New Version: Appearance and Performance Updates of SkyEye62AM/AC

ToupTek Astronomy camera

New Version: Appearance and Performance Updates of SkyEye62AM/AC

The ToupTek Astro full-frame deep-sky cooled camera, SkyEye62AC/AM, is equipped with the SONY IMX455 full-frame color/monochrome sensor, featuring a no-glow design and an effective resolution of 61.17 megapixels (9568×6380). Its native 16-bit ADC chip provides high sampling resolution, with readout noise ranging from 2.58 to 0.89e- (C) / 2.8 to 0.9e- (M).

As the flagship representative of ToupTek Astro full-frame deep-sky cameras, the SkyEye series delivers an exceptional astrophotography experience for deep-sky imaging enthusiasts.

 

New Appearance

The front interface of the SkyEye62AC/AM has been completely redesigned, offering a smaller back focus compared to the previous generation. This enhances the compatibility and versatility of accessory connections, providing more room for adjustments.

  1. Shorter Back Focus Length: By removing the 5mm top adapter, a back focus of 12.5mm can be achieved. For custom adapter solutions, all top adapters can be removed to reduce the back focus further to 8mm.

  2. Easier Adaptation: Without changing the connection method of any accessories, the 5mm adapter can be removed and relocated in front of the filter wheel to achieve a 12.5mm back focus.

  3. More Flexible Sensor Adjustment: Along with achieving a 12.5mm back focus, the M54 sensor adjustment ring allows for four-point rear sensor adjustment.

 

Better Imaging Performance

The SkyEye62AC/AM cameras are built around the SONY IMX455 color/monochrome image sensor, offering two readout modes: LCG (Low Conversion Gain) for low-gain imaging and HCG (High Conversion Gain) for high-gain imaging, along with a Low Noise Mode designed to reduce readout noise.

This upgrade of the SkyEye62AC/AM cameras focuses on optimizing the core circuitry of the imaging system. The primary improvement is a significant reduction in horizontal banding in image backgrounds. When using HCG and Low Noise Mode in combination with low frame rate settings, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is greatly enhanced, significantly improving image quality.

 

Comparison

Testing the horizontal banding in image backgrounds before and after the upgrade of the SkyEye62AM at a room temperature of 27°C, cooled to -6°C, and using HCG mode with Low Noise enabled and a gain of 100:

  • Capture a bias frame with 0s exposure and a dark frame with 300s exposure.

  • Compare single-frame images after high-intensity stretching to evaluate improvements in horizontal banding.

SkyEye62AM/AC

Figure 1 Exposure 0s Before Upgrade

SkyEye62AM/AC

Figure 2 Exposure 0s After Upgrade

SkyEye62AM/AC

Figure 3 Exposure 300s Before Upgrade

SkyEye62AM/AC

Figure 4 Exposure 300s After Upgrade

From the images above, it can be observed that the optimized circuit design of the SkyEye62AM has effectively eliminated horizontal banding during long-exposure photography. The resulting images are clean and noise-free, ensuring high-quality captures and making post-processing much more efficient and hassle-free.

 

Imaging Performance After Upgrade

At an ambient temperature of -25°C, the SkyEye62AM was cooled to its minimum temperature of -30°C, with a gain of 100 and an exposure time of 0 seconds. The test was conducted for approximately 35 hours, during which bias images were captured in both LCG and HCG modes.

1.     In LCG mode, Exposure 0s, Gain set to 100 (bias frames, with one image captured using Low-Noise Mode)

SkyEye62AM/AC

SkyEye62AM/AC

2.     In HCG mode, Exposure 0s, Gain set to 100 (bias frames, with one image captured using Low-Noise Mode)

SkyEye62AM/AC

SkyEye62AM/AC


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