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Canon launches EOS Ra astro camera

David Lee
7.11.2019
Translation: machine translated

With a special filter in front of the sensor, the Canon EOS Ra is designed to bring out the starry sky better.

Canon is launching the EOS Ra - a camera specially designed for astrophotography. It is basically a Canon EOS R that has been modified so that it can better image certain phenomena in the starry sky. It should be available later this year.

Canon EOS R Body, with lens adapter (30.30 Mpx, Full frame)
Cameras
Used
CHF1509.–

Canon EOS R Body, with lens adapter

30.30 Mpx, Full frame

Canon EOS Ra (31.70 Mpx, Full frame)
Cameras

Canon EOS Ra

31.70 Mpx, Full frame

How does an astro camera work?

Normal cameras have an infrared blocking filter in front of the sensor. This keeps out the infrared light, which would cause colour distortions and possibly also blurring. This blocking filter must be removed for infrared photography.

An astro camera also has an IR cut filter, but one that lets much more hydrogen alpha light through. In the case of the EOS Ra, it is four times as much. Hydrogen alpha is a still visible red, not infrared. It occurs in the starry sky in diffuse nebulae such as the Orion Nebula.

Orion Nebula
Orion Nebula
Source: ESO/H. Drass et al. - http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1625a/

The first astro cam in seven years

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My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.


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