ARCBLUE C42

THE WORLD'S FIRST SMART FULL-FRAME ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SYSTEM

Capture the universe like a master. Effortless.

ARCBLUE C42

THE WORLD'S FIRST SMART FULL-FRAME ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY SYSTEM

Capture the universe like a master. Effortless.

Milky Way Core
Orion Nebula (M42)
Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
Saturn
Moon
More to Explore...

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET:

  • · Purchase At The Lowest Price
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  • · Invitation To The ArcBlue Official Group
ArcBlue C42 field setup at night

Professional Without The Complexity

For years, astrophotography has lived at two extremes. Professional systems are powerful but complex. Smart telescopes are simple, but limited by small sensors and fixed optics.

ArcBlue C42 changes that. No trade-offs between simplicity and professional performance. Just more time to enjoy the sky and create.

Get The Highlights

Full-frame sensor close-up with 36mm by 24mm measurement markers

Full-Frame Format

Sony IMX410 | TEC Cooling | Low Noise | High Detail

ArcBlue C42 tracking system showing tri-axis movement ranges

Precision Tracking

Sensor-Level Guiding | Tri-Axis Harmonic Tracking with Encoders | Sharper Stars

ArcBlue C42 mounted on a compact tripod

Ready in 10 Minutes

3-Min Setup | Auto Alignment & GoTo | Beginner-Friendly

Backpacker under the Milky Way in a remote landscape

Shoot Anywhere

All-in-One Lightweight System | -20°C to 40°C | Dew Prevention

Range of compatible camera lenses and telescopes

Open Ecosystem

Compatible with Camera Lenses and Telescopes

ArcBlue C42 processing module with stacked astrophotography frames

In-Camera Processing

Instant ISP | Auto HDR | Live Stacking | Edit-Ready Raws

Remote touchscreen monitoring ArcBlue C42 beside a mountain lake at night

Magnetic Touchscreen

Live Preview | Remote Control | In-Tent Monitoring

No More Trade-Offs

Astronomer setting up a compact deep-sky imaging system at dusk

All-In-One Portability

Professional performance packed into a highly integrated, lightweight system. No heavy mounts. No cable mess. Shoot deep space anywhere.

Astronomer monitoring a deep-sky imaging rig from a tent

Crash-Free Workflow

Fast setup and automated capture-to-RAW workflow. Dedicated magnetic screen ensures uninterrupted shooting while leaving your phone 100% free.

Detailed red nebula captured by a deep-sky imaging system

Pro Imaging, No Compromise

Full-frame sensor with TEC cooling. Precision encoder tracking paired with sensor-level autoguiding. Observatory-grade results for deep-sky targets.

Uncompromised deep-sky power, packed to travel. Pro outcomes, effortless experience.

One System, Limitless Growth.

Transform your existing lenses and telescopes into a powerhouse. ArcBlue C42 system automates the complex, allowing you to capture stunning starscapes and deep-sky masterpieces with effortless precision.

$500~$2,000

Milky Way & Nightscape

Smart Telescope / Star Tracker Setups

Smart telescope setup iconStar tracker camera setup icon

$2,000~$7,000

Nebulae & Galaxies

Deep-Sky Imaging Setups

Deep-sky telescope setup icon

Creators At NAB Show

Jonathan Gazze testing the ArcBlue C42 on a tripod
Jonathan Gazze avatar

Jonathan Gazze

"I think I just found the coolest camera...It basically replaces full astrophotography setup. Even stack images in real time that alone can save hours of post-processing."
ArcBlue C42 setup close-up from Jonathan Gazze product test
Jonathan Gazze avatar

Jonathan Gazze

"I could definitely see the potential, and the ArcBlue team is determined to make the reality."
PhotoJoseph presenting the ArcBlue C42 at NAB Show
PhotoJoseph avatar

PhotoJoseph

"This thing is absolutely unbelievable...It has 3-axis gimbal on that automatically does things like rotate the camera, to keep aligned with planet, stars. Configuration couldn't be easier."
Chasing Luminance presenting the ArcBlue C42 in a nighttime field scene
Chasing Luminance avatar

Chasing Luminance

"This one bit of gear could replace almost all of that, combining a precision star tracker, cooled astrophotography camera, smart mount, and onboard computer into a single system."
ArtIsRight close-up of the ArcBlue C42 controller showing constellation targeting
ArtIsRight avatar

ArtIsRight

"A field-first look at how C42 turns deep-sky imaging into a portable, guided, full-frame workflow."

