The ToupTek Astro full-frame deep-sky cooled camera, SkyEye62AC/SkyEye62AM, is equipped with the SONY IMX455 full-frame color/monochrome sensor. It features a no-glow design and an effective resolution of 61.17 megapixels (9568 x 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 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.
- Shorter Back Focus Length: By removing the 5 mm top adapter, a back focus of 12.5 mm can be achieved. For custom adapter solutions, all top adapters can be removed to reduce the back focus further to 8 mm.
- Easier Adaptation: Without changing the connection method of any accessories, the 5 mm adapter can be removed and relocated in front of the filter wheel to achieve a 12.5 mm back focus.
- More Flexible Sensor Adjustment: Along with achieving a 12.5 mm 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, improving image quality.
Comparison
The following images compare horizontal banding before and after the SkyEye62AM upgrade at a room temperature of 27 C, cooled to -6 C, 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.
From the images above, it can be observed that the optimized circuit design of the SkyEye62AM effectively eliminated horizontal banding during long-exposure photography. The resulting images are clean, helping make post-processing more efficient.
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.
LCG Mode Bias Frame Comparison
In LCG mode, the exposure was 0s and gain was set to 100. One image was captured using Low Noise Mode.
HCG Mode Bias Frame Comparison
In HCG mode, the exposure was 0s and gain was set to 100. One image was captured using Low Noise Mode.
