CCD Imaging Techniques

These are a few of the CCD imaging techniques I've used over the past 9 years. The most important thing I've
learned is that CCD Imaging is a time consuming hobby that requires a tremendous amount of patience, but can
be extremely rewarding when the pictures are finally processed.

CCD's field of view is very small, but it can record extremely faint objects. Imaging is more about the camera,
telescope and software than actually looking at what you are imaging. Seeing objects displayed on a monitor is
still quite a thrill, but seeing the processed final image makes everything worth the effort. An imaging session is
considered successful if you can get one good image.

Pre-defined imaging plan allows for a smooth session and maximum use of your time at the scope. I try to keep
my sessions near the end of the week. The Sky Level V keeps an eye on the sky with a 'real-time virtual view'.

Watch the general weather conditions before sunset. The glow of the twilight sky as sunset starts, gives you the first clue. A blue twilight sky and orange
sunset usually indicate a clear night ahead. During hot Texas summer months, a dull red sinking Sun will indicate a milky gray night sky, but the sight of a yellow
white Sun on the horizon promises a clear night ahead.

Watch the twinkle of the stars. Twinkling to the naked eye implies air movement. Cities in general generate a lot of heat from their concrete and asphalt.
During the warm summers, if it's not very thick, haze often indictes the atmosphere is steady. If all of the stars appear as single "untwinkling" points of unchanging
color brightness, then the full potential of the telescope optics and CCD system can be realized.

A clear and steady night calls for an imaging session because the weather in Texas changes rather quickly and it could be days or a week before clear weather
comes round again. Image on nights before the Moon rises and before it reaches 1st quarter. Otherwise, the Moon's glow is bright, though it's not a problem for
the CCD, the Moon washs out the sky and reduces galaxy and nebulae contrasts if you want to take a visual look.

I live outside of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex area, so I never get to see really "dark skies", but 60 miles southwest of
Fort Worth is Cleburne National State Park. There the sky is pitch black and the Milky Way glows like a band of glitter.
So from my location, imaging late at night when the local businesses turn their lights off and "go to sleep", offers the best
imaging conditions. With a broadband pollution filter, suburban imaging can be quite rewarding.

During the hot Texas summer months, the mosquito is a frequent pest. I use a butane powered "Mosquito Repellent"
by ThermaCELL - it really works great, providing a 15 ft. diameter of insect protection. It is still a thrill to see celestial
objects with your own eyes, so night adaptation is necessary for any serious visual observing. Telescope optics take
about 45 mins to "cool down" or "heat up" to the outside temp which is enough for eyes to dark-adapt, but a look at a
bright light and you'll have to start all over.




December 2000 tried remotely controlled the telescope from inside the "sunroom" of my home. The scope was located
15ft. from the house. I'd stay indoors during Texas winter nights, a nice change from sitting outside in the cold.

February 2002 PC Focusing System was installed for precisely focused mega-pixel CCD images.

August 2003 moved into a new home 10 miles south of Arlington, Texas on a 1/4 acre near Joe Pool Lake.

December 11th and 13th of 2004 was the first serious imaging I have done in over 2-1/2 years. I was a bit rusty, but
it didn't take long for it to come back. I setup three concrete pads for the telescope tripod until I get the observatory
purchased and installed in the middle of the backyard. The dark skies of my first viewing of Comet Machholz along
with M1, M42, and M57 was quite a thrill after all those years, even thought it was windy and 40 degrees.

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Document last updated: 9/8/05

Copyright © 2010 Calvin Hill