Product Description

Build Your Complete System

We recommend using the Build Complete System option, which allows you to add all necessary accessories such as Fiber Ethernet components, filter wheel, and other accessories.

Build Complete System

 

SBIG Aluma AC461

The SBIG Aluma AC461 represents the state-of-the-art in Advanced Scientific CMOS cameras for astronomical imaging systems.  Designed for reliability and performance, this camera ensures that you get the most from your telescope.

The Aluma AC461 incorporates a 10 Gigabit per second fiber Ethernet interface.  This avoids the pitfalls of USB 3.0 such as short cable lengths, unreliable drivers, and electrical noise.

The Aluma AC461 is designed for demanding applications requiring high-quality, high-resolution imaging including:

• Astronomical imaging
• Space Domain Awareness
• Telescope arrays
• OEM and custom imaging systems
• Scientific research
• Spectroscopy and photometry
• Remote observatories

The AC461 is particularly well suited to synchronized multi-camera systems for applications such as multispectral satellite imaging, telescope arrays, and wide-area surveys.

Extremely High Sensitivity and Dynamic Range

IMX461 sensors have a combination of super-low 1.1 e- read noise (typical at 3X gain), 51,000 e- well depth, and 16-bit conversion, providing very high dynamic range.  Our electronics are carefully designed to ensure a stable bias level, simplifying calibration and quantitative measurements.

Thanks to a back-illuminated pixel design, the quantum efficiency is extremely high, providing exceptional sensitivity and minimizing integration times.  The QE curve is similar to that for the IMX455 sensor:

The above graph shows the absolute quantum efficiency curve for the IMX455 monochrome sensor as measured by an independent university researcher.  The IMX461 uses the same pixel design.  The sensor features a peak quantum efficiency of 94% at 480 nm.

High-Speed 10 Gb Ethernet

Fast image transfer without the distance limitations of USB. Fiber connectivity supports long cable runs and electrically isolates the camera from the host computer—ideal for remote observatories and multi-camera installations.

The Aluma AC461 uses an SFP+ fiber Ethernet interface. SFP+ hardware is readily available and widely supported, and allows for cable lengths up to 100x longer than USB 3.0 (300m / 1,000ft versus a mere 3m / 10ft).  SFP+ fiber cables are highly flexible, lightweight, and durable, meaning that installation is a breeze even on very large telescopes.

The 102 megapixel sensor reads out into the camera’s internal DDR3 frame buffer in just 0.37 seconds, and the camera’s fiber Ethernet interface transmits the image in 0.35 seconds. This means that a high-performance computer can achieve up to 1.35 frames per second.

A handy primer on SFP+ fiber Ethernet is available in Appendix F of the Aluma AC461 User Manual User Manual.

Precision GPS Timing

The optional ATU-1 GPS timing unit provides accurate image timestamps with 0.1 ms resolution to support applications requiring precise time correlation, including satellite tracking and orbit determination.

Powerful SmartCooling™ Technology

Achieving high-quality long-exposure images requires strong cooling and stable temperature regulation.

The Aluma AC461 features powerful two-stage thermoelectric cooling.  It uses the same highly reliable thermoelectric cooling system first developed for our venerable SBIG STX series cameras. The sensor and thermoelectric cooler are connected to the heat sink via an all-copper cooling stack. This ensures that the displayed sensor temperature is actually achieved, resulting in lower dark current and fewer hot pixels.

Our SmartCooling technology automatically optimizes fan speed, allowing minimal acoustic noise when cooling requirements are low, while ensuring thermal stability and reliability at high power levels.  It also protects the camera against possible damage if the heat sink temperature or cooler power draw exceeds safety limits.

Critical electronics are cooled via a separate heat sink and fan, minimizing their impact on sensor cooling.

The SBIG Aluma AC461 includes optional water cooling. Water circulation allows you to maintain a lower operating temperature in warm environments.  The water fittings of the Aluma AC461 cameras accept tubing with 1/4 inch inside diameter.

All functions of the Aluma AC461 camera, including cooling, operate from a single 12 VDC 8A power supply.

