The New
Astronomy: Chapter 4
Cover photo: © Tony Hallas
The Hardware You Need
There is a whole lot of hardware out there that you can use for CCD imaging. Cameras some in a bewildering array of types, sizes, and costs. And matching up your telescope and camera is more important than you might think, so I've included guidelines that will help you choose wisely. Your mount will also play a big role in determining what you can image successfully, so there's plenty of information on how to choose the right mounts, and how to get the most out of whatever mount you use.
Start
with a Solid Mount
- Mounts by Type
- Mount Requirements
- Mount Options
Selecting a Telescope
- Focal Length Issues
- Telescope Types for CCD Imaging
Choosing Accessories
- Guidescope, Autoguider, or What?
- Focal Reducers and Field Flatteners
- Filter Wheels/Bars
- Adaptive Optics
- Other Accessories
Choosing Cameras and Software
- Camera Types
- Cameras by Manufacturer
- Image Processing Software
Not Exactly CCD
- Consumer Digital Cameras
- Astro-Specific Video Cameras
- Low-Cost Video Cameras and Camcorders
The scope and mount you use help determine the quality of
your CCD images. This Takahashi FC-125 and NJP-160 mount
provide crisp, steady images to record on my CCD camera.
But good imaging doesn't have to be expensive; I've included
some budget options that can do outstanding imaging.
Image Copyright 2000 by Ron Wodaski