QHYCCD’s Astronomical Cameras Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe | Other

In astronomical research, more precise and extensive celestial observations are required. However, ground-based observations are constrained by atmospheric turbulence and weather conditions, and single large telescopes are limited in their observable range and light-gathering power.

To address these challenges, there are two projects that take different approaches to space observation. One deploys the SuperBIT astronomical telescope in Earth’s stratosphere, which enables observations with minimal atmospheric interference, and the other uses the ground-based LAST system to simultaneously observe vast regions of the sky.

What these innovative projects have in common is their adoption of QHYCCD camera systems equipped with Sony's 61.17M full-frame image sensor IMX455 as their core technology. The IMX455, which combines high resolution, high sensitivity and low-noise performance, responds to diverse needs from detecting faint celestial light to observing transient astronomical phenomena, contributing to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

About QHYCCD

QHYCCD is a global manufacturer of astronomical and scientific cameras. The company offers a wide range of CMOS and CCD cameras, suitable for amateur to research applications. QHYCCD also provides customized cameras and tailored solutions for large-scale astronomical projects.

Case 1: SuperBIT - High-Resolution Astronomical Observation from the Stratosphere

The Super-pressure Balloon-borne Imaging Telescope (SuperBIT) is an innovative astronomical research project jointly developed by the University of Toronto, Princeton University, Durham University, and NASA. The distinctive feature of this project is mounting a 0.5-meter telescope on a NASA Super-Pressure Balloon, with a volume big enough to fit a football field inside. Operating at an altitude of approximately 33 km in the stratosphere, it floats above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the telescope to image the universe without the atmospheric interference experienced on the ground.

The astronomical camera system mounted on the SuperBIT, manufactured by QHYCCD, is equipped with the IMX455. This captures images with resolution comparable to space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope while providing a wider field of view.

SuperBIT's primary mission is to conduct detailed observations of galaxy clusters and lensed galaxies to help map the distribution of dark matter, which cannot be seen but has gravitational effects. This contributes to elucidating the properties of dark matter comprising approximately 85% of the universe's mass.

QHYCCD's QHY600Pro product image — QHYCCD's camera equipped with Sony's image sensor:
QHY600Pro

Image of a NASA Super-Pressure Balloon with the SuperBIT payload — A NASA Super-Pressure Balloon with the SuperBIT payload
Credit: NASA and Bill Rodman

Image of the Tarantula Nebula captured by SuperBIT — The Tarantula Nebula imaged by SuperBIT
Captured with a monochrome camera using LRGB filters in separate channels and combined into a color image
Credit: SuperBIT Team

Case 2: LAST - Wide-Field Sky Survey System from the Ground

The Large Array Survey Telescope (LAST) system is an affordable wide-field telescope array designed for rapid and continuous observation of changes in the night sky. The system consists of 48 telescopes and covers a vast sky area of 355 square degrees with a total of 2.9 billion pixels, with each telescope covering 7.4 square degrees. This is equivalent to the light-gathering power of a single 1.9-meter aperture telescope.

The QHY600PH cameras used in this telescope system are equipped with the IMX455. The 16-bit readout mode provides a wide dynamic range, and multiple gain and readout-noise settings allow fine tuning for various observation conditions. The rolling shutter design enables continuous readout with minimal dead time and it can handle short exposures – as short as 0.8 seconds – making the image sensor ideal for observing transient astronomical phenomena.

The LAST system can detect extremely faint celestial objects down to magnitude 19.6 with just 20 seconds of exposure and, by combining images, its detection capability can be enhanced up to magnitude 21.0. With a pixel scale of 1.25 arcseconds per pixel, it delivers high-resolution, low-noise imaging performance, even in low-light environments.

Image of the LAST system — Large Array Survey Telescope (LAST)

Image of LAST and the night sky — Large Array Survey Telescope (LAST)

Image of a globular cluster captured by LAST — Globular cluster captured by LAST

Credit: Weizmann Astrophysical Observatory, Kibbutz Neot Smadar, Israel

Why was Sony's IMX455 selected?

High resolution: High pixel count enabling precise astronomical observations
High sensitivity and low-noise performance: Essential characteristics for detecting faint celestial light
Wide dynamic range: The ability to simultaneously capture celestial objects of various brightness levels

Both projects maximize the excellent characteristics of the IMX455, although their approaches differ.
The IMX455 is approximately a 61.17 megapixel full-frame CMOS image sensor that uses rolling shutter technology. Through a back-illuminated structure, it achieves high sensitivity and low-noise performance. It also incorporates a high-resolution 16-bit A/D converter, enabling rich tonal expression from dark to bright areas.

Sony’s image sensors provide the precision and reliability required for advanced scientific research, making significant contributions to the advancement of astronomy in unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

Technology

Rolling Shutter Technology

Find out more about rolling shutter technology

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