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Main page▹Main pages	5.6.2026

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Every photon counts...

Welcome to the Moravian Instruments web site devoted to cameras for low light imaging in astronomy and microscopy.

Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) in front of VdB55 nebula

Author: Wolfgang Promper

C5A-150M camera on ASA UWF600 telescope

SIPS updates (v4.5.3)	2.9.2026

SIPS (Scientific Image Processing System) is a software package, focused to two areas: First, the astronomical observation control, which includes camera and filter wheel control and image acquisition, automatic guiding as well as additional device and observing equipment control, like focusers, telescope mounts, observatory domes, weather stations etc. And second, the astronomical image scientific processing, like raw image calibration (dark frame subtraction, flat fielding) and basic manipulation (median combine, alignment and stacking, blinking, …). Two key image reduction workflows, used in research to analyze astronomical images, are also included — astrometry reduction and time-based photometry processing.

“The Wind-Torn Crescent”	26.8.2026

We are always glad to receive a message from our customer, expressing satisfaction with our products, especially when such message is accompanied by a beautiful image of some deep-sky gem, captured with our camera. This was exactly the case with the NGC6888 image by Kevin Boardman.

SIPS Mount Polar Alignment tool	20.7.2026

While the commonly used polar axis viewfinders, supplied with many mounts, may help to achieve polar alignment of equatorial mounts sufficient for visual observations, astro-photography or research applications (e.g. variable star observations etc.) could benefit from more precise mount polar alignment, achievable e.g. using drift method. But this method is quite time-consuming, and its precision is also limited due to refraction changes when a monitored star rises or descends during adjustment. Faster and more precise polar axis adjustment is a big help for more precise telescope go-to and star tracking and it is a necessity especially for permanent (observatory) setups.

C3 cameras with Liquid Cooling	3.6.2026

C3 cameras are available with two versions of air cooling of the Peltier hot side. The standard one allowed slightly slimmer camera body and quieter operation, while the Enhanced Cooling version is thicker due to larger heatsink, and utilizes more powerful and thus noisier fans. Now the third option of C3 camera cooling is available — the C3 camera with liquid cooling.

Introducing C2-7000R — global-shutter camera with large onboard memory	22.5.2026

Large onboard memory, capable of storing many full-resolution images, was the unique feature (and necessity) of cameras using rolling-shutter sensors. Now such memory is also available to selected cameras from the C2 series of Moravian Instruments cooled cameras with global-shutter sensors. This leads not only to more uniform images, but also enables the serial read mode, in which images are captured isochronously and independently on the host PC ability to download them in time.

SIPS Video Tutorials (Part VII. is out)	24.3.2026

SIPS (Scientific Image Processing System) is a software package, focused on two areas: First, astronomical observation control and, second, scientific image processing. Together with the SIPS itself, we are now developing a tutorial video series designed to decrease the barrier of entry.

Discovery of an O III envelope extending around NGC 2818A	27.10.2025

We’re always thrilled when our cameras contribute to new discoveries. Recently, Mark McComiskey used our C5-150M camera to uncover an O III envelope surrounding the planetary nebula NGC 2818A. His results were published in Research Notes of the AAS (American Astronomical Society). Congratulations to Mark!

Introducing C1+46000	10.10.2025

Following the C2-46000 camera, the 4/3" rolling-shutter CMOS sensor is now finding its way to the smaller body of the C1+ line. This sensor has become overwhelmingly popular, especially among astrophotographers, due to its small pixels and high resolution and now it can be placed directly at the primary focal point of reflecting and catadioptric telescopes.

Introducing C2-46000	5.6.2026

The G2-8300 cameras become overwhelmingly popular among astro-photographers at the time (and they are still used to capture great images) from two reasons. First, the 4/3" sensor size utilized the 2" telescope adapter standard, for which the G2 was designed, to its maximum. Even slightly larger sensor area would cause severe vignetting from focusers, correctors, filters etc. And second, small pixels and high resolution well suited the short focal length of many small telescopes used by majority of amateurs. Now the C2-46000 is ready to follow in the same steps, just with great features the rolling-shutter CMOS sensor technology brought to astronomical imaging.

