CMOS Camera ATIK ACIS 2.4 Color

CMOS Camera ATIK ACIS 2.4 Color

ATIK CMOS Camera ACIS 2.4 Color - Sony Sensor with 13.4 mm Diagonal

The ACIS 2.4 is ATIK´s fastest camera yet with full frame speeds of up to 28 fps. Designed not only to exceed the high demands required for scientific imaging, the ACIS 2.4 also performs expertly in astronomical imaging. Manufactured at ATIK´s ISO 9001 certified European premises to the very highest standards, the ACIS 2.4 is designed to provide reliable and excellent service for many years.

The Sony IMX249 CMOS sensor at the heart of the ACIS 2.4 rivals some CCD sensors for sensitivity, whilst the 5.86 µm pixel size ensures that this is a camera suitable even for use with a slower telescopes.

An innovative design based upon the Sony IMX249 sensor, the ACIS 2.4 houses the 2.4MP sensor in a dried, air-tight environment which is sealed to industrial standards to enable condensation free imaging. The camera has low read noise and can image at the rapid speeds at both 12 and 16-bit formats. With the signature Atik blend of form and function, the ACIS 2.4 provides a sensitive, high megapixel sensor at a competitive price point.

The "single shot" color camera offers more comfort, compared with monochrome cameras. Not everyone wants to follow through the laborious L-RGB technique for beautiful colored nebula or planetary images. The color cameras offer a possibility to obtain beautiful images without changing filters.

The ACIS 2.4 also possesses a new case design that has allowed the camera to achieve a cooling delta of -35 °C below ambient, this keeps thermal noise under control, irrespective of where you are imaging from.

Further advantages and features of the ACIS 2.4 color camera:

♦ USB 3.0 for quick download - can also be used with USB 2.0
♦ DDR3 memory buffer to help improve data transfer reliability. Additionally, the use of a memory buffer minimizes amp-glow, which is caused by the slow transfer speeds when the camera is used with a USB 2.0 port.
♦ Powerful Peltier cooling up to 35 °C below Environment
♦ A very light-sensitive CMOS sensor from Sony with 13.4 mm diagonal - 2.4 megapixels
♦ 5.86 µm pixels - also suitable for slower telescopes
♦ Distance T2-thread (female) to camera sensor: 12.5 mm
♦ High sensitivity - fine astronomy camera for dim objects
♦ 12 bit ADC

A Variety of Modes

The Atik ACIS 2.4 offers three different power modes:

♦ PowerSave Mode - allows for the highest quality images to be taken
♦ Normal Mode - the camera operates at its default setting to allow for normal imaging
♦ Fast Mode - takes advantage of the on-board DDR memory to return a constant stream of images. Fast mode increases the frame rate of ACIS 2.4 to 30 FPS. This can increase to 175 FPS through the use of sub framing, and reaching 300 FPS when used with Dusk.

Amp Glow

From the outset, the ACIS 2.4 has benefited from a built-in 256 mb DDR3 image buffer to help remove amp glow and other artifacts caused by data transfer over USB2, all while preventing issues with dropped frames. This makes for a seamless and fast imaging experience, whether you´re taking advantage of the flexibility and low cable weight of USB2, or the fast speeds of USB3.

ATIK´s experience of working with demanding scientific applications has given them an advanced understanding of sealing techniques. This understanding allowed them to create a condensation free environment, and means your desiccant lasts much longer between recharges. They´re using the same quartz fused cover glass as their Atik 4 series cameras to prevent condensation forming on the outside of the glass when the camera´s cooled. This added level of performance and reliability means you can spend less time maintaining your equipment, and more time imaging with it.

Atik´s Signature Software

The ACIS 2.4 is natively compatible with ATIK´s Infinity live stacking software to provide astrophotographers with incredible views of the night sky in a near real-time environment. Their on-the-fly image processing gets you up and running quickly, minimising the learning curve many people experience. However, their advanced functions ensure you are always in control as you steer your way through the night sky

♦ Live continuous stacking
♦ Flexible histogram control, including auto-stretch functions
♦ Live YouTube broadcast integration
♦ Interactive session replay
♦ Focus assist and monitoring tools
♦ Save to FITs, PNG, JPG and TIFF formats

The ACIS 2.4 is also fully compatible with ATIK´s renowned Artemis Capture and Dusk imaging software that gives you full control over your imaging. They also supply a full ASCOM driver so you´re free to use it with your preferred astro imaging software. When used with Dusk, the ACIS 2.4 can not only be used as a cooled deep sky imaging camera but can also be used for high speed planetary imaging with frame rates reaching 300 frames per second using the ROI function.