Field Workflow Demo

Chapter 01

Professional Full-Frame Imaging System

Full-Frame Sensor With Richer Details

Powered by the Sony IMX410 full-frame sensor, C42 captures more light and cleaner low-light data for greater image clarity and post-processing flexibility.

24MP Full-Frame
CMOS Sensor
5.94um
Pixels
>80%
QE
<1.5e-
Noise
Rich full-frame nebula sample captured with a wide field of view

C42 Full-Frame Sensor

Wider Field of View
Higher Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Noisier APS-C sensor comparison sample with a narrower field of view

APS-C Sensor

Sharper Stars Through Long Exposures

Traditional guiding systems can introduce flex and alignment errors over time. C42 guides directly through the main imaging sensor, paired with precision tri-axis tracking for cleaner, sharper stars during exposures.

±0.5”
Tracking Accuracy
±5”
Periodic Error
Up to 10-Min
Exposure
C42 GWI tracking comparison mobile crop showing round stars beside conventional star trails

C42 GWI™ Tracking

10-Min Exposure Round Stars, No Field Rotation

Conventional Tracking

10-Min Exposure Trails from Flexure and Field Rotation

Sensor-level guiding illustration showing stars tracked directly on the imaging sensor

Patented Sensor-Level Guiding

  • Guides directly through the main sensor.
  • Zero optical path errors or flexure.
  • No extra guide scopes required.

Closed-Loop Encoder Tracking

  • Closed-loop encoder and servo real-time correction.
  • Advanced harmonic gears eliminate field rotation.
  • Observatory precision, backpack size.

Lower Noise Imaging With Cleaner Deep-Sky Detail

The C42 integrates active TEC cooling to drop temperatures by 30°C below ambient, completely neutralizing long-exposure noise accumulation to preserve pristine nebula structures.

<1.5e-
Read Noise
ΔT 30°C
TEC Cooling
Low-noise deep-sky crop captured with the C42 active TEC cooled sensor

Sensor Temp: -5°C

Active TEC Cooled

Minimized thermal noise accumulation

Pristine, clean deep-sky data

Uncooled deep-sky crop showing heavier thermal noise accumulation

Sensor Temp: 43°C

Uncooled Sensor

Severe thermal noise build-up

Details lost in long exposures

*Images shown at 400% crop for detailed noise.

29EV Extreme Dynamic Range

Full-frame, in-camera HDR fusion. Master extreme cosmic contrast by shifting from a pristine 14 EV native shot to a 29 EV merged file. Perfect highlight-to-shadow balance with zero manual masking.

14-BIT
RAW Depth (FITS)
14 EV
Single-Shot Native DR
29 EV
Max HDR Range
32-BIT
Float DNG (HDR Mode)
ArcBlue C42 HDR solar eclipse image preserving corona and shadow detail

ArcBlue C42 HDR Imaging

Preserved Detail Across Extreme Contrast

Conventional solar eclipse HDR image with clipped highlights and shadow detail loss

Conventional HDR Imaging

Lost Detail In Highlights & Shadows

Chapter 02

Open Optical System For Every Scale Of Universe

One Ecosystem For Three Targets

C42 consolidates your entire journey into one device. Effortlessly transition between wide-field nightscapes, deep-sky objects, and planetary imaging.

Wide nightscape sample with the Milky Way arching over a desert canyon

Nightscape

by Lucy Yunxi Hu

14-35mm

Lens

Wide angle camera lens for nightscape imaging
Deep-sky nebula sample with red and blue emission clouds

Deep Sky

50-800mm

Lens/Telescopes

Telephoto lenses and compact telescope for deep-sky imaging
Planetary-scale solar eclipse sample with fine corona detail

Planetary

1000-2000+mm

Telescopes

Long focal length telescope for planetary imaging

14mm

Ultra Wide

2000 mm +

Extreme Details

The First Cooled System With Native Lens Support

Engineered with an interchangeable faceplate system. Seamlessly swap between Sony E, Canon EF, Nikon Z, or M68 threads to match your existing lens collection or advanced telescope imaging trains.

Auto Focus & Aperture Control

Electronic Lens Communication

ArcBlue C42 camera body aligned with Sony and Canon camera lenses

3 Native Mounts: Sony E, Canon EF, or Nikon Z for adapter-free connections.Also expands to other lens ecosystems via standard third-party adapters.

