Abstract
Existing charge-coupled device (CCD) video cameras have been modified to be used for astronomical imaging on telescopes in order to improve imaging times over those of photography. An astronomical CCD camera at the Texas A&M Observatory would enhance the Observational Astronomy program by allowing one to make high resolution observations. A general purpose CCD camera was modified to be mounted on a 14 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope to perform astronomical imaging. A video capture board on a personal computer was used to digitize the CCD video images. In addition, an image intensifier was placed on top of the CCD to increase low-light sensitivity. The capabilities of this system were then tested. The CCD and image intensifier combination can see stars as faint as magnitude 12.9 at the normal video frame rate of 30 frames per second. While the resolution of this system is poorer than that of the telescope, it does make relatively high resolution measurements of faint objects much faster than unaided telescopes allows. A detailed discussion of this system and its capabilities will be presented.
Lamecker, James Frank (1993). Upgrading a CCD camera for astronomical use. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1993 -THESIS -L228.