CCDs (charge-coupled devices) have revolutionized optical astronomy during the past 20 years, first for professionals and now for amateurs. Specialized astronomical CCD cameras provide more than ten times the sensitivity of the fastest photographic film, and delivers digital images that are readily computer enhanced to improve resolution and cut through 'light pollution'. Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art contains techniques, advice, hints, tips and spectacular color images from world experts in CCD astronomy from North America and Europe. Their insights are illustrated with many beautiful color images - in fact, the book features full colour throughout. Techniques range from using simple webcams to highly technical aspects such as supernovae patrolling, computer processing, stacking, and image-enhancement. Simply stated, this is required reading for all serious amateur astronomers who spend time photographing the night sky and want to do so with the latest accessible equipment.

Klappentext

Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series

DIGITAL ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY

The State of the Art

This book is the successor to David Ratledge's much-acclaimed The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy.

CCD cameras and their associated technologies have continued to make great strides since the original book was first published almost eight years ago, particularly in the universal availability of color cameras and in the dramatically lower cost of equipment.

Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art provides examples of the latest and best images, and describes how to get the best out of this extraordinary technology.

Experts in CCD astronomy from North America and Europe have contributed, illustrating their help and advice with many beautiful color images. The techniques explained here range from the use of inexpensive webcams, through to highly technical aspects such as supernovae patrolling. Computer processing, stacking and image-enhancement are also detailed, along with many hints and tips from the experts.

Zusammenfassung
In the years since The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy was ?rst published, digital imaging has been transformed from what was, in reality, a minority int- est to mainstream. Not even the most committed of CCD devotees could have predicted the few years it would take for digital imaging to supplant ?lm. We all probably guessed that a new age was dawning, but the speed at which silicon sensors came to dominate the photography market was simply staggering. New areas also appeared. No one predicted webcams would become the instrument of choice for imaging the planets. Afocal photography re-emerged in digital format. For mainstream imaging, color has become almost the norm. It was therefore time for a new book and one in color! If you read the astronomical magazines, you are, no doubt, familiar with the names and images of our contributors. Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, Night Sky, Astronomy Now and other leading magazines from around the world have all included their work, in terms of both images for their gallery sections and feature articles.

Inhalt
Afocal Photography with Digital Cameras.- An Introduction to Webcam Imaging.- Long-Exposure Webcams and Image Stacking Techniques.- Deep-Sky Imaging with a Digital SLR.- IRIS: Astronomical Image-Processing Software.- High-Resolution Imaging of the Planets.- High-Resolution CCD Imaging.- Out-Smarting Light Pollution.- The Hybrid Image: A New Astro-Imaging Philosophy.- Amateur Spectroscopy in the 21st Century.- Successful Patrolling for Supernovae.