A Scalable Ecosystem For Endless Versatility

C42 system is a flexible, open platform. Freely integrate with your own lenses, telescopes, and rigs as your photography ambitions grow.

C42 Camera

Full-Frame Imaging Core

ArcBlue C42 full-frame camera core render

Combines

  • Cooled Astro Camera
  • Guiding System
  • Control & Live Preview

Pulsar

Harmonic Equatorial Mount

3-axis framing with C42 dedicated CAA.External CAA compatible.

Pulsar harmonic equatorial mount render with telescope payload

Combines

  • 3-Axis Movement
  • Tracking / Pointing / Framing
  • Encoder-Assisted Tracking

Seamlessly Integrated With Your Gear.

Ultra-light nightscape kit with C42 camera and lens on tripod

Ultra-Light Nightscape Kit

C42 Camera + Lens

Wide-field nightscape kit with C42 system and wide-angle lens

Wide-Field Nightscape Kit

C42 Kit + Wide-angle lens

Deep-sky telephoto kit with C42 system and telephoto lens

Deep-Sky Telephoto Kit

C42 Kit + Telephoto Lens

Deep-sky and planetary kit with C42 system and telescope

Deep-Sky & Planetary Kit

C42 Kit + Telescope

DIY expansion kit with C42 camera, heavy-duty mount, and advanced telescope

DIY Expansion Kit

C42 Camera + heavy-duty equatorial mounts + advanced telescopes

Shoot The Sky, Wherever You Are.

Expedition imaging setup under the night sky
Expedition Imaging

Leave bulky gear behind. Pack the ultralight, detachable C42 camera deep into the wilderness.

Portable deep-sky imaging rig under the Milky Way
Field Imaging

Turn any campsite into a deep-sky observatory. Fast setup, offline GoTo, pure portability.

Remote observatory site with domes at dusk
Remote Observatory

Deploy once, run forever. Built-in Ethernet and integrated hardware ensure remote stability.

Backyard telescope setup under a suburban night sky
Backyard Observation

Mitigate city light pollution. Expand with filter wheels or drawers for deep-sky backyard imaging.

Astronomy livestreaming setup for sharing the night sky
Astronomy Livestreaming

Share the universe in real time with high-speed Ethernet and low-latency transmission.

Education and family stargazing session
Education / Family Stargazing

Inspire the next generation with an intuitive app interface and interactive star guides.

Chapter 03

Automated Workflow.
Creativity Remains Yours.

C42 handles the heavy lifting on-device, streamlining your entire workflow so you can focus entirely on the joy of the cosmos.

10min

C42 System Smart Pre-Shooting

1
Integrated Rapid Assembly(4 Devices, 2 Cables)
2

One-Step Automation

Alignment Focus GoTo Plate Solving Guiding Calibration
2
Setup Capture
3
Start

1hour

Traditional Deep-Sky Pre-Shooting

1
Discrete Component Setup(8+ Devices, 8+ Cables)
2
Align Polar Manually
3
Adjust Focus Manually
4
GoTo & Plate Solve
5
Tracking Correction
6
Setup Capture
7
Start

Simplify The Workflow. Enjoy The Night Sky.

Fast Deployment

Assemble in about 3 minutes, with fewer devices, cables and fewer steps.

ArcBlue app polar alignment screen showing automatic alignment progress

Automatic Alignment

Tri-axis tracking lets you start without manual polar alignment or star alignment.

ArcBlue app target composition interface framing Saturn in the night sky

Automated Composition

Plate solving and precision rotation place your target exactly where you want it.

ArcBlue sensor-level guiding interface over a Milky Way tracking scene

Stable Tracking

Sensor-level guiding and tri-axis tracking keep stars sharp without separate guide scopes or guide cameras.

Real-Time Monitoring On The Magnetic Touchscreen

Snap off the magnetic touchscreen to monitor framing and track progress in real time. Your phone stays completely free for texting, calling, or scrolling from the warmth of your tent.

One Tap Master-Level Automation

One tap automates tracking and capture. C42 cuts hours of manual work while preserving pure raw files, with an expanding roadmap of 50+ shooting workflows via future updates.

One-tap mosaic automation icon

One-Tap Mosaic

Sky-foreground blending automation icon

Sky-Foreground Blending

Multi-target overnight capture automation icon

Multi-Target Overnight Capture

ArcBlue Astro ISP processor chip on a blue circuit board background

Proprietary Astro-Grade ISP:

Calibration begins at sensor readout, while stacking and HDR fusion are applied during capture, improving image quality in real time.

