There are two types of video cameras for astrophotography. The first is planetary cameras, used for imaging solar system objects at high frame rates. The other are deep-sky video cameras, which integrate longer exposures to give a "real time" view...
When it comes to telescopes for visual observation, bigger is better: a larger aperture will gather more light and the observer will see more at the eyepiece. For CCD imaging, on the other hand, aperture is less important. What really...
Since there are different requirements for imaging than for visual observation, the setup of your telescope will likely be slightly different for CCD imaging than you may be used to for visual observing. Everything must be more precise when it...
Properly balancing your telescope is one of the most important steps in setting up to take CCD images. Improper balance is also one of the biggest sources of problems for imagers. Taking some extra time to understand the concepts behind...
Accurate polar alignment is critical for CCD imaging. Field rotation, a trailing of stars near the edges of an image, can result from improper polar alignment. Even short exposures such as planetary images can benefit from good polar alignment as...
While this seems like a straightforward procedure, there are some tricks to assembling all the imaging accessories which will help you avoid problems during an imaging session. Mounting the CCD Camera There are quite a few different ways to attach...
While setting up your computer for CCD imaging is pretty straightforward, there are a couple tips and tricks which can prevent problems you might run into. Laptop Settings It is important to turn off certain power-saving features before beginning CCD...
There are many options to consider when choosing a CCD camera, but usually there are a couple majors factors which can make the decision easier. Admittedly cost is one of the most important factors, but there can be a variety...
Below are the most common accessories used by beginning CCD imagers to make life under the stars a little easier. Dew Shields and Heaters Moisture forming on the front lens of a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope can easily ruin a CCD imaging...
