The new edition of this comprehensive reference on astronomy observation methods and techniques includes recent developments in astronomical detectors and instrumentation, from the invention of the CCD in 1970 to the current era of huge telescopes.

The second edition of Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation describes the remarkable developments that have taken place in astronomical detectors and instrumentation in recent years from the invention of the charge-coupled device (CCD) in 1970 to the current era of very large telescopes, such as the Keck 10-meter telescopes in Hawaii with their laser guide-star adaptive optics which rival the image quality of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Authored by one of the world's foremost experts on the design and development of electronic imaging systems for astronomy, this book has been written on several levels to appeal to a broad readership. Mathematical expositions are designed to encourage a wider audience, especially among the growing community of amateur astronomers with small telescopes with CCD cameras. The book can be used at the college level for an introductory course on modern astronomical detectors and instruments, and as a supplement for a practical or laboratory class.

Collects all the fundamental astronomical observing techniques and methods into a single reference work Unlike competing books, written at a level that will serve both advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as advanced amateur astronomers interested in this significant area of modern observational astronomy Illustrates a wide range of principles and techniques using detailed case studies Provides invaluable guidance for anyone interested in the design, development and characterisation of astronomical instrumentation Presents the underlying principles behind the cameras, spectrometers and telescopes used to make important astronomical discoveries

Autorentext
Dr. McLean has been a member of the faculty at UCLA and Director of the UCLA Infrared Laboratory for Astrophysics since 1989. He has served as Vice Chair for Astronomy since 2009. The IR Lab at UCLA is well-known for the development of many astronomical instruments for the Keck Observatory and other telescopes. Dr. McLean is one of the world s leading authorities on the application of electronic imaging systems to advanced astronomical instrumentation. He has written over 300 articles and his current book, Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: detectors and instrumentation, published by Springer is in its second edition.
Dr. McLean received his BSc(Hons) in Physics & Astronomy and his PhD in Astronomy from Glasgow University (UK) in 1971 and 1974 respectively. While a member of staff at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh from 1979-1989 he developed the first CCD-based imaging spectro-polarimeter and the first facility-class camera for the 3.8-m UK Infrared Telescope to use infrared arrays. Since joining UCLA, his lab has delivered or assisted in all of the currently operational infrared instruments at the W. M. Keck Observatory. Dr. McLean was the principal investigator for the NIRSPEC and MOSFIRE instruments at Keck, the twin-channel infrared camera at Lick Observatory and the FLITECAM instrument for NASA s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. He served on the Science Steering Committee for the W. M. Keck Observatory for ten years and he is an Associate Director of the University of California Observatories. Dr. McLean is a former president of IAU Commission 25 (Photometry and Polarimetry) and a former president of IAU Commission 9 (Instrumentation and Techniques). He is a member of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the Society of Professional Instrument Engineers (SPIE). His research interests are broad. From his early career he is known for many discoveries involving the intrinsic polarization of starlight. Currently, his main research involves the study of sub-stellar mass objects (brown dwarfs), star forming regions, the galactic center, and star-formation in high-redshift galaxies. His web site bdssarchive.org provides a public data base of infrared spectra for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs.

Inhalt
The development of electronic imaging in astronomy.- Beating the atmosphere.- Telescopes.- The discovery power of modern astronomical instruments.- Instrumentation and detectors.- Designing and building astronomical instruments.- Charge-coupled devices.- Practical operation of CCDs.- Characterization and calibration of array instruments.- Image processing and analysis.- Electronic imaging at infrared wavelengths.- Electronic imaging at ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths.- Electronic imaging at sub-millimeter and radio wavelengths.- Future developments.