Player One Sedna-M USB3.0 Mono Guiding & Planetary Camera (Sony IMX178)
The Player One Sedna-M is a high-resolution mono guiding and planetary camera, built around the proven Sony IMX178 1/1.8" CMOS sensor. With a fine 2.4 µm pixel size, 6.4 MP resolution (3096 × 2078) and up to 60 fps at full frame, it’s an excellent match for precise guiding, lunar and solar imaging and high-detail planetary work.

Part of the acclaimed Dwarf Planet Series, Sedna-M packs serious performance into a compact 1.25" diameter body that slides directly into the focuser of most guide scopes and accessories. Low read noise, high quantum efficiency and robust build quality make it a dependable workhorse for both mobile and permanent setups.

Key Features
- Sony IMX178 mono sensor – 1/1.8" format, 6.4 MP (3096 × 2078).
- Fine 2.4 µm pixels – excellent image scale for detailed lunar, solar and planetary imaging.
- High frame rate – up to 60 fps at full resolution over USB3.0 for sharp lucky imaging stacks.
- Low read noise – typically down to ~1.3–1.4 e⁻ at high gain for clean, sensitive guiding.
- High QE (~80%) – strong sensitivity for faint guide stars and fast exposures.
- 1.25" body design – camera slides directly into standard 1.25" focusers and guide scopes.
- USB3.0 connectivity – fast and stable data transfer; backward compatible with USB2.0.
- ST4 guide port – direct connection to the mount’s autoguider port for reliable guiding.
- DPS (Dead Pixel Suppression) – hardware-level mapping of bad pixels for cleaner raw frames.
- HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode – automatically enabled at higher gain to reduce noise while preserving dynamic range.
Ideal For
- Guiding medium to long-focal-length imaging telescopes.
- Lunar and solar imaging where high resolution and small pixels shine.
- Planetary imaging of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and more with suitable barlowing.
- Electronic assisted astronomy (EAA) with short exposures and live stacking.
Performance & Design
Sedna-M’s combination of small pixels and a relatively large 1/1.8" sensor gives a generous field of view without sacrificing resolution – ideal for full-disc solar work or detailed lunar mosaics. The low read noise and high quantum efficiency help to keep exposures short and responsive, making it easier to lock onto guide stars and freeze seeing for planetary and lunar imaging.

The USB3.0 interface provides high data throughput, allowing full-resolution capture at up to 60 fps (RAW8). Paired with a fast SSD and modern capture software, you can record large data sets for stacking without being bottlenecked by the camera. The integrated ST4 port offers simple, direct mount control for guiding via most equatorial mounts.
As part of the Dwarf Planet Series, the Sedna-M also benefits from DPS technology, where dead or hot pixels are mapped and corrected in hardware, reducing artefacts in your raw data. The automatic HCG mode (enabled above a certain gain) further suppresses noise and helps retain dynamic range, particularly useful when balancing faint detail against bright features.

Technical Specifications
- Sensor: Sony IMX178 1/1.8" CMOS (mono)
- Resolution: 3096 × 2078 (6.4 MP)
- Pixel Size: 2.4 µm
- Chip Size: 7.4 × 5.0 mm (9 mm diagonal)
- Frame Rate: up to 60 fps (10-bit, full resolution over USB3.0)
- Shutter: Rolling
- Exposure Range: 32 µs – 2000 s
- Read Noise: approx. 2.2 – 1.3 e⁻ (depending on gain)
- QE Peak: ~80%
- Full Well Capacity: ~15k e⁻
- ADC: 14-bit
- Data Port: USB3.0 (backwards compatible with USB2.0)
- Guide Port: ST4 (AUTO GUIDE)
- Optical Interface: 1.25" nosepiece / M28.5 × 0.6 thread
- Back Focus: 7.5 mm
- Protective Window: D21 × 1.1 mm, AR-coated
- Body Diameter: 40 mm
- Weight: ~65 g

Compatibility & Software
Sedna-M works with popular Windows astronomy capture software such as SharpCap and FireCapture, and can also be used under other operating systems via compatible drivers and INDI support. Drivers, firmware and manuals are available directly from Player One Astronomy’s support pages.

FAQ
Can I use the Sedna-M for planetary imaging?
Yes. Although Sedna-M is designed primarily as a guiding camera, its small pixels, high frame rate and low read noise make it very capable for planetary, lunar and solar imaging as well.
What kind of guide scope works well with this camera?
Any common 1.25" guide scope will work. A focal length in the 120–300 mm range is a good starting point for most imaging rigs, providing a useful image scale for accurate guiding.
Do I need USB3.0 to use this camera?
The camera is fully compatible with USB2.0, but USB3.0 is recommended to take advantage of the highest frame rates and smoother live views, especially for planetary and solar imaging.
Is the Sedna-M cooled?
No. Sedna-M is an uncooled camera, optimised for short-exposure guiding and high-speed planetary, lunar and solar imaging rather than long-exposure deep-sky work.