Unlock the wonders of the cosmos with the Altair Astro GPCAM3 385C! This cutting-edge astronomy camera is a stargazer's dream, delivering high-performance imaging and capturing stunning celestial moments with exceptional clarity. Its advanced features and sensitive Sony IMX385 sensor allow for crisp, noise-free astrophotography, while its user-friendly design ensures effortless integration with your telescope setup. Explore the universe like never before and capture awe-inspiring details of planets, galaxies, and nebulae with the Altair Astro GPCAM3 385C - your perfect companion for unforgettable astronomical adventures.

The Altair GPCAM3 385C camera features the new Sony Exmor IMX385 CMOS sensor. It has a larger area of 7.2 x4.05mm and 2mp resolution, and is the "big brother" to the Sony IMX224, with similar super-low read noise.

GPCAM3 385C feature summary:

• Extremely fast camera ideal for Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and the moon. Frame rates well in excess of 250fps are achievable with ROI.
• 2mp Sony IMX385 Exmor Sensor 7.2mm x 4.05mm (larger sensor with more pixels than the 1.2mp / 4.80x3.60mm IMX224).
• Pixel size of 3.75μm ideal for SCTs and long focal lengths for planetary or lunar imaging.
• Exceptionally low read noise of approx. 0.62e electrons (e-) in our tests, making the camera good for solar system imaging / stacking video frames. (See read noise vs. gain chart).
• Saturation (full well) capacity approx. 20Ke electrons (e-).

Planetary imaging: The IMX385 Sony STARVIS sensor is particularly desirable for planetary imaging where high frame rates, low light colour fidelity and  pixel size are well matched for a telescope operating at long focal length. Jupiter and Mars in particular benefit from extremely high frame rates. On most scopes with ROI enabled, 250fps or more is easily achievable. The moon is also an ideal target and in full resolution mode, you can cover larger areas of the moon than is possible with the IMX224 sensor and others. The GPCAM385C is therefore ideal for lunar mosaics with longer focal length scopes.
 
Deepsky and video astronomy: The Altair GPCAM3 385C can be used for long exposure deepsky imaging, and of course video astronomy with the live stacking features in AltairCapture and Sharpcap. Time-lapse all-sky imaging is fully supported in the free AltairCapture software, and the camera can be used with an optional CS-Mount lens to image meteors or aurora. Deepsky imaging software APT and NINA are also fully supported and an ASCOM driver is available for other software.

Autoguiding: GPCAM385C is fully compatible with PHD2 guiding software and any other software which uses ASCOM to guide. It has a larger field than most guide cameras, enabling you to pick up more stars, and the sensitivity, despite being a colour camera, is adequate for autoguiding. The camera has an ST4 auto-guiding port, and can be used to auto-guide with mounts from all the major manufacturers supporting ST4 format, including iOptron, Celestron and Skywatcher.

Specifications

• SONY Exmor STARVIS IMX385 Colour CMOS sensor
• Sensor Size: 1/3" diagonal 6.09mm
• Exposure duration shortest/longest:
• Video mode: 0.105ms (0.000244 secs) / 5000ms or 5 seconds (in Video Mode)
• Trigger mode: 0.105 ms (0.000244 secs) / 1000 secs or 16.66mins (in Trigger Mode)
• Bit depth: 8bit & 12bit modes switchable
• Pixel size microns: 3.75x3.75 um
• Resolution in pixels: 1936x1096
• Recording System: Still Image & Video
• Region Of Interest (ROI): Supported
• Approx. Max frame rates (assuming computer Bus and Hard Drive operating at full bandwidth)*:
• 8 bit mode:
• 1936x1096 127FPS
• 640x480 273FPS ROI
• 320x240 413FPS ROI
• 12 bit mode - approx. 50% of above.
• * Based on average user reports. The shorter the exposure duration, the faster the frame rate. An expensive PC does not guarantee a fast frame rate because bus and motherboard architecture vary. These are realistic frame rates.
• Gain Sensitivity: 2350mv (STARVIS)
• Readout: Progressive Scan
• Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter

What's in the box?

• Camera body.
• 1.5m High-speed USB3.0 cable.
• 1.5m ST4 guide cable.
• 1.25 inch x nosepiece with female 1.25" astronomy filter thread on the front.
• (Optional 2" OD Nosepiece with dual 2 and 1.25" filter threads is available, code GPCAM-2IN)
• CS-Mount insert (12.5mm back-focus) is pre-installed on camera. (Optional 5mm extension adapter is available for C-Mount lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus.)
• UV-IR Blocking Filter with Anti-Reflection coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning).
• Plastic dust cap 1.25".
• Silicon dust cap for sensor.