SharpCap

What is SharpCap?

SharpCap is an easy-to-use and powerful astronomy camera capture tool. It supports a wide range of dedicated astronomy cameras as well as webcams and USB frame grabbers.

A wide range of features makes SharpCap suitable for many types of astro-imaging including Planetary, Lunar, Solar, Deep Sky and EAA (Electronically Assisted Astronomy). A clear and logical UI makes the program easy for beginners to use. Comprehensive documentation will also help those who are just getting started.

Latest News

SharpCap 4.1 has now been released. Read more about what’s new and then download here.

Features

Intuitive and Easy to UseLogical application layout using standard, familiar Windows UI elements
Video and Still CaptureCapture video to AVI, SER, WMV and ADV formats; still images to PNG, FITS, TIFF and JPG
Planetary, Solar and Lunar ImagingSupport for high-speed cameras including USB3 speeds for lucky imaging
Deep Sky ImagingExposure time only limited by camera capabilities. Camera can be run in still mode.
Image ProcessingApply dark frame subtraction, flat frame correction, background removal and banding suppression and more directly within SharpCap. Flat frames can be applied for  high speed imaging. [PRO]
Live Stacking/EAASee live deep sky images build on screen, each frame aligned and derotated before adding to the stack
Planetary/Solar/Lunar Live StackingRevolutionary live stacking, sharpening and enhancement of planetary, solar and lunar images while you watch inside SharpCap.
Polar AlignmentPolar align using your guidescope – the easiest to use polar alignment tool available! [PRO]
Automated ImagingConfigure sophisticated imaging sequences to run automatically using the SharpCap Sequence Editor and the Deep Sky and Solar System Sequence Planners  [PRO]
Deep Sky Framing AssistanceNo more guessing how far to nudge the mount to center a target using click-to-recenter.  [PRO]
Push-To AssistantFind targets easily without a GOTO mount by using plate solving via SharpCap’s Push-To assistant [PRO]
Solar/Lunar Mosaic AutomationRun Solar or Lunar mosaics using SharpCap and your GOTO mount – SharpCap will plan the panels required and capture them automatically [PRO]
Full Control of CameraFull set of camera controls available alongside the capture area
High Quality HistogramEnsure proper exposure settings – use selection box to show histogram of a limited area
Flexible File NamingEvery capture file gets a unique name, you can configure how they are organised by target, date, time, etc. Advanced users can setup templates for maximum flexibility.
Capture Settings SavedCamera settings used saved alongside every capture file – no forgetting what settings you used.
Quick CapturePre-defined video lengths by frame count and time to get capturing quickly
Flexible CaptureRun captures of custom lengths, run sequences of captures at regular intervals
Focus AidsAssistance in measuring quality of focus for planets, stars and surface images. Six focus score algorithms.
ASCOM Hardware SupportControl your ASCOM hardware, including focusers, telescope mounts, filter wheels, rotators and switch devices from within SharpCap
Remote Hardware SupportControl remote hardware (and cameras) via ASCOM Remote and Indigo
Plate SolvingPlate solve using SharpCap’s built in plate solving engine (no additional application installs needed) or use AstroTortilla/ASPS/Ansvr/Astap to sync your ASCOM mount to the correct position automatically.
Zoomable PreviewZoom the preview in to see fine detail, zoom out to see entire frame from high resolution cameras.
ReticuleMovable, resizable reticule for alignment, centering, collimation, etc.
Scripting LanguageSharpCap doesn’t quite do what you want? Add your own functionality using Python scripting. [PRO]
Autofocus AssistanceAuto scan for and return to point of best focus [PRO]
Smart HistogramNo more guessing at deep sky imaging settings [PRO]
Feature TrackingAutomatically track image features during high speed imaging [PRO]
Seeing MonitorKeep track of the quality of seeing in an objective way
Seeing Triggered CaptureAutomatically capture when the seeing passes a set threshold [PRO]
Sensor AnalysisLet SharpCap automatically measure the characteristics (read noise and e/ADU) of your astro camera
Optimized Memory UseUse your PC memory to reduce dropped frames when capturing [PRO]
Mini Histogram + Display StretchAlways on mini histogram with display stretch tools – see the faint stuff on screen without altering saved data.
ADC AlignmentAssistance in adjusting your atmospheric dispersion corrector to get great planetary images.

Supported Cameras

ZWO Cameras
Altair Cameras
QHY Cameras
Starlight Xpress Cameras
Webcams and Frame Grabbers
Cameras with an ASCOM Driver
Celestron / Imaging Source Cameras
Point Grey (FLIR) Cameras
Basler Cameras
AstcamPan Cameras
Player One Cameras
Atik Cameras
Moravian Instruments Cameras
SVBony Cameras
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ZWO Cameras
Altair Cameras
QHY Cameras
Starlight Xpress Cameras
Webcams and Frame Grabbers
Cameras with an ASCOM Driver
Celestron / Imaging Source Cameras
Point Grey (FLIR) Cameras
Basler Cameras
AstcamPan Cameras
Player One Cameras
Atik Cameras
Moravian Instruments Cameras
SVBony Cameras
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Supported Astronomy Cameras

Supported Webcams / Frame Grabbers

  • Almost all webcams
  • Most frame grabbers
  • Special support for adjusting parameters of the SPC900 webcam in the settings panel
  • LX modified SPC900 cameras (SharpCap 3.0 and earlier versions)

Screenshots

Using SharpCap

There are some great tutorials on using SharpCap for Astrophotography over on the Tutorials board at the SharpCap Forums. You can also find more SharpCap video tutorials on Youtube. If you prefer written documentation, you can find it here.

Getting SharpCap

Head on over to the Downloads page.

Upgrade to SharpCap Pro – only £12 a year