During the late 1990s, many amateur astronomers switched to powerful CCD (charged couple device) cameras, the same equipment used by observatories. CCD technology consists of a chip with an array of semiconductors that develop a charge when contacting light. CCD devices have the capacity to measure individual photons and discriminate between light frequencies. Consequently, with this advanced technology, astronomers and astrophotographers can view deep sky images in greater detail.

1. By Steve Shellman, Ph.D.

2. The Advantages of CCD Cameras in
Astrophotography
During the late 1990s, many amateur astronomers
switched to powerful CCD (charged couple device)
cameras, the same equipment used by observatories.
CCD technology consists of a chip with an array of
semiconductors that develop a charge when contacting
light. CCD devices have the capacity to measure
individual photons and discriminate between light
frequencies. Consequently, with this advanced
technology, astronomers and astrophotographers can
view deep sky images in greater detail.

3. The Advantages of CCD Cameras in
Astrophotography
The CCD camera is designed for use with telescopes,
and when placed on a mount, it replaces the eyepiece
of a telescope. The camera connects to a computer that
facilitates the capture and storage of images through
specialized software. Astrophotographers can then
export these images into photo editing applications to
perfect the images.

4. The Advantages of CCD Cameras in
Astrophotography
The CCD camera offers many advantages for
astrophotographers. Compared to digital SLR cameras, CCD
cameras are many times more sensitive to light, and this lessens
the necessary exposure time for capturing faint images. This
sensitivity also means that using filters is easier. Additionally,
these cameras take excellent wide angle shots. When taking long
exposures of galaxies and nebulae, astrophotographers use a
technique called guiding. To facilitate guiding, CCD cameras
have built-in guiding chips to simplify the process. Furthermore,
CCD chips produce images with fewer pixel defects. Finally, CCD
cameras often feature thermoelectric cooling that reduces noise.
Overall, the CCD camera is unsurpassed when it comes to
amateur astrophotography, but it remains an expensive camera
technology.

5. About the Author
An amateur astronomer who resides in Williamsburg,
Virginia, Stephen M. Shellman enjoys
astrophotography and sharing astro images on his
website, www.atticbluffsobservatory.com. By
profession, he is a social scientist with a Ph.D. in
Political Science who conducts research on the causes
and consequences of international political conflict
and terrorism.