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DFK 41AU02.AS
USB Color Astro Camera for High Resolution Astrophotography
- Color USB camera with IR cut filter
- 1/2" CCD, progressive scan
- Resolution 1280 x 960
- Max. 15 fps
- Max exposure time 60 min
- C/CS Mount
- Software included
Resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels
The astronomy camera DFK 41AU02.AS exceeds with its high resolution (1280 x 960 pixels). Additionally, the DFK 41AU02.AS can output these high resolutions images at a speed of up to 15 frames per second. Using the shipped software - IC Capture.AS - you can capture lossless and uncompressed images sequences as AVI files.
Fast display of color images
Using the original images from the CCD (RAW format) for visualization purposes does not make much sense. Only after color interpolation, is it possible to view the images in common formats. The bandwidth required when transferring interpolated images is considerably broader than when transferring the original RAW formatted images. The CCD camera DFK 41AU02.AS allows color interpolation to be switched off, thus achieving 15 color frames per second. In this case, color interpolation is performed by IC Capture.AS on the host computer. Alternatively, should color interpolation not be desirable at all, AVI files can be written in RAW format.
Sony® color CCD
The astro CCD camera DFK 41AU02.AS deploys the color CCD ICX205AK, manufactured by Sony®. This chip has a 1/2" format and 1280 x 960 pixel resolution. Even at long exposure times, its noise is minimal. Thanks to the high quality of the ICX205AK, it is often used in scientific image processing applications.
IR cut filter
Unlike the human eye, CCDs are sensitive to near infrared light (wavelengths over 700nm). It is often not desirable to capture light that is in the near infrared range. Indeed, such light often disturbs an otherwise perfect shot. Therefore, the CCD camera DFK 41AU02.AS ships with an IR cut filter.
Fast data transfer via USB 2.0
The astronomy camera DFK 41AU02.AS outputs high resolution images, without compression at high speed. This results in large amounts of data being generated. In order to transfer these to the host PC, a very fast bus is required. Hence, the camera is fitted with a USB 2.0 connector.
Shipped software for Windows®
This camera ships with the camera driver IC WDM DCAM TIS and the control software IC Capture.AS. To learn more about these software products, please take a look at the software section:
Below are sample images and 'in action' images of astronomy cameras (click to enlarge).:
Dominique Dierick - Mars Color
Giorgio Mengoli - Sun
Marco Sellini - Sun Color
Efrain Morales - Jupiter
Technical specification, detailing all important parameters of the DFK 41AU02.AS astronomy camera:
| Camera Parameter | Parameter Value |
| Product Code | DFK 41AU02.AS |
| Type | color USB camera with IR cut filter |
| Connection | USB |
| Manufacturer | The Imaging Source |
| Sensor | CCD |
| Type | progressive scan |
| Sensor specification | Sony ICX205AK  PDF |
| Format | 1/2" |
| Resolution | 1280 x 960 pixel |
| Dynamic range | 8 bit |
| Exposure time | 1/10000 s to 60 minutes |
| Gain | 0 dB to 36 dB |
| FPS @ Max resolution | 15 fps |
| Video formats @ Frame rate | 1280 x 960, BY8 (RAW) @ 15, 7.5, 3.75 fps 1280 x 960, UYVY @ 7.5, 3.75 fps |
| Lens mount | C/CS mount |
| Supply voltage | 4.5 V to 5.5 V via the cable |
| Current consumption | approx 500 mA @ 5 VDC |
| Dimensions (H x W x L) | 50.6 mm x 50.6 mm x 50 mm |
| Mass | 265 g |
| Max. temperature (operation) | -5 °C to 45 °C |
| Max. temperature (storage) | -20 °C to 60 °C |
| Max. humidity (operation) | 20 % to 80 % |
| Max. humidity (storage) | 20 % to 95 % |
| Subject to change. | |