QHY Camera 183M Mono (61840)

The QHY183 is designed for those new to astrophotography, offering excellent sensitivity and low noise. The back-illuminated 183 sensor provides even higher sensitivity and better resolution. This model is well-suited for both planetary and deep-sky imaging, especially when paired with the CFW3 filter wheel. It features two-stage thermoelectric cooling, lowering the sensor temperature by up to 40°C below ambient to minimize dark current noise during long exposures.

Anti-Amp Glow Technology

QHY’s Anti-Amp Glow technology dramatically reduces typical CMOS amplifier glow, allowing for highly accurate calibration with dark frames.

Guiding Capabilities

The QHY183 can also function as a guiding camera. It features an opto-isolated guiding port with standard ST-4 configuration using an RJ11 jack. Each camera includes a guiding cable.

Sensor Versatility

The 183’s smaller, high-resolution sensor is ideal for use with short focal length telescopes or for imaging small, faint objects with a large telescope. For a wider field of view, the QHY163 is recommended, especially for larger sky areas like nebulae, or for use with longer focal length telescopes.

Frame Rate

• Full resolution: 19 FPS at 8-bit, 7.5 FPS at 12-bit

ROI (Region of Interest) Modes

• 4096 x 2160 (4K HD Video): 31 FPS at 8-bit, 12 FPS at 12-bit

• 1920 x 1080 (HD Video): 60 FPS at 8-bit, 24 FPS at 12-bit

• 800 x 600 (SVGA): 106 FPS at 8-bit, 42 FPS at 12-bit

• 640 x 480 (VGA): 130 FPS at 8-bit, 53 FPS at 12-bit

Back-Illuminated CMOS Structure

Back-illuminated CMOS design improves sensitivity by letting light reach the photosensitive layer without first passing through metal wiring. This increases quantum efficiency, enabling the sensor to convert more photons to electrons and making it more sensitive to faint objects.

Cooling and Anti-Dew Control

Alongside dual-stage TE cooling, QHYCCD includes proprietary technology to control dark current noise. The optical window has a built-in dew heater, and the camera chamber is protected against internal condensation. An electric heating board prevents dew formation on the window.

Sealing Technology

Drawing on nearly 20 years of cooled camera design, QHY uses advanced sealing solutions. The sensor chamber remains dry with a silicon gel tube socket for humidity control. No oil leaks occur.

Mono or Color Options

• Mono cameras: Support advanced imaging techniques such as LRGB and narrowband, and are useful for applications like spectrometry and photometry.

• Color cameras: Provide a convenient solution for RGB imaging, with no need for additional filters or filter wheels.

Both types produce excellent astroimages. Choose the option that best fits your needs.

Technical Specifications

• Sensor type: CMOS Chip (Sony IMX183)

• Chip size: 13.3 x 8.87 mm

• Megapixels: 20

• Pixel size: 2.4 µm

• Photograph resolution: 5544 x 3684 pixels

• Bit depth: 12

• Active cooling: Yes

• Interfaces: USB 3.0

• Connection to telescope: T2

• Color camera: No

• Maximum cooling difference below room temperature: 35°C

• Maximum exposure time: 60 minutes

• Minimum exposure time: 30 µs

• Images per second: 19 FPS @ 8-bit, 7.5 FPS @ 12-bit

• Read noise: 1.0 – 2.7 e-

• Full well capacity: 15,500 e-

• Flange focal distance: 17.5 mm

• Power supply: 12V

• Shutter: Electronic

• Quantum efficiency: 90%

• Dark current: 0.002 e-/pixel/sec

• Anti-fog heating: Yes

• Buffer memory: 128 MB DDR2

• Infrared filters: No

Equipment

• Filter wheel: No

General

• Weight: 650 g

• Areas of application: AllSky, meteor observation, Moon and planets, nebulae and galaxies

• Autoguider: No