What is the benefit of the Saturn-M SQR's 3008x3008 square sensor for mosaics?
The 1-inch format and 9MP make mosaics more efficient. A square frame covers the same distance in both directions, so a mosaic grid has equal steps across and down.
When should I use Normal mode vs. LRN (Low Readout Noise) mode on the Saturn-M SQR?
Normal mode, with its faster frame rate, suits planetary imaging, and LRN mode, with lower readout noise and higher dynamic range, suits deep-sky lucky imaging.
Does the Player One Saturn-M SQR require dark frames?
A 300s dark frame is totally dark, with no amp glow, and the camera's DPS corrects fixed abnormal pixels in every frame. Dark frames still record thermal signal, which in an uncooled camera follows the ambient temperature, so deep-sky lucky imagers usually still take them.
Can the Saturn-M SQR be used for traditional long-exposure deep-sky imaging?
It is designed for deep-sky lucky imaging, stacking many short exposures, in LRN mode. It has no TEC cooling, so thermal noise follows the ambient temperature; Player One's optional ACS keeps it about 7°C above ambient.
What do I need to achieve the maximum 43 FPS with the Saturn-M SQR?
The 43 FPS figure is for a USB 3.0 port with a full-resolution preview in RAW8. A slow disk can keep recording below the theoretical speed, so use a good solid state drive.
What image scale does the Saturn-M SQR give on an 8" SCT at f/10?
At about 2032mm the 3.76μm pixels give about 0.38 arcseconds per pixel, and the sensor covers about 19 × 19 arcminutes. A 2x Barlow halves that to about 0.19 arcseconds per pixel. A region of interest around the planet raises the frame rate (125 FPS at 1920x1080).
Why would I choose the mono Saturn-M SQR over a color camera?
A monochrome camera records light at every pixel through the chosen filter, while a colour camera's Bayer matrix gives each pixel only red, green or blue. With a narrowband filter such as H-alpha every pixel records the line.
What is the purpose of the 256MB DDR3 cache in the Saturn-M SQR?
The 256MB DDR3 cache is a buffer that stabilizes data transmission, effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces readout noise; with it the camera no longer needs a powerful computer and still performs very well on a USB 2.0 port.
How do I adjust the sensor tilt plate on the Saturn-M SQR?
The 2nd generation tilt plate adjusts the sensor angle against tilt in the imaging train, which otherwise leaves stars in one corner out of focus. It gives a much smaller field curvature when imaging deep-sky objects. The hex wrench for it is in the box.
Can I use the Player One Saturn-M SQR for autoguiding?
Yes. Connect the included ST4 cable from the camera to the AUTO GUIDE port of the equatorial mount.
What does the HCG mode on the Saturn-M SQR do?
HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode is a feature of the sensor that automatically activates at a gain setting of 125. No further HCG figures are given for this camera; readout noise in the specification runs from 4.46e- down to 1e-.
How does the 73k e- full well on the Saturn-M SQR help with solar imaging?
Prominences are much fainter than the solar disk. A deeper well means bright areas take longer to saturate in each frame; the 73k e- full well is almost 1.5 times the basic IMX533's 50k e-. Many solar imagers still expose the disk and the prominences separately.
