC you won’t have to spend lots of time to get beautiful images, however, if you want to get the best results from this range of cameras and you have plenty of time to spare, why not to try L-RGB or narrow band photography with the monochrome version of this camera, the ZWO ASI120MM. (If you go for the monochrome version, you’ll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band photography…)

Features of the NEW ZWO ASI120MC
Recommended for the Sun, Moon and some deep sky objects
(To image the Sun you’ll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 1280X960 at up to 30fps
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
NEW – Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: 75% (better than ICX618)
No fixed pattern noise (FPN)!
Full aluminum housing with standard 2″ interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• ASI120MC colour camera
• ST4 cable
• USB cable
• 150-degree lens
• 1.25″ nosepiece with male T-thread
• 1.25″ end cap for above nosepiece
• CD (with instructions, drivers and software, although we recommend to download the latest versions online)

DOWNLOADS

On the included CD you’ll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers’ websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
We’d recommend to use the beta version of Firecapture as the 2.2 version is not fully functional with the ZWO ASI cameras…

TROUBLESHOOTING

Here you can download a pdf file that will guide you through ZWO ASI camera troubleshooting. Click here!

ALL SKY CAMERA
150 degree wide lens included! You don’t even need a telescope to start imaging the stars!

Image courtesy of Scott Anttia.

Specification of ZWO ASI120MC

Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Color)
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Rage: 64µs-1000s

ROI: Supported
Interface: USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output（12bit ADC）
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 28mm
Weight: 100g

Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Transmission chart of the UV IR-cut off filter used as an optical window in the ZWO ASI120MC CMOS cameras

For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer’s website: ZWOptical

The post ZWO ASI120MC Colour 1/3″ CMOS USB2.0 Camera with Autoguider Port (EU Delivery) appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

With the ZWO ASI120MM-S camera you can achieve better results than with those beginner cameras. We are not saying that anything is wrong with those cameras like the TSSI or Scopiumcam, but this is just simply better for a still affordable price.
If you however want the ultimate camera, go for a Moravian Instruments camera that you may also find on our website, but of course for more bucks.
Basically, as the old saying says, you get what you pay for…

According to customer feedback, these cameras worth every penny invested.
Mostly used for planetary imaging, it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level. This monochrome version is recommended for L-RGB or narrow band deep sky photography if you want to get out the best data from your camera and achieve sharp, contrasty deep sky images or planetary images, but if you don’t want the hassle or cannot spend much time and happy to go for a compromise, simply choose the colour version, the ZWO ASI120MC.
With this monochrome version, you’ll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band astro photography…)

Features of the ZWO ASI120MM-S
Recommended for the Sun, Moon and some deep sky objects
(To image the Sun you’ll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 1280X960 at up to 30fps
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
NEW – Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: 75% (better than ICX618)
No fixed pattern noise (FPN)!
Full aluminum housing with standard 2″ interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.
Image courtesy of Scott Anttia.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• ASI120MM-S monochrome camera
• ST4 cable
• USB cable
• 150-degree lens
• 1.25″ nosepiece with male T-thread
• 1.25″ end cap for above nosepiece
• CD (with instructions, drivers and software, although we recommend to download the latest versions online)

DOWNLOADS

On the included CD you’ll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers’ websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads

We’d recommend to use the beta version of Firecapture as the 2.2 version is not fully functional with the ZWO ASI cameras…

APPLE MAC USERS:
to use the ASI camera under Mac there are 2 steps to do:
1. install Parrallel virtual machine.
2. flash the ASI firmware.

Here is a link to the update tool for ASI120 (ONLY FOR mac USERS!):
http://www.zwoptical.com/software/FW%20update%20ASI120.rar
(Please don’t upgrade your firmware if you use a PC.)
Update is very easy, you just need to run the tool on a machine which runs the camera…

TROUBLESHOOTING

Here you can download a pdf file that will guide you through ZWO ASI camera troubleshooting. Click here!

AUTOGUIDING

Please find further info about autoguiding with this camera here: ZWO ASI120 AUTOGUIDING

150 degree wide lens included! You don’t even need a telescope to start imaging the stars!

Image courtesy of Scott Anttia.

Specification of ZWO ASI120MM-S

Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS MT9M034 (mono)
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Rage: 64µs-1000s

ROI: Supported
Interface: USB3.0
Bit rate: 12bit output（12bit ADC）
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 28mm
Weight: 100g

Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Transmission chart of the Clear filter used as an optical window in the ZWO ASI120MM and ZWO 130MM CMOS cameras

For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer’s website: ZWOptical

There is also a Yahoo Group where you can find lots of information about how other members use the ZWO cameras: Yahoo Group ZWO ASI Cameras

See an article in our blog about
How to deal with Newton’s rings in CMOS imaging?

Below is an example of a planetary imaging setup with a Imaging Flip Mirror, ZWO Filter Wheel and ZWO ASI120MM monochrome camera. With the help of a Variable Locking T2 Extension we could achieve parfocality.  The eyepiece holder (that is part of the Imaging Flip Mirror) is also adjustable, so with these two adjastable items we can achieve various positions of the eyepiece thus parfocality can be achieved with eyepieces of various focal lengths. To see approximately the same field, you’d have to use an eyepiece with approximately 6mm focal length. Please note that this setup might not work for a Newtonian telescope due to the long back focus requirement.

The post ZWO ASI120MM-S Mono 1/3 CMOS USB3.0 Camera with Autoguider Port appeared first on Modern Astronomy.

The ZWO ASI120MC-S is an excellent choice as an affordable planetary camera or deep sky colour camera for those just starting in astro photography. This version is USB3.0 and comes with an ST4 AUTOGUIDER PORT so you can use it for imaging or guiding.

Mostly used for planetary imaging, it can also be used for basic deep sky imaging or as a guide camera, though mono cameras are preferred for guiding. For a USB2 camera with similar qualities consider the QHY5L-II Colour

Features of the NEW ZWO ASI120MC-S
Recommended for the Sun, Moon and some deep sky objects
(To image the Sun you’ll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 1280X960 at up to 60 / 70fps
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Colour data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: 75% (better than ICX618)
No fixed pattern noise (FPN)!
Full aluminum housing with standard 2″ interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.
Compatible with DirectShow and ASCOM
Compatible with MaxIm-DL

WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• ASI120MC-S colour camera
• ST4 cable
• USB cable
• 150-degree lens
• 1.25″ nosepiece with male T-thread
• 1.25″ end cap for above nosepiece
• CD (with instructions, drivers and software, although we recommend downloading the latest versions online)

DOWNLOADS

On the included CD you’ll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers’ websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
We’d recommend to use the beta version of Firecapture as the 2.2 version is not fully functional with the ZWO ASI cameras…

ALL SKY CAMERA
150 degree wide lens included! You don’t even need a telescope to start imaging the stars!

Image courtesy of Scott Anttia.

Specification of ZWO ASI120MC-S

Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Color)
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Rage: 64µs-1000s

ROI: Supported
Interface: USB3.0
Bit rate: 12bit output（12bit ADC）
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 28mm
Weight: 100g

Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Transmission chart of the UV IR-cut off filter used as an optical window in the ZWO ASI120MC CMOS cameras

For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer’s website: ZWOptical

The post ZWO ASI120MC-S Colour 1/3″ CMOS USB3.0 Camera with Autoguider Port appeared first on Modern Astronomy.