Built-in high-speed storage module inside the ArcBlue C42 hardware

Built-In High-Speed Storage:

Up to 2TB of built-in storage supports real-time processing, preview, control, and high-volume FITS/DNG RAW imaging workflows.

Chapter 04

Ready For The Whole Night Shooting

ArcBlue C42 setup with 4H battery life graphic

Stay Powered. Stay Shooting.

The counterweight battery cuts extra gear by balancing and powering your setup simultaneously. With Type-C PD and hot-swap support, C42 ensures continuous shooting with less risk of lost captures.

Up To 4H

Buffer Runtime

Dual Power

Camera + Mount

~2H Runtime

With TEC Cooling

ArcBlue C42 operating across snow and desert conditions

Stability For Real-World Conditions

Designed to operate reliably in demanding outdoor environments, so your session keeps running through the night.

-20°C To 40°C

Camera + Mount

Aluminum Alloy

Durable Body

Anti-Dew Heater

Fault Alerts

ArcBlue C42 screen showing OTA upgrade progress

Built To Evolve

C42 system is a long-term investment. Enjoy 3 years of major feature upgrades and 5 years of software maintenance via seamless OTA updates, continuously delivering new workflows and optimized performance.

3 Years

Major Upgrades

5 Years

Maintenance

OTA Updates

New Workflows

Technical Data

01 CAMERA NAME C42 Camera
02 SENSOR TYPE Sony IMX410
03 EFFECTIVE PIXELS 24.0 Megapixels
04 THERMAL REG TEC Cooling (ΔT 30°C / 54°F)
05 ONBOARD STORAGE User Selectable (Up to 2TB)
06 MOUNT SYSTEM Native Sony E-Mount (adapts Canon EF, Nikon F, telescope systems, and other mounts with FFD > 18 mm)
07 POWER CYCLE 4h Tracking + Imaging
08 DATA INTERFACE WiFi / Gigabit Ethernet / USB-C / Bluetooth / USB 2.0
09 WEIGHT MASS 0.8 kg (1.76 lb) Camera / 2.54 kg (5.6 lb) Gimbal
10 FILTER SUPPORT M68 Version: Directly compatible with Electronic Filter Wheels (EFW) and filter drawers. E/Z-Mount Version: Optimized for Clip-in filters, ideal for short-backfocus native mirrorless lenses. Universal Compatibility: Supports 3rd-party filter drawers via adapters (for EF/F-mount lenses or long-backfocus telescope systems).
01 MOUNT NAME Pulsar Harmonic Equatorial Mount
02 MODEL VERSIONS Pulsar 7 / Pulsar 14
03 PAYLOAD CAPACITY Pulsar 7: 3 Kg / 6.6 Lb;Pulsar 14: 6 Kg / 13.2 Lb
04 WEIGHT 2.54 Kg / 5.6 Lb
05 AXIS CONFIGURATION Three-Axis: RA, DEC, CAA
06 DRIVE TECHNOLOGY Harmonic Drive On RA And DEC Axes
07 MOTOR CONTROL Closed-Loop Servo Control
08 ENCODER Encoder-Assisted Tracking
09 MOUNT TRACKING ACCURACY ≤ 1 Arcsec/Min
10 PERIODIC ERROR Actively Corrected Via Closed-Loop Control
11 FINAL IMAGING ACCURACY ≤ ±0.5 pixel with Sensor-Level Guiding
ArcBlue C42 full-frame camera with detachable magnetic touchscreen on the Pulsar tri-axis mount

C42 Full-Frame Camera

Detachable Magnetic
Touchscreen

Pulsar Tri-Axis Harmonic
Equatorial Mount

ArcBlue open optical system with camera angle adjuster and counterweight battery

Camera Angle Adjuster (CAA)

Open Optical System

Counterweight Battery

ArcBlue C42 full-frame camera with detachable magnetic touchscreen on the Pulsar tri-axis mount

C42 Full-Frame Camera

Detachable Magnetic
Touchscreen

Pulsar Tri-Axis Harmonic
Equatorial Mount

ArcBlue open optical system with camera angle adjuster and counterweight battery

Camera Angle Adjuster (CAA)

Open Optical System

Counterweight Battery

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET:

  • · Purchase At The Lowest Price
  • · Exclusive Beta Tester Opportunities
  • · Invitation To The ArcBlue Official Group