Player One Uranus-C Pro IMX585

Designed by Player One Astronomy for deep-sky astrophotography, the Uranus-C Pro features a Sony IMX585 colour sensor with a 1/1.2-inch format. Its 11.2 × 6.3 mm imaging area and 12.85 mm diagonal also make it suitable for solar, lunar and planetary imaging.

With a resolution of 3856 × 2180 pixels, approximately 8.3 megapixels, and 2.9 µm pixels, it combines a maximum full-well capacity of 47 ke⁻ with native 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversion.

Its back-illuminated Sony STARVIS 2 CMOS sensor, with a stated peak quantum efficiency of approximately 91%, provides high sensitivity for both deep-sky astrophotography and high-speed imaging.

STARVIS 2 technology and native 12-bit conversion

Sony STARVIS 2 technology provides the CMOS sensor with a back-illuminated pixel architecture.

The integrated analogue-to-digital converter distinguishes 4,096 conversion levels. This digitisation precision allows variations in light intensity to be recorded while preserving tonal information useful for astronomical image processing.

Colour sensor and high quantum efficiency

Equipped with an RGGB Bayer colour filter array, the Sony IMX585 sensor captures the information required to reconstruct RGB colour images.

Player One specifies a peak quantum efficiency of approximately 91%, helping the camera detect faint light signals during astrophotography.

This design allows deep-sky colour imaging without separately acquiring red, green and blue channels. It is also suitable for lunar and planetary imaging, as well as certain solar applications with appropriate filtration.

1/1.2-inch sensor format

With dimensions of 11.2 × 6.3 mm, the Sony IMX585 sensor offers a rectangular format suitable for framing a wide range of astronomical objects.

Its 3856 × 2180 pixel resolution makes it possible to capture detailed deep-sky images as well as lunar, solar and planetary subjects.

Depending on the focal length used, the camera can also capture the full disc of the Sun or Moon and facilitate mosaic imaging.

Solar imaging always requires appropriate filtration for the telescope and observing method.

Compact design and carbon fibre

The Uranus-C Pro shares the circular design of the Ares cooled camera series, featuring Player One Astronomy's distinctive red and black finish.

The use of carbon fibre and an optimised structural design keeps the camera's weight down to just 420 g.

Despite its compact size, it integrates a two-stage thermoelectric cooling system, an anti-dew heater and a sensor tilt adjustment mechanism.

Front three-point and rear four-point tilt adjustment

To correct sensor inclination relative to the optical axis, the Uranus-C Pro offers two adjustment solutions.

• Front three-point tilt plate: supplied as standard with the camera, allowing sensor tilt correction in conventional imaging configurations.

• Rear four-point tilt plate: available as an alternative, making adjustments easier when the camera is combined with a filter wheel, filter drawer or off-axis guider with a fixed orientation.

The rear adjustment configuration is also particularly useful for RASA telescope users.

A high-density foam light seal helps prevent unwanted light from entering through the side gaps.

High full-well capacity

With a maximum full-well capacity of 47 ke⁻, the Uranus-C Pro offers approximately 3.6 times the 13 ke⁻ capacity specified by Player One for the previous-generation Sony IMX485 sensor.

This allows each pixel to accumulate a substantial amount of electrical charge before reaching saturation.

High frame rate

Player One specifies a frame rate of up to 47 frames per second at a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels.

At the native resolution of 3856 × 2180 pixels, the stated frame rate reaches 46 frames per second in RAW8 mode.

Higher frame rates can be achieved by reducing the capture area, making the camera particularly useful for planetary imaging.

The stated frame rates over USB 3.0 are:

• 3856 × 2180 pixels: 46 frames per second in RAW8 and 23 in RAW16.

• 3840 × 2160 pixels: 47 frames per second in RAW8 and 23.5 in RAW16.

• 2560 × 1440 pixels: 105 frames per second in RAW8 and 53 in RAW16.

• 1920 × 1080 pixels: 187 frames per second in RAW8 and 93.5 in RAW16.

• 1280 × 720 pixels: 286 frames per second in RAW8 and 188 in RAW16.

• 800 × 600 pixels: 340 frames per second in RAW8 and 223 in RAW16.

• 640 × 480 pixels: 418 frames per second in RAW8 and 275 in RAW16.

Actual recording speed also depends on the performance of the computer and storage device.

Sensor performance and HCG mode

The Uranus-C Pro features a High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode that activates at gain 210.

This mode reduces readout noise at higher gain settings while maintaining performance suitable for astronomical imaging.

Player One specifies a readout noise range of 7.2 to 0.7 e⁻, depending on the camera settings.

The manufacturer states that its readout noise figures are based on actual measurements. Users can also verify them with the Sensor Analysis function in SharpCap 4.

No amplifier glow

The Uranus-C Pro is free from amplifier glow, or Amp Glow, avoiding this source of unwanted brightness in long-exposure images.

The manufacturer's demonstration dark frame was captured with the following settings:

• Exposure time: 300 seconds.

• Gain: 0.

• Offset: 10.

• Temperature: −10 °C.

• Display: automatic STF stretching in PixInsight 1.86.

This characteristic helps simplify image processing by reducing unwanted brightness gradients caused by the readout electronics.

Low dark current

Player One specifies the following dark current values:

• At −20 °C: 0.0004 e⁻/s/pixel.

