Follow step by step the history of Astrel Instruments form the conceiving of the smart camera concept to the successes of today

Dec, 2010

Andrea Ricciardi and Antonio Cerruto conceive the idea of a innovative smart camera for astronomy.

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Mar, 2011

The first prototype of a smart camera based on KAF8300 CCD sensor and Sitara AM1808 microprocessor shoots its first light photos.

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Apr, 2012

AST8300-A starts its production field test.

Mar, 2013

Andrea Ricciardi and Antonio Cerruto found ASTREL INSTRUMENTS srl company.

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May, 2014

The INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) contracts out the study and prototyping of miniature CMOS cameras to be used in the secondary guide system of the MOONS ((Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) of the ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal in Chile.

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May, 2014

INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) selects a customized version of AST8300-A for ESO (European Southern Observatory) to equip the LPC (Laser Guide Star - Pointing Camera) of VLT Telescope on Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

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Jun, 2014

AST8300-A is on the market.

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May, 2015

Astrel Instruments in collaboration with INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) completes the first commissioning phase of LPC (Laser Pointing Camera) for the 4-LGS (Laser Guide Star) of ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

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Apr, 2016

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the AST8300-B a new upgraded version of the previous "A" model: same smart camera concept, more features, more processing power.

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Apr, 2018

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST16200-B on the market. With this new product based on KAF16200 Astrel enters in the high-end product market.

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May, 2018

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST8300-X on the market. This is a new low-cost version of AST8300-B.

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Dec, 2018

Astrel Instruments completes the production of 20 CMOS cameras for the guide system of the MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) of the ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

Dec, 2018

Sky&Telescope awards Astrel Instruments stand alone deepsky smartcameras as HOT PRODUCT 2019.

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Apr, 2019

Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST183-X on the market. With this camera based on Sony IMX183 sensor Astrel Instruments enters in the CMOS astrocamera market.

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Jan, 2020

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Astrel completed the commissioning two AAS (Aircraft Avoidance System) Smart CMOS cameras commissioned by the ESO (European Southern Observatory) for LGS (Laser Guide Star) LPC (Laser Pointing Camera) project at VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal, Chile.

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