The ASI 290 Mini is one of the most sensitive autoguider cameras on the market - with a quantum efficiency of over 80%. Thanks to the small pixel size of 2.9ìm, you can also track telescopes with the increasingly popular short focal length Microguide guide scopes.
The camera is very light and no bigger than an eyepiece. This is also very convenient for use in the small guide scope or off-axis guider.
The small pixel size with the associated high resolution also make it ideal for use as a planetary camera. The relatively small sensor easily copes with the small angular size of planets. Also, the 'seeing' can be outsmarted by taking short exposures at a high frame rate. The camera allows exposures a short as 32ìs with the resolution dependent number in the number of frames per second (FPS):
- 1936 × 1096: 20.4
- 1280 × 960: 35.3
- 640 × 480: 141.5
- 320 × 240: 355.9
- 968 × 548 (2x2Bin): 20.4
Additional resolutions can be freely selected. The camera also supports ROIs (Regions of Interest).
The ASI 290MM Mini is ideal if you need a very sensitive autoguider camera with small pixel size for high resolution.
Our expert comment:
I recommend the ASI 290 MM for refractors which are guided using a short guide scope ('Microguide'). However, if you work with off-axis guiders and a Schmidt-Cassegrain or Ritchey-Chretien telescope, a wider field of view and therefore the ASI 174 MM Mini camera is more suitable. The ASI 174 MM is a versatile astronomy camera, but also significantly more expensive than the ASI 290 MM.
(Stefan Taube)
