Atik Infinity Color CCD camera for video astronomy.
The Atik Infinity is the first Atik camera dedicated entirely to video astronomy with the speed and sensitivity required to enjoy this rewarding technique in high quality. Through Atik's intuitive new software, the Infinity brings the wonders of the deep sky to your screen in a matter of seconds.
The Atik Infinity features a Sony ICX825 sensor with EXview HAD CCD II ™, the technology that brings exceptional sensitivity and maximum quantum efficiency along with adequate resolution to optimize the viewing of astronomical objects in real time. The generous pixel size of 6.45 microns is well suited to a wide range of telescopes, while the slim, rectangular design ensures that the camera can be installed seamlessly on telescopes equipped with fork mounts. This makes the Atik Infinity a very versatile camera compatible with a wide variety of configurations and users, from those starting out in astrophotography to the professional observatory.
New software.
Along with the camera comes new software designed exclusively for managing video astronomy imaging. It features a simple and intuitive user interface to provide optimal ease of use without compromising camera control or performance. Thanks to its continuous image stacking system it eliminates live background noise so you immediately see more than you ever dreamed possible, and flexible histogram settings ensure you never miss a detail.
The camera also incorporates innovative built-in broadcasting features that allow you to share your sky in one click. Together with voice-over and live chat your next astronomical observation will be a truly interactive experience, ideal for informative and educational observations. The software also features a session log and interactive playback of the session once it has been recorded so you can share it with all your friends, family, students...
Outstanding features:
- Continuous live stacking
- Flexible histogram control, including self-stretching features
- Integrated broadcasting possibility via YouTube
- Interactive session playback
- Focus assist and monitoring tools
- Possibility to save your images in FIT, PNG and JPG formats
The video astronomy technique is ideal for use in public outreach programs and educational environments. It allows you to observe faint deep sky objects in incredible detail for all attendees and maintains (and enhances) the feeling and excitement of telescopic observing without the need to queue up avoiding the crowd around an eyepiece.
With the option of incorporating either a mono sensor or a color sensor, the Atik Infinity camera is ideal for those who prioritize absolutely the finest details, as well as those who want to explore the universe in full color beyond the sensitivity of the human eye.
Versatility.
While other astronomy video cameras are often developed as versions of guide cameras or cameras used in security applications, the Atik Infintiy is based on a fantastic high-end camera, a 16-bit camera originally developed for high-resolution microscopy applications. This makes it a perfect solution for capturing high-quality live images, designed to satisfy even the most demanding users.
That said, the Atik Infinity can also be used as an exceptional guide camera, with a standard ST4 guide port for direct connection to your mount. And in case video astronomy and high-end guiding are not your main focus, the Infinity is also fully compatible with all existing software packages, making it well suited for use as a primary camera in your main astrophotography setup.
Atik's philosophy has always been to make astrophotography accessible to as many people as possible, but with the highest quality for both the beginner and the professional. We also believe in the power of astrophotography to provide incredible views in the night sky that are simply not possible with visual observation.
But at Telescopiomania we also recognize that many people want to see the wonders of the deep sky without the long exposures and sometimes tedious post-processing involved in quality astrophotography. The Atik Infinity makes these objects observable in near real-time, and allows this experience to be shared with family and friends.
Although objects in our solar system can be observed using webcams, deep-sky video astronomy still faces a number of challenges, from detecting very weak signals to reducing background noise. So at Atik they have learned from their experience in astrophotography and applied it to create this new camera specially designed for video astronomy.
In addition to seeing objects too faint for an eyepiece, a great benefit of video astronomy is that it allows objects to be shown in color. At Telescopiomania we have the Infinity with a choice of a mono sensor or a single-shot color sensor. The mono sensor is ideal for those whose top priority is sensitivity, while the color option allows you to see colors that the human eye alone is not sensitive enough to detect.
With a new design, the Infinity is a very different kind of camera. It still features a standard 12V electrical and USB connection, but incorporates an innovative, very slim rectangular design, as well as having an ST4 guiding port so that it can function as a high-end guiding camera.
Another notable improvement in camera design and weight is that the Infinity is uncooled. The thermal noise of the ICX825 sensor is so low at short exposures that it can be successfully managed through the new custom control software.
To get the absolute best performance from the Infinity, Atik has created a custom software application for the Infinity, designed and optimized specifically for video astronomy. Our favorite features include continuous live stacking, the intelligent histogram function, and the ability to easily switch between real-time object search and display. You can see some examples that speak for themselves of this camera's capabilities.
Technical features:
- Camera body with 1.25'' adapter
- New Infinity software for Astronomy video
- 3 meter USB cable
- 1.8 meter power connector
- CD-ROM with drivers, software and user manual (PDF)
- Quick Start Guide (paper)
- Capture software for camera control and data acquisition, and plug-ins to enable use with Astroart and Maxim DL
- Optional universal power adapter (110-230V)
- Sensor Type: CCD - Sony ICX825
- Horizontal resolution: 1392 pixels
- Vertical Resolution: 1040 pixels
- Pixel Size: 6.45 M x 6.45 M
- ADC: 16 bit
- Noise: Typical 6e-value
- Frame rate: 2-3 frames per second
- Interface: Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and ST4 guide port compatible
- Power: 12 V DC 1A
- Maximum exposure length: 120 s
- Minimum exposure length: 1/1000 s
- Cooling: Passive
- Weight: approx. 340 gr
- Backfocus: 13mm
- Available with mono or color sensor
System requirements:
- Pentium III PC with 128 MB RAM
- Windows 10 / Vista / Win7 / Win8 (no RT)
- CD ROM drive
- USB 2.0 port
Atik Infinity Color CCD camera for video astronomy.
