Apollo-M MAX Pro (IMX432) is a cooled monochrome solar imaging camera developed by Player One Astronomy. It uses the large Sony IMX432 1.1″ global shutter sensor with a 9µm pixel size, offering an exceptional 100ke full well capacity. This makes it particularly well suited to high-dynamic-range solar and lunar imaging.
Sensor & Imaging Performance
Built on Sony Pregius 3rd-generation global shutter technology, the IMX432 delivers excellent uniformity, low noise, and precise exposure control—critical for solar imaging where rolling shutter artefacts are unacceptable.
- Sensor: Sony IMX432 (monochrome)
- Resolution: 1608 × 1104 (1.7 MP)
- Pixel size: 9µm
- Diagonal: 17.5 mm
- Full well: 100 ke
Cooling & Dew Control
The camera uses a dual-stage TEC cooling system, achieving a ΔT of up to 35–40°C below ambient temperature. A built-in anti-dew heater is integrated in front of the sensor and is fully adjustable via software.
Mechanical Design
The Apollo-M MAX Pro features a lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced housing, keeping total weight to just 420 g. Both front 3-point and rear 4-point sensor tilt plates are supported, allowing precise tilt correction in complex imaging trains including filter wheels and OAGs.
Electronics & Connectivity
- DDR3 cache: 512 MB for stable, loss-free data transfer
- Data ports: Dual USB-C (USB 3.0 supported)
- Power: 12V DC 5.5 × 2.1 mm (cooling optional)
- Max frame rate: Up to 126 fps (RAW8)
Noise & Dynamic Range
High Conversion Gain (HCG) automatically activates at gain ≥ 145, reducing read noise to as low as 2.6e at high gain while maintaining excellent dynamic range. Amp-glow is present but very smooth and easily calibrated.
What’s Included
Designed specifically for demanding solar and lunar imaging applications, the Apollo-M MAX Pro combines large pixels, deep cooling, and precise mechanical control in a lightweight, observatory-grade camera body.
