What is the main advantage of the Poseidon-M Pro's 71.7k e- full well?
The 71.7k e- full well capacity allows each pixel to collect more photons before saturating. This is a significant advantage when imaging targets with high dynamic range, such as the Orion Nebula (M42) or the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). You can take longer exposures to capture faint outer details without blowing out the bright core, resulting in a more detailed final image.
How do I choose between Normal and Low Noise (LRN) mode on the Poseidon-M Pro?
Choose the mode based on your target:
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Normal Mode: It has the faster frame rate (15 FPS at full resolution in RAW8), and it suits planetary imaging.
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Low Noise (LRN) Mode: Use this for deep-sky imaging of faint nebulae and galaxies. It has lower readout noise and higher dynamic range, and it suits deep-sky imaging.
What power supply do I need for the Poseidon-M Pro's cooling system?
To run the 2-stage TEC cooling system, you need an external 12V DC power adapter with a minimum rating of 5A, connected via the 5.5x2.1mm port. The camera's maximum power consumption is 3A, but a 5A supply ensures stable operation. A power supply is not included with the camera. Without it, the camera operates in uncooled mode via USB power.
How does the 4-point sensor tilt plate on the Poseidon-M Pro work?
The 4-point rear-adjust tilt plate allows you to physically align the sensor so it is square to your telescope's focal plane. This corrects for any tilt in your imaging train, ensuring sharp stars across the entire APS-C frame. Because there is one adjustment screw near each corner, it is more intuitive to identify which part of the sensor needs to be moved to achieve a flat field.
How would the Poseidon-M Pro perform on the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) with an 8-inch f/4 Newtonian?
At 800mm the 3.76µm pixels give about 0.97 arcseconds per pixel, and the APS-C sensor covers about 1.7° × 1.1°, enough for the Horsehead and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) together. An H-alpha filter records the glowing hydrogen behind the Horsehead.
Is the Poseidon-M Pro's 15 FPS rate fast enough for imaging Jupiter?
Yes, but with a caveat. While 15 FPS at full 26 MP resolution is impressive, for planetary imaging you would use a smaller Region of Interest (ROI) to increase the frame rate. At a 640×480 ROI, the camera achieves 150 FPS in RAW8 mode, and Normal mode, with its faster frame rate, suits planetary imaging.
Why would I choose the mono Poseidon-M Pro over the color version?
The monochrome Poseidon-M Pro offers higher sensitivity and resolution compared to its color counterpart. By shooting through separate LRGB filters, you capture more signal per exposure and can perform advanced narrowband imaging (H-alpha, SII, OIII) to cut through light pollution and create high-contrast images of emission nebulae. This provides maximum data quality and flexibility, though it requires more processing effort than a one-shot-color camera.
What do the 17.5mm and 12.5mm back focus options on the Poseidon-M Pro let me do?
The two back focus distances accommodate different accessories. The standard 17.5mm (with tilt plate) is the default. The 12.5mm distance, achieved by removing the tilt plate, is useful for custom setups or optical systems with very limited back focus.
Does the Poseidon-M Pro have amp glow?
The Poseidon-M Pro is a Non-Amp-Glow camera, as a 300s dark frame at -20°C shows. This gives a very clean background.
Can I use the Poseidon-M Pro with a Celestron RASA telescope?
Yes. Player One designed the front piece of the camera to be round specifically to avoid causing diffraction spikes when used with fast optical systems like the Celestron RASA, where the camera body is in the light path.
