Ron Wodaski's Astronomy Stuff

The New Astronomy: How to Capture the Stars with a CCD Camera in Your Own Back Yard.

The CCD camera is revolutionizing astrophotography. My new book tells you how to take and process great images with a CCD camera. Please visit the book's web site to see a complete outline and a sample chapter.  
 
CCD Images

Reviews

Tutorials

Miscellaneous

 

Equipment

Scope #1: Takahashi FCT-150. It's taken several years to get one, but this scope has proved out to be an incredible one for both visual and imaging use. The combination of superb optics and medium field of view is perfectly matched to the ST-8E ABG and FLI CM-10 cameras that I use. Check out the New FCT-150 Images link to see what this scope can do.

Scope #2: Brandon 80mm APO.  Not really an APO; this is an  acrhomat. I use it as my guider for the STV. Experience has shown that a fast (f/6) and short (500mm) guidescope is ideal for the STV, even when imaging at focal lengths of 3500mm.

Scope #3: The Takahashi FC-60 is gone. I traded it for the Brandon because the Tak's f/8.3 optics were not fast enough to get optimal use out of the STV. I will miss it for casual visual use, however.

CCD Camera #1: SBIG ST-8E ABG camera. The enhanced version of the Kodak chip is definitely a worthwhile investment. I have  the antiblooming version of the chip, and I have really enjoyed the ability to take LONG exposures (up to 30 minutes) without the slightest bit of a problem from blooming. The better blue response is also wonderful.

CCD Camera #2: FLI CM-10E camera. Built around the KAF-3200 chip, this camera has 6.8 pixels and provides high resolution with the FCT-150. The combination of the FCT's great optics and the camera's small pixels makes for very fine imaging on those steady nights. This camera is going away to be upgraded to the ME version of the chip for even greater quantum efficiency.

Mount: Software Bisque Paramount 1100s. An absolutely dream mount. Incredibly accurate, robust, and built like a tank.