Abstract
This paper deals with the study and the fabrication of an intensified C.C.D. camera for guiding telescopes or for searching fields containing faint stars. It describes the sensor of the camera (by connecting the Thomson C.C.D. and the RTC image intensifier) and its three working modes. The first is the direct exploitation of the video signal sent to the TV monitor, in conformity with the C.C.I.R. standard (the N.T.S.C. standard is also available). However, the study of stability and sensitivity of the intensifier lead us to create a second working mode necessary for the correct detection of faint objects (by an “averaging filter” improving the signal to noise ratio). The last mode is the “integration” by the C.C.D. itself: it allows a maximum of three-seconds integration time (therefore the detection of fainter objects), with the help of a thermoelectric cooling system. Moreover, the tests made on the 1.52 meter telescope of the O.A.N. (Calar-Alto, Spain) have been successful and confirm the capabilities of this camera to replace the intensified TV tube cameras, like the super-isocon camera.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G.D.TOWLER and P.SWAINSTON, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics, Vol 33 B, 961–978, 1972, Academic Press, London. “Assessing the performance of low light-level camera tubes”.
D.G.THEODOROU and J.C.PICKELS, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics, Vol 33 B, 979–997, 1972, Academic Press, London. “Salient sensor characteristics for low-light TV systems”.
D.P. MOUSER, IEEE, Transactions on Broadcasting, Vol. BC-15, No2, June 1969. “The Image Isocon — A Low-Light Television Tube”.
F.GEX, Acta Electronica 27, 3–4, 1987, 247–257 “Applications à l'astronomie de l'intensification d'image”.
J.G. TIMOTHY, 1066/Optical Engineering/November/December 1985/Vol. 24, No 6 “Multianode microchannel array detector systems: performances characteristics”.
CAMBION Company, Notes No 01104, Cambridge Thermionic Corporation, 445 Concord Ave., Cambridge, Mass. 02238 “Application Notes for Cambion Thermoelectric Devices”
Liang-Tai George CHIU, Ap. J. Suppl. 44, 31–71, sept. 1980 ‘Classification of stellar populations and luminosity classes from accurate proper motions’.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Herpe, G., Chevreton, M., Robin, J.C. et al. An intensified C.C.D. camera for telescope guidance. Exp Astron 2, 163–177 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566684
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566684