C0, CG, and C1 Series CMOS Cameras	3.6.2026

The C0, CG, and C1 series cameras with global shutter CMOS sensors were designed to be small, lightweight imagers for Moon and planets and for automatic telescope guiding. With proper image calibration, these cameras provide surprisingly good results also in entry-level deep-sky imaging. The used CMOS sensors response to light is linear up to very close to saturation point. So, the C0, CG, and C1 cameras can be used for some entry-level scientific applications for instance in the variable star research etc.

Moravian Instruments Filter Wheels	3.6.2026

Astronomical cameras with silicon-based monochrome sensors are sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths, spanning from near ultra-violet (UV) to near infra-red (IR) light. If it is desired to capture only a portion of such a spectral range, it is necessary to place a color filter in front of the sensor. This is why Moravian Instruments cameras are designed to operate with a wide range of Moravian Instruments filter wheels.

C2 cameras with Global Shutter CMOS Sensors now available with GPS receiver	17.9.2024

GPS satellite signal receivers provide not only location information, but also can be a source of very precise (sub-microsecond) timing information. Integration of the GPS receiver with an astronomical camera thus allows very precise timing of exposures. Now the GPS receiver module is available also for C2 cameras with global-shutter CMOS sensors, which are particularly suitable for application requiring precise exposure timing, like occultation observations etc.

C5 Series CMOS Cameras	6.8.2026

C5 camera series is designed to accommodate the latest generation of extremely large Sony IMX CMOS sensors with 100 and 150 MPx resolution and diagonal dimension up to 67 mm. Many of the used sensor properties share the exceptional features of the sensors used in the C3 series, including the 3.76 μm pixel size with the full-well capacity exceeding 50 ke-, very high quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. C5 sensors also offer 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise. Despite very large sensors, the C5 camera head dimensions are the same like the Enhanced Cooling variants of the C3 and C4 series. All these features make C5 cameras the ultimate devices for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research.

C1× Series CMOS Cameras	8.12.2025

C1× cameras employ the same sensors like the C3 series — latest generation of Sony APS and Full-Frame (24 × 36 mm) CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-, rivaling cameras with much greater pixels. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. At the same time the C1× camera head is designed to be symmetrical, with as small front cross-section as possible.

C3 Series CMOS Cameras	28.7.2026

C3 cameras employ the latest generation of Sony IMX CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. Sensor formats from APS to photographic full-frame (24 × 36 mm) ensure wide field of view and optimally utilize capabilities of the optical systems most commonly used by amateur astronomers.

C4 Series CMOS Cameras	6.8.2026

The C4-16000 cooled scientific CMOS camera sensors offer the same geometry like the CCDs in the famous G4-16000 cameras — sensor size 37 × 37 mm, 9 μm pixels and 16 MPx (4k × 4k) resolution. Also the mechanical design of C4 cameras inherits from G4 Mark II cameras, which makes the C4 camera line fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.

C1+ Series CMOS Cameras	25.5.2026

C1+ camera models are designed to fulfill the gap between small and lightweight C1 models, intended as Moon and planetary cameras and auto-guiders, and C2 cameras, equipped with active sensor cooling and mechanical shutter and thus intended for more serious astronomical imaging and research. C1+ cameras are able to work as C1 ones, only being somewhat heavier and bulkier, and at the same time C1+ can replace the C2 models, only with slightly less cooling performance and lack of mechanical shutter.

C2 Series CMOS Cameras	3.6.2026

The cooled C2 series CMOS cameras were developed for imaging under extremely low-light conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Mechanical design of this series inherits from earlier CCD-based G2 Mark II cameras, which makes the C2 series fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, internal or external filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.

Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter — Standard, Mini and Micro versions	8.12.2016

Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of Gx series cameras (models G0 to G4) to the control computer using Ethernet interface and TCP/IP protocol stack (this means over Local or Wide Area Networks). Single Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter contains four USB 2.0 ports and allows connection of up to four Gx cameras at the same time (regardless of the specific series, cameras can be freely combined).

What can 64 bit operating system do and which driver versions to choose?	24.7.2015

“64 bits” is a new marketing buzz-word in the world of mobile phones and tablets, but it is rather common in the world of Personal Computers. Despite the 64 bit systems are available for many years, especially recently number of newly installed 32 bit systems sharply declines and 64 bit systems dominate. Surprisingly, general understanding what does it mean is very low and particularly baffling is the fact, that 64 bit operating system is (fortunately) perfectly capable to run 32 bit applications. The answer to the question which driver version (32 bit or 64 bit) to install requires understanding of a few concepts.

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