User Rechargeable Desiccant

SBIG pioneered including a high-tech user-replaceable cartridge with ceramic filter and molecular sieve desiccant. Unlike competing cameras, which require factory service when their chamber desiccant eventually saturates out, the user can easily recharge the desiccant.  This eliminates the need for costly service – not to mention the associated down-time and shipping costs.  This feature is especially important in high-humidity locations.

The desiccant cartridge can be easily removed without dismounting the camera from the telescope, as it is accessible via a small door on the side of the camera.

We recommend recharging the desiccant every two years; once a year in high humidity environments.  This not only eliminates any risk of downtime, it ensures that your sensor never gets contaminated or corroded by moisture accumulation.

Electronic Shutter

The SONY IMX461 sensor features an electronic rolling shutter.  No mechanical shutter is required for normal operation.

To facilitate dark frame subtraction, the Aluma AC461 can use an SBIG filter wheel as a dark frame shutter.  An opaque “filter” (included) can be installed in a user-designated filter slot; the camera will automatically use that as its dark frame shutter when needed.  This facilitates convenient sensor calibration especially in remote/robotic installations.

Quality You Can Trust

Engineered, assembled, and tested at our ISO 9001-certified facility in Ottawa, Canada, the AC461 uses a high-quality Sony IMX461 CMOS sensor.  Backed by our industry-leading warranty, you can be assured that this camera will provide reliable performance over a long lifetime.  Our user-rechargeable desiccant system ensures long-term frost-free operation without the need for periodically returning the camera for service.

Optional Filter Wheel

The Aluma AC461 is compatible with the SBIG AFW-12-65SQ Filter Wheel.  This wheel contains two carousels with six 65 mm filter slots.  This allows for up to 10 filters, or 9 filters plus a dark frame slot.  Filters can also be stacked using the two carousels.  Despite providing two carousels this wheel is only 1.1″ (28 mm) thick.

For higher f/ratio telescopes, you may also consider the SBIG AFW-10-50SQ Filter Wheel.  Supporting up to ten 50 mm square filters, this wheel is only 0.55″ (14 mm) thick.

The AFW mounts directly to the front of the camera.  Installation and cabling is greatly simplified as both power and control is provided directly by the camera’s I2C AUX port.

I2C AUX Port

All SBIG cameras include a convenient auxiliary control port (also known as an I2C AUX port), which controls the filter wheel and provides optional external trigger interfaces.

Operating System Compatibility

Our standard DL Imaging drivers support Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (x64) and Windows 11 (x64).  Additional operating systems can be accommodated; engineering charges may apply.

An industry-standard ASCOM driver is also available, allowing you to control the camera from popular Windows-based astronomy applications.

MaxIm LT Software

All SBIG cameras come with our MaxIm LT software – a $249 value! MaxIm LT is a special version of our venerable MaxIm DL software for Windows 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.

Choice of Adapter Plate

We now offer a choice of adapter plates.

Currently available adapter plates include:

• Standard SBIG STX style (default)
• 3″ Barrel style

Included Accessories

All Aluma AC cameras include a deluxe carrying case, universal power supply, Aluma AC power extension cable, your choice of adapter plates, and MaxIm LT software.

Required Fiber Network Components

The Aluma AC461 uses a fiber Ethernet connection.  You will need:

• OM3 or OM4 fiber optic cable with LC connectors on each end.
• A pair of SFP+ transceivers with LC connectors, one for each end of the cable.
• An SFP+ port on your computer.  If your computer does not have one, then you can use a Thunderbolt port, PCIe card, or a format converter to regular copper wire Ethernet.  The following options are available:
  • Thunderbolt 3 or 4 to SFP+ adapter.
  • PCIe SFP+ card.
  • Format converter box for SFP+ fiber and RJ45 copper.

All of these are readily available – information on sources is included in the User Manual.  For your convenience these components can be ordered with the camera.  Please note that the transceivers we supply are rated for industrial temperature range and are therefore suitable for winter temperatures.  If you are in a temperate climate you may be able to use less-expensive modules.

 

Ordering

Use Build Complete System to add all necessary accessories such as Fiber Ethernet components, filter wheel, and other accessories.

Build Complete System