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SBIG new high performance Aluma® CCD Series cameras offer capabilities and features not available in any other scientific-grade imaging camera. This lightweight (2.2 lbs) and compact (4.5″ x 4.5″ x 4″ with handles) camera includes two-stage cooling, USB 2.0 interface, ultra-reliable even-illumination shutter, and fast low-noise readout.
The Aluma CCD series supports a wide range of accessories, including the 8-position FW8S-Aluma filter wheel with micron-level filter positioning, StarChaser SC-2 off-axis guide camera, and AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory.
The Aluma CCD694 has a high-sensitivity, low-noise 6 megapixel CCD sensor with 4.54 micron pixels. It is ideal for taking high spatial resolution, long duration exposures with minimal amp glow, dark current, and noise. It also includes the ability to perform high ratio analog binning, which is important for applications such as spectroscopy.
Aluma CCD is a new generation of research cameras tuned for even better performance. Over two years of collaboration with university researchers helped us bring you an enhanced new Aluma CCD series that represent the best value in a high-performance mid-sized 16-bit CCD detector. We have carefully refined the camera electronics for improved performance, minimum amp glow, and low noise. Using SONY’s best-in-class CCDs, you’ll get the precision and ultra-clean images of a CCD with the sensitivity of CMOS technology.
A Crescent and a Bubble by Tony Hallas – Aluma CCD694 image.
The ICX-694 CCD is one of the best optical sensors ever produced, with peak quantum efficiency over 75%, very broad spectral sensitivity, and extraordinary blue sensitivity. It also has very low read noise, large dynamic range, and extremely low dark current. This combination of high sensitivity and very low noise means you get cleaner, deeper images – faster.
Thanks to our supply agreement in place with the manufacturer, we can continue to purchase new sensors through 2025.
All Aluma CCD models ship with MaxIm LT for Windows – a special version of MaxIm DL specific to our cameras. Aluma CCD also supports third-party applications through ASCOM and native drivers.
Aluma CCD cameras measure just 4.25″ x 4.25″ x 4.0″ with handles (3.5″ without handles) and weigh just 2.2 lbs (1 kg).
The Aluma CCD694 has electronic shuttering, for a minimum exposure of 0.001s. In addition it has a high reliability mechanical shutter, which facilitates accurate dark/bias calibration frames.
The Aluma CCD694 uses the popular 6 megapixel SONY ICX-694ALG sensor. This sensor has 2750 x 2200 pixels at 4.54 microns square, for a 14.6 mm x 12.8 mm chip size.
This is a high sensitivity interline CCD sensor with extremely low dark current and very low read noise. Combining this high-performance sensor with Aluma CCD’s high cooling performance and low readout noise results in exceptionally clean images.
This sensor includes microlens technology that concentrates light on the sensitive area of each pixel. The CCD’s sensitivity peaks in the center of the visible spectrum at 550 nm, and maintains high sensitivity throughout the visible spectrum. The ICX-694 is particularly good in the blue compared to other sensors on the market.
All Aluma CCD cameras include our powerful new SmartCooling technology. The two-stage cooler, powerful fans, and advanced heat sink designed using thermal flow simulation combine to produce typical cooling delta from ambient of -50C. This is quite a feat considering the Aluma CCD’s very compact and lightweight package.
SmartCooling automatically adjusts the fan speed to optimize cooler performance and power consumption. The camera’s firmware is constantly monitoring the sensor and heat sink temperatures, as well as controlling the cooler power. When full cooling power is needed – when ramping down or running near full power – the fans ramp up to their maximum speed, resulting in the strongest possible cooling. When less cooling power is needed the fans automatically slow to reduce noise levels and power consumption. SmartCooling also prevents any possibility of overheating by backing off power if the heat sink gets too hot – so you don’t need to worry if your camera is baking in a hot observatory during the day.
All Aluma CCD cameras come with our MaxIm LT software – a $249 value! MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software that provides complete control of your camera, filter wheel, and autoguider, plus advanced image processing capabilities. If you wish you can upgrade to MaxIm DL Pro to get complete observatory integration and even more processing and analysis capabilities.
Each Aluma CCD camera package includes:
The optional FW8S-Aluma 8-position filter wheel includes a positive centering mechanism that precisely centers each filter in the exact same position every time. This single-pixel accuracy completely eliminates ghost images of dust spots and other artifacts after flat-fielding.
Positive detent mechanism provides single-pixel filter position accuracy
Precision flat-fielding with utlra-accurate indexing
The left-hand image shows a dust spot on the filters. A flat-field calibration frame was taken, then the filter wheel was rotated several times before taking a second picture, which was flat-field calibrated, at right. No evidence of the dust spot is visible. This high precision results in the highest quality images and excellent photometric accuracy.
The Aluma wheel holds standard 36 mm filters, and inserts are available for 1-1/4″ filters, which are suitable for smaller format CCD sensors.
The Aluma filter wheel replaces the camera’s front plate, resulting in the minimum possible back-focus, ensuring that the camera / filter wheel combination will reach focus on the widest possible variety of optical systems.
The optional AFW-16-36R filter wheel, attached via AFW to Small Format Camera Adapter, provides for a full sixteen 36 mm filters. Please note that the AFW wheels work with large format accessories, and do not accommodate screw-in 1-1/4″ filters due to their height.
For astronomical imaging the Aluma CCD series works the the StarChaser SC-2 Off-Axis Guide Camera. This provides reliable guiding with no impact from optical train flexure. It also supports operation of the optional AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory.
All Aluma CCD models can operate with the AO-8A Adaptive Optics accessory. The AO-8A uses a tip-tilt window to quickly and precisely adjust the image position in response to autoguider feedback. With Adaptive Optics there is no backlash, stiction, or lag, and the movements are extremely precise and accurate. This allows the AO-8A to not only remove the effects of periodic error, drift, and wind gusts, but also reduce the effects of atmospheric seeing.
For more information please see AO-8A.
| OAG Option |
StarChaser |
|---|---|
| Antiblooming |
y |
| Sensor Size |
12.48 mm x 9.98 mm |
| Pixel Size |
4.54 |
| Total Pixels |
6 million pixels |
| Imaging / Pixel Array |
2750 x 2200 |
| Imaging Sensor |
ICX-694 |
| Full Well Capacity |
18,000 e- |
| Dark Current e-/p/s |
0.025 e-/p/s typical |
| Filter Wheel Option |
y |
| Shutter |
Mechanical, Even-illumination |
| Power |
12 VDC, 5A max |
| Adaptive Optics Option |
Y |
| Pixel Digitization Rate |
8 MPix/sec |
| Computer Interface |
USB 2.0 |
| Exposure |
0.001 sec minimum |
| Cooling Delta |
50 °C |
| Read Noise (typ) |
4.5 e- typical |
| A/D Converter |
16 bits |
| Weight |
2.2 lbs |
| Filter Size |
36mm / 1.25" |
| Temperature Regulation |
y |
| Peak QE |
75% |
| Full Frame Download |
~1 sec via USB, ~6 sec via WiFi |
| Binning Modes |
Horizontal 1, 2, 3, 4; Vertical 1-255 |
Each Aluma CCD camera package includes:
Filter Wheel & Starchaser Package:
Pro Package:
FW8S-Aluma filter wheel
StarChaser SC-2
36 mm LRGB filter set
36 mm Narrowband 3 filter set
Ultimate Package:
FW8S-Aluma filter wheel
StarChaser SC-2
AO-8A Adaptive Optics
36 mm LRGB filter set
36 mm Narrowband 3 filter set
