Re: CCD cameras

Stephen Dillinger (fmicos!argus!dillinge@uunet.uu.net)
Fri, 17 Mar 95 11:48:57 MST

I've been folling the EE trade magazines for some time now looking at what's new in CCD chips and cameras. It seems that electronic imaging is starting to move into mainstream computer use so I'm hopeful that astronomical applications will be able to leech off of "general" consumer electronics.

So far all of the ads I've seen (and info I've sent for) have not been terribly useful for astro-imaging. They are still stuck with 8-bit A/Ds for one thing. Also, most have been interline CCD arrays not frame transfer devices.

The particular camera you describe sounds very similar to one from Polaris Industries. Their CCD camera uses a 1/3" Interline Transfer CCD, 512x492 pixels, S/N 45dB (8-bit D/A), sensitivity 0.1 LUX, weight 0.9 oz (15 grams). Prices range from $139.95 to $169.95. The obvious drawback is their use of an interline transfer device and an 8-bit A/D converter.

............... Steve