Player One Ares-M PRO (IMX533) 9MP Mono Camera Cooled Camera Astronomy Camera w/ Carbon Fiber Shell

Player One Ares-M PRO (IMX533) 9MP Mono Camera Cooled Camera Astronomy Camera w/ Carbon Fiber Shell



Features:
The DSO camera series is the most advanced product line in the history of Player One. We started working on the project in 2021. After many revisions and rebuilds, we came up with this final version. It projects our new technology and design, and we are proud to introduce enthusiasts to the many features of the cooled camera series.


Power supply is not include in camera package. A high quality 12V 5A power supply is recommended.

Download drivers and software: http://player-one-astronomy.com/service/software/

Download manuals: http://player-one-astronomy.com/service/manuals/

Product Description:


Ares-M Pro (IMX533) camera is not only great for DSO imaging, and also can do solar and lunar imaging too. Ares-M Pro camera adopts IMX533 1" square format monochrome sensor for Sony. The 3.76um pixel size accommodates a well depth of 73Ke with a total of 9MP (the resolution is 3008*3008), and the diagonal is 16mm.


Technology for STARVIS
Ares-M Pro (IMX533) camera is based on the technology for Sony STARVIS. It is a back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS image sensors.


Format
Ares-M Pro camera has 1" format. This size is quite big for imaging.


Highlights:
Cutting-edge Design
The Ares cooled series is starting with a new design! With a round body and a classic red and black color scheme, a carbon fiber shell that can better reduce its own weight and make it more technological! We have also integrated a target plane adjustment ring and an anti-condensation heating plate into this small cooled camera. The design of this series is not only lightweight and beautiful, but also has a lot of essential camera functions.


Front 3P and Rear 4P Tilter Plates
When you are taking pictures of deep sky objects, the sensor tilt plate can be used to adjust the sensor tilt angle to get a rounder, four-pointed star. Ares camera provides both front and rear tilter plates to meet all astronomical shooting scenarios.


Front 3P tilter plate is the default part on the camera. We believe that most users have experienced with this before. It works well in a lot of basic scenarios.

Rear 4P tilter plate is an alternate part for the camera. When you use a filter wheel/filter drawer and OAG with fixed angel, it is necessary. And it is also convenient for RASA users to adjust the sensor tilt angel.

The built-in high-density sponge shading pad can block the light from the side slits without any side leakage.

Carbon Fiber and Light Weight
The Ares series uses a carbon fiber camera housing and has been optimized for weight reduction in its structural design. The camera weighs only 420 grams, making it one of the lightest models on the market.


Deep Cooling
Player One cooled camera series uses 2 Stage TEC Cooling unit. After improving the structure design to reject the heat back to camera chamber, Camera Delta-T can reach 35-40℃.

Anti-Dew Heater
In the design of lightweight cooled cameras, Player One still pursues the perfection. How to prevent condensation is a problem that many small cooled cameras overlook.


Full Well
Ares-M Pro camera has a full-well charge of 73Ke, which is more than 1.5 times that of the IMX533 standard full-well. A larger full-well reduces the likelihood of overexposure and allows for a richer image.


Frame Rate
Ares-M Pro camera can run 43FPS under RAW8 mode. That's much faster than existing models on the market.


Dual Sampling Mode
Ares series has dual sampling mode, namely normal mode and LRN mode. They have different advantages in imaging.

1. Normal mode has faster FPS. Thus, it is more suitable for planetary imaging.


2. LRN (low readout noise) mode has lower readout noise and higher dynamic range. It is more suitable for DSO imaging.


Non-Amp-Glow
Dark frame of Ares-M PRO (IMX533) camera is totally "dark". It is also a "Non-Amp-Glow" camera!

300s at gain=0, offset=10, -10 degree, dark frame of Ares-M PRO camera: Click to download https://player-one-astronomy.com/download/Dark%20Frames/Ares-M%20camera%20gain0%20offset100%20temp-10deg.fits.zip

Preview of dark frame: Exposure=300s, gain=0, offset=10, temp=-10℃ STF auto-Stretch in Pixinsight 1.86

Non-Amp-Glow can give us a very clean background, making it easier to get high quality images.

Ares-M PRO camera is also very good for solar, lunar and planetary imaging. Its 1" square sensor can easily collect full disk of the Sun and Moon with short focal refractors. And it also could make mosaic work more efficient.

512MB DDR3 Cache
As an improvement, DDR3 cache in cooled cameras is increased to 512MB. It helps stabilize and secure data transmission, effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces readout noise.

With the DDR3 cache, the camera does not have high demands on computing any longer. But it still has an excellent performance even if it is connected to a USB 2.0 port.

Type-C Data Port and Power Port
The rear panel of the camera has two Type-C data ports and a 12V DC 5.5×2.1mm power interface.


The main data port supports the USB 3.0 protocol, and the camera can run at 43fps in RAW8 mode. When you're assembling devices at night, the Type-C port supports double-sided plugging, so it's easier to connect.

When you're recording video, the actual write speed will be affected by the hard drive itself. When the hard disk writes slowly, the recording may not reach the theoretical speed. It is recommended that you use a good SSD to record data to get the most out of your camera.

The camera has a 12V DC5.5*2.1mm interface, which provides enough power for the TEC system. If you don't need to turn on cooling, you only need to connect the main Type-C port to use the camera as an uncooled camera.

Standard Cable Use:


Cooling System and Dew Removal System
In the ASCOM window, we provide 3 adjustable parameters: cooling target temperature, fan speed, and anti-condensation power.

Maximum refrigeration temperature difference: 35-40°C. The test conditions are ambient temperature 30°C, 100% fan speed and 1% anti-condensation power.

Recommended parameters: 30-35°C, fan speed setting 50%-70%, anti-condensation power 10%, and power consumption about 40-60%.

The speed of the cooling fan is also adjustable, with a default value of 50%.

Condensation is the enemy of astronomical imaging, and an anti-condensation heater is integrated on the front of the camera with adjustable heating power.


Over-voltage and Over-current Protection Mechanisms
The camera ensures the safety of your camera and other equipment through over-voltage and over-current protection mechanisms.

Performance:
HCG open at gain=125.


Readout Noise
Regarding readout noise, we solemnly promise that all values are obtained from actual tests. You can use the software for Sharpcap 4 to test. SC4 has a function called Sensor Analysis, providing a very simple way to test readout noise.

We wrote a tutorial on website: https://player-one-astronomy.com/service/manuals/

If you are interested in readout noise testing, you can try it by yourselves because it is very simple.

Dark Current
The dark current is only 0.000044 e/s/pix at -20℃, and 0.000996e/s/pix at 0℃. In entire curve, dark current is almost like a straight a line, which can prove that Ares camera has a very good quality and stable performance.


Absolute QE Curve


Mechanical Drawing:


BFL Solutions:
Following is some recommend 55mm BFL solutions for this camera. If you don't consider about BFL, the connection way is various.

Packing List:


Users Work:

Roger Hyman-Redcat51 + Ares-M PRO


Bubble nebula-Luke Newbould-8inch Newtonian + Ares-M PRO



Packaging Details:
- G.W.: 1.5kg