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CCD Astronomy - Homemade!

Thinking about buying a CCD camera or even building one? .

Reading all those ads about CCD cameras, one could easily believe that all you have to do to get superb images of faint celestial objects is to get your own CCD camera.
But think twice: A CCD camera is an electronic device which requires exactly the same knowledge and accuracy as any imaging device such as traditional cameras and so on. Even more you will need some computer knowledge and be willing to learn a lot about dark frames, flat frames, image processing, image formats and so on.
But despite all those requirements you will be able to detect even very faint objects, comets, asteroids, galaxies and so on in a very short time. And if you live in a suburban environment you will be able to reduce those light pollution effects and be able to take valuable pictures even during full moon!
Today I would not use my Pentax camera anymore except for wide angle images or very bright objects. I really learnt to love those rasterized, grainy images.
But taking a picture with a CCD camera can be very time-consuming. Especially if you don't have a permanent observation site where you can have your equipment installed all year long, the procedure to set up an instrument properly can be surprisingly extensive. I tried to give a short description on the process that I usually perform every time, when trying to take a picture. And by the way, I won't be able to tell if the sight conditions are well until having set up my instrument...

Set up tripod and telescope

raw alignment of tripod,
elevation,
set up of Newton tube,
set up of Telrad Finder Scope

about 15 '

Installation of various devices

set up of laptop computer (486/90),
connect laptop to interface,
prepare wiring and current,
set up pre-amplifier,
set up camera,
install recta and decli-controls,
clear water cooling of bubbles,
insert and check barlow lens,
align finder scope

about 30 '

Switch on and Tests

Switch on laptop,
Switch on and check pump (cooling)
Switch on and check Recta-controls
Switch on and check camera, Switch on cross-hair-finder

about 15 '

Fine Alignment

Fine tune counter weights
Fine tune collimation (Laser collimator)
Fine tune polar alignment
Fine tune Recta-Motion
Adjust REF-level of camera

about 20 '

Checks

Imaging mode (laptop)
Focusing
Recta-Motion
RMS-noise

REF-level of camera

about 10 '

Preparation of Image Capturing

Capture Flat Field Frame
Set up Focusing Mask
Fine adjust focus
Remove Focusing Mask
Switch to Find-Mode (laptop)
Capture Dark Mask in find modus and image mode (!)
Search and Find object

about 15 '

Shoot an Image

Capture Flat Field Frame
Integrate image(s)
Take dark mask
Check and save image
make entry in observation log
continue
enjoy!!!!!!!

as long as you can!

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E-mail: daniel.sch@bluewin.ch, for your comments, questions, ideas.