ZWO ASI992MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera
ZWO ASI992MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera
If you need to push the boundaries of the dedicated astronomy camera design, ZWO introduces the ZWO ASI992MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera: featuring the deep IR sensitivity of their SWIR camera line, with more resolution than ever before. Sony's IMX992 and ZWO's experience in hardware and driver compatibility pair up in this offering for an incredibly capable and reliable option for your critical observations. If enhanced spectrum sensitivity with high resolution is what you're after, then this is the instrument for you.
Where typical dedicated astronomy camera offerings see 10% or less quantum efficiency at 1000 nm, ZWO's SWIR line of cameras excel; with the ZWO ASI992MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera seeing its peak QE of 80% out at 1200 nm. This impressive sensitivity is reached while still retaining respectable performance in the visible spectrum, and stretching even beyond 1200 nm with a limit of around 1700-1800 nm. The ability to see into this deep IR range is what ZWO states allows this camera to defeat thin clouds, fog, and even daytime conditions; able to capture stars even after sunrise. This incredible performance stems from the Sony IMX992 chip at the heart of this instrument. Boasting more resolution than previous ZWO SWIR offerings, the ASI992MM Pro delivers 5.3 MP frames from its 2592x2056, 3.45μm pixel array. These pixels offer a high full-well depth capacity of 62.8 Ke, and the sensor is capable of capturing 12 bit data.
A High Performance, Pro-Level Camera for Astrophotography
Let's Dig into the Data!
What sets one astrophotography camera apart from another? How is performance measured? Camera and sensor manufacturers provide certain interconnected specifications that give insight into the performance of a camera. These measurements include quantum efficiency, read noise, full well depth, gain, dynamic range, and dark current. While the graphs provided by the manufacturer may be confusing or intimidating, don't fret! Our team has put together a breakdown of these complicated topics to help you make sense of them. Take a look at the article here: Understanding ZWO Camera Charts and Graphs, and feel more confident making the right choice for your astrophotography needs!
High Resolution Infrared Choice
With IR sensitivity exceeding well beyond what typical cameras can manage, the highest resolution in ZWO's SWIR line-up, supported by their superlative camera design and technology, the ZWO ASI992MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera is standout option for advanced users, institutions, and industries.
SWIR Sensor
Giving this camera its impressive IR
sensitivity is the Sony IMX992 sensor. This incredible chip gives you
sensitivity across the visible light spectrum like a typical astronomy
camera, as well a large section of the infrared spectrum; reaching down to
about 1800 nm. This allows the camera to view details of targets that are
invisible to other offerings, as well as 'see through' some common barriers
such as thin cloud cover, light fog, and even daylight to reveal starlight.
This performance is provided by 3.45 μm pixels, arranged in a 2592 x 2056
(5.3 MP) array on the 8.942 mm x 7.093 mm chip. QE performance is great,
with 80% peak QE reached at 1200 nm, and full-well depth of 62.8 Ke. A
native bit depth of 12-bit provides solid contrast, and read noise is
manageable at 71 e-.
Superb Supporting Technology
The ZWO ASI992MM Pro
USB3.0 Cooled Mono SWIR Camera enjoys key features of ZWO's Pro line, with
two-stage thermo-electric cooling, amp-glow suppression, and a built-in
image buffer. These help keep your data clear and protect it from hiccups in
transit for results you can rely on. With a two-stage thermoelectric cooler,
this camera will keep its Sony IMX992 sensor around -35° to -40°
below ambient temperature to reduce thermal induced image noise. ZWO has
also integrated their Zero Amp Glow technology, to keep your frames from
presenting with the bright shine some chip designs can inherently impart
with circuitry hot-spots. Finally, a 256 MB DDR3 image buffer helps keep
image transfer smooth even when communication between your detector and
computer may be less than ideal.
Power & Ports
This camera features a straightforward
set of connections for simply integrating into your system. To power the
camera and its supporting technology, it comes equipped with an industry
standard 5.5x2.1 mm center positive 12V input port. To ensure optimal
operation, a power supply capable of 3A is required. For
transmitting your data from the ZWO ASI992MM Pro to your computer, a USB 3.0
B port gives you a fast and reliable connection. For simplifying cable
management, the camera also comes with two powered USB 2.0 A ports which can
connect external devices to your computer over the same USB 3.0 interface it
uses.
Spacing Concerns Covered
The ASI992MM Pro features a
native backfocus of 6.5 mm, with an M42 male connection. This short distance
can allow for more flexibility when custom spacing is required. For more
common optical configurations, the camera also includes an 11 mm M42 female
to female spacer (pre-installed) which sets it at the more typical 17.5 mm
of native backfocus, along with a 16.5 mm M48-M42 and 21 mm M42-M42 spacer
set that combined can create the industry standard 55 mm of camera
backfocus. Four spacing shims are included for sensitive space tuning, with
a 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm, and two 0.2 mm shims that can be installed between spacers
to precisely add a cumulative 1 mm of additional backfocus. For stepping up
M42 optics connections to the included spacers, an M42-M48 step up ring is
also included.