• At 0 °C: 0.005 e⁻/s/pixel.

These values help limit unwanted thermal signals during long-exposure imaging.

Two-stage TEC cooling

The camera features a two-stage thermoelectric cooling system and a design intended to limit heat flowing back towards the sensor chamber.

Player One specifies a temperature difference of 35 to 40 °C below ambient temperature.

The operating conditions stated for this performance are:

• Ambient temperature: 30 °C.

• Fan speed: 100%.

• Anti-dew heater power: 1%.

For routine use, the manufacturer recommends:

• Target temperature: 30 to 35 °C below ambient.

• Fan speed: 50 to 70%.

• Anti-dew heater power: 10%.

• Stated power usage under these conditions: 40 to 60%.

ASCOM settings and anti-dew heater

Three parameters can be adjusted through the ASCOM interface:

• Target temperature.

• Fan speed.

• Anti-dew heater power.

The default fan speed is 50%. An integrated heater at the front of the camera helps prevent dew formation, with adjustable power to suit operating conditions.

512 MB DDR3 buffer

A 512 MB DDR3 buffer helps stabilise data transfers and limit dropped frames.

It also reduces data-transfer demands, including when using a USB 2.0 connection.

This capacity is particularly useful for high-speed planetary imaging and recording sequences containing large numbers of frames.

USB-C connectivity and frame rate

Two rear USB-C data ports sit alongside the power connector. The USB-C format makes connections easier when setting up imaging equipment at night.

The main port supports USB 3.0, allowing the camera to achieve the acquisition speeds specified by Player One.

Actual recording speed also depends on storage performance. The manufacturer recommends a high-quality SSD to make full use of the camera's capabilities.

Power supply and electrical protection

A 12 V DC input with a 5.5 × 2.1 mm connector supplies the power required for TEC cooling.

When cooling is not needed, connecting the main USB-C port is sufficient to operate the camera in uncooled mode.

Player One states that the external power supply is not included and recommends a 12 V power adapter rated at a minimum of 5 A.

Overvoltage and overcurrent protection mechanisms help protect the camera and connected equipment.

Backfocus configurations

Player One provides several configurations for achieving a total optical backfocus of 55 mm using suitable adapters and accessories.

Some configurations require 56 mm to compensate for the optical path difference introduced by filters.

The camera's mechanical backfocus is 17.5 mm.

Technical specifications

Sensor and resolution

• Manufacturer: Player One Astronomy.

• Model: Uranus-C Pro.

• Type: cooled colour astronomy camera.

• Sensor: Sony IMX585 back-illuminated colour CMOS.

• Technology: Sony STARVIS 2.

• Format: 1/1.2 inch.

• Sensor dimensions: 11.2 × 6.3 mm.

• Sensor diagonal: 12.85 mm.

• Resolution: 3856 × 2180 pixels, approximately 8.3 MP.

• Pixel size: 2.9 µm.

• Bayer pattern: RGGB.

• Peak quantum efficiency: approximately 91%.

• Analogue-to-digital converter: native 12-bit.

• Conversion levels: 4,096.

• Shutter type: rolling shutter.

• Exposure range: 32 µs to 2,000 seconds.

Imaging performance

• Maximum full-well capacity: 47 ke⁻.

• Stated readout noise: 7.2 to 0.7 e⁻.

• HCG activation: gain 210.

• Dark current at −20 °C: 0.0004 e⁻/s/pixel.

• Dark current at 0 °C: 0.005 e⁻/s/pixel.

• Amplifier glow: none.

• Stated RAW8 frame rate at full resolution: 46 frames per second.

• Stated RAW8 frame rate at 3840 × 2160 pixels: 47 frames per second.

• Stated RAW16 frame rate at full resolution: 23 frames per second.

• Maximum stated RAW8 frame rate at 640 × 480 pixels: 418 frames per second.

• Buffer memory: 512 MB DDR3.

Cooling and adjustments

• Cooling: two-stage TEC.

• Stated Delta-T: 35 to 40 °C below ambient temperature.

• Recommended Delta-T: 30 to 35 °C below ambient temperature.

• Anti-dew heater: integrated, adjustable power.

• Cooling fan: adjustable speed, 50% by default.

• Adjustable ASCOM parameters: target temperature, fan speed and anti-dew heater power.

• Sensor tilt adjustment: three points at the front or four points at the rear with an alternative tilt plate.

• Tilt plate light seal: high-density foam.

Connectivity and power

• Data ports: two USB-C ports.

• Main port protocol: USB 3.0.

• USB 2.0 connection: supported.

• Cooling power supply: 12 V DC.

• Power connector: 5.5 × 2.1 mm.

• Stated maximum power consumption: 3 A at 12 V.

• Recommended external power supply: 12 V, minimum 5 A.

• External power supply included: no.

• Uncooled operation: powered through the main USB-C port.

• Electrical protection: overvoltage and overcurrent.

• Manufacturer's recommended storage: a high-quality SSD.

Construction and dimensions

• Body shape: circular.

• Material: structure incorporating carbon fibre.

• Colours: red and black.

• Body diameter: 78 mm.

• Weight: 420 g.

• Mechanical backfocus: 17.5 mm.

• Connection thread: M42 × 0.75.

• Adapter: 1.25 inch.

• Protective window: 32 mm diameter, 2 mm thickness, AR Plus multi-layer anti-reflective coating.