Moravian C3-61000 — full-frame cooled CMOS camera (IMX455, mono) The Moravian C3-61000 is a cooled monochrome astronomy camera built around Sony's back-illuminated, full-frame (36 × 24 mm) IMX455 sensor. It combines high quantum efficiency, very low dark current and full 16-bit digitisation, suiting both aesthetic astrophotography and scientific research.
Manufacturer model: Moravian C3-61000 (mono, consumer-grade IMX455) · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
The Moravian C3-61000 is a cooled monochrome astronomy camera built around Sony's back-illuminated, full-frame (36 × 24 mm) IMX455 sensor. It combines high quantum efficiency, very low dark current and full 16-bit digitisation, suiting both aesthetic astrophotography and scientific research.
Despite its 3.76 µm pixels, the sensor holds over 50,000 electrons per pixel. Two conversion paths switch at gain 2750 (about 9.7 dB): below it, full well reaches 52,800 e− with 3.51 e− read noise, giving the greatest dynamic range for research; above it, read noise drops to about 1.46 e− for short narrowband exposures. Gain is programmable from 0 to 36 dB. The camera uses only 16-bit modes.
This standard C3-61000 uses a consumer-grade sensor, which Moravian rates for up to about 300 hours of operation a year. For permanent observatory use, Moravian offers the C3-61000 PRO with an industrial-grade sensor.
On-board RAM holds several full frames, so a full-resolution frame downloads in about 0.44 s over USB 3.0. An internal mechanical blade shutter allows automatic dark frames. The camera accepts an internal filter wheel or Moravian's S, M and L external filter wheels, and a dedicated off-axis guider (M68 × 1, 61.5 mm back focus).
| Sensor | Sony IMX455, back-illuminated CMOS, consumer grade |
|---|---|
| Colour | Monochrome |
| Resolution | 9576 × 6388 pixels |
| Pixel size | 3.76 × 3.76 µm |
| Sensor size | 36.01 × 24.02 mm |
| Shutter | Rolling electronic, plus internal mechanical blade shutter |
| ADC | 16-bit |
| Gain | 0–36 dB (1×–63×) |
| Full well / read noise, gain 0 | 52,800 e− / 3.51 e− RMS |
| Full well / read noise, gain 2750 | 17,000 e− / 1.46 e− RMS |
| Shortest exposure | 200 µs in practice |
| Full-frame download | 0.44 s (USB 3.0); 2.73 s (USB 2.0) |
| Interface | USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 compatible) |
|---|---|
| Power | 12 V DC; under 8 W without cooling, 47 W maximum cooling |
| Power plug | 5.5 / 2.5 mm, centre positive |
| Supplied adapter | 100–240 V AC to 12 V DC / 5 A, 60 W |
| Back focal distance | 33.5 mm (to base of adjustable adapters) |
| Dimensions, standard cooling | 154 × 154 × 65 mm (77.5 mm with internal wheel) |
| Weight, standard cooling | 1.6 kg (1.9 kg with internal wheel) |
Moravian C3 series · C3 User's Guide
C3-61000 mono consumer grade, not PRO (industrial) or C (colour). Standard cooling figures shown; Enhanced (154x154x76 mm, 1.8 kg) and liquid-cooled versions exist. Internal wheel and adapters are options. Consumer sensor rated ~300 h/year.
| Gain db | 0–36 |
|---|---|
| Gain0 | FW 52800 e-, RN 3.51 e-, 0.80 e-/ADU |
| Gain2750 | FW 17000 e-, RN 1.46 e-, 0.26 e-/ADU |
| Min exposure | 200 us practical (156 us theoretical) |
| Download full | 0.44 s USB3; 2.73 s USB2 |
| Power plug | 5.5/2.5 mm centre + |
| Adapter | 100–240 V AC, 12 V 5 A, 60 W |
| Dimensions standard (mm) | 154 x 154 x 65 (77.5 internal wheel) |
| Weight standard (kg) | 1.6 (1.9 internal wheel) |
| Oag | M68x1, 61.5 mm BFD |
| Duty rating | Consumer grade ~300 h/year |
Technische Daten
Moravian C3-61000 — full-frame cooled CMOS camera (IMX455, mono) The Moravian C3-61000 is a cooled monochrome astronomy camera built around Sony's back-illuminated, full-frame (36 × 24 mm) IMX455 sensor. It combines high quantum efficiency, very low dark current and full 16-bit digitisation, suiting both aesthetic astrophotography and scientific research.
Manufacturer model: Moravian C3-61000 (mono, consumer-grade IMX455) · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
