Whether you're an advanced user or a beginner, you'll love creating beautiful astroimages with the Skyris astronomical CCD camera. Capture the Sun, Moon, and planets like never before and create crisp, high-resolution images. Skyris cameras are the first to offer ultra-fast USB 3.0 connections combined with the most popular Sony CCD chips used for planetary imaging. Skyris also features a Celestron-designed camera body which helps dissipate heat to minimize the effect of thermal noise on the CCD.

Celestron Partners with The Imaging Source

For years, The Imaging Source has provided amateur astronomers with high-quality CCD cameras that elevate amateur planetary imaging from a casual hobby into an art form. The Imaging Source's astronomical cameras are known for high quality, value, and performance. Now, Celestron is proud to partner with The Imaging Source on the Skyris line.

Skyris 445M using the Sony ICX445ALA CCD Sensor

The Skyris 445M features a high-resolution CCD sensor with a larger detection area, small pixels, and a larger pixel array. This sensor is capable of all kinds of solar system imaging, from Jupiter to a close-up swatch of the Moon's craters. The small pixels provide more detail per pixel, even when used with smaller telescopes.

Monochrome Sensor for Maximum Sensitivity

The Skyris 445M is a monochrome camera, offering you the most senstivity for capturing the best possible astroimages. Either use the camera by itself to capture stunning  black-and-white images of the Moon or planets, or attach your own filters and filter wheel to create your own color planetary images. The monochrome camera offers you increased sensitivity and the flexibility to image the way you want.

Included Celestron iCap Software

All Skyris cameras include Celestron iCap capture software and stacking software, for Windows systems only. iCap software allows you to easily control the camera, snap your images or movie file, and export them. Next, you'll bring your images or movies into the stacking software, where you can automatically filter the best images and stack them to create your masterpiece.

Included accessories: 1.25" nosepiece, iCap software CD, 10' USB 3.0 cable, instruction manual.

• A/D Conversion  12 bit
• Back Focus Distance  19mm with nosepiece
• Exposure Range  0.05 to 10 seconds
• Imaging Sensor  Sony ICX445ALA Monochrome CCD
• Mounting  1.25" barrel and C-thread
• Operating Environment  40° C to -40°C
• Shutter  Global
• Software Compatibility  iCap, IC Capture, DirectShow
• Sub-Framing  Selectable
• Weight (lbs)  3.6 oz lbs (1.63 kg)
• Power Requirements  Powered by USB
• Camera Resolution  1280 x 960
• Sensor Size  6.26mm x 5.01mm
• Pixel Size  3.75 micron square
• Frames per Second  Up to 30
• USB Cable  High-speed 3.0, 10' cable length

Designed for beginning and advanced imagers alike, the Skyris cameras are available in six different models. Skyris will make you experience the sky from a completely new perspective as you create stunning planetary images in crisp, high resolution. Superior internal components - including Sony imaging sensors and high speed USB 3.0 connections - create rapid exposures that capture stable air and dynamic 12-bit image output that outrage the 8-bit of standard planetary CCDs. The external camera housing has been redesigned by Celestron for improved heat dissipation, thereby minimizing the temperature effect on CCD noise. The included Celestron iCap software and stacking software aid with capturing, filtering, aligning, stacking, and exporting your best images. Skyris comes packedwith the following useful accessories: A metal 1.25" nosepiece and 10' USB 3.0 cable.

Skyris is available in six configuration, especially suited for these subjects:

618C and 618M: our fastest cameras for color and monochromatic planetary imaging with long focal-length telescopes like Schmidt-Cassegrains and EdgeHDs

445C and 445M: small pixels provide detailed images for color and monochromatic planetary, lunar, and solar imaging

274C and 274M: the biggest sensor, field of view, and pixel array for color and monochromatic planetary, lunar and solar imaging

Using Celestron Skyris as an Autoguider

Equipped with Sony EXview HAD CCD sensors, Skyris cameras make excellent autoguiders. The monochrome cameras are especially suited for autoguiding. If used with a Celestron mount, simply plug the hand controller into the supplied serial cable and use a USB to RS-232 adapter (not included). The camera works with popular software like MaxIm DL or freeware like PHD Guiding. Other mounts work with a GPUSB available from Shoestring Astronomy to use with the same software programs, instantly turning your Skyris camera into a high-end autoguider that plugs into the ST-4 autoguider port on your mount.