Introduction To Digital Astrophotography,9780943396835

Introduction To Digital Astrophotography

by ; ;
ISBN13: 9780943396835
ISBN10: 0943396832
Format: Hardcover
Pub. Date: 2004-12-01
Publisher(s): Willmann-Bell
List Price: $46.60

Rent Textbook

Select for Price
Add to Cart
There was a problem. Please try again later.

New Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

Used Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eTextbook

We're Sorry
Not Available

Buy from our Marketplace starting at $25.93

How Marketplace Works:

  • This item is offered by an independent seller and not shipped from our warehouse
  • Item details like edition and cover design may differ from our description; see seller's comments before ordering.
  • Sellers much confirm and ship within two business days; otherwise, the order will be cancelled and refunded.
  • Marketplace purchases cannot be returned to eCampus.com. Contact the seller directly for inquiries; if no response within two days, contact customer service.
  • Additional shipping costs apply to Marketplace purchases. Review shipping costs at checkout.

Table of Contents

Preface Why Do Astrophotography? ix
Foreword xv
Acknowledgements xvii
Entering the Digital Realm
1(24)
Introduction
1(2)
Is Digital Good Enough for Astrophotography?
3(2)
Is Digital Astrophotography Hard to Master?
5(5)
The Digital Advantage
10(2)
Comparing Digital and Film Cameras
12(2)
Expectations
14(3)
For Instant Gratification, Shoot the Moon
17(1)
Improving Your Moon Shots
18(7)
Digital Imaging Using a Webcam
25(24)
Introduction
25(2)
Basic Equipment for Webcam Imaging
27(2)
Setting Up for a Webcam Imaging Session
29(2)
Using a Webcam for Astrophotography
31(9)
Image Processing Using RegiStax
40(9)
The Differences Between Film and Digital Cameras
49(32)
Introduction
49(1)
How Digital Cameras Work
50(2)
Noise
52(5)
Random Noise
53(3)
Non-Random Noise
56(1)
Image Sensors
57(1)
Sensors Are an Evolving Technology
58(2)
Color
60(3)
Tri-color Filters
60(1)
RGB Bayer Pattern Filters
61(1)
Foveon Sensors
62(1)
Sensitivity
63(2)
Resolution
65(1)
Fill Factor and Microlenses
65(1)
Sensor Size, Aspect Ratio and Perspective
66(2)
Four-Thirds System to Standardize DSLR Cameras
68(2)
Film and Digital Sensors Record Light Differently
70(2)
Effective Number of Pixels versus Actual Pixels
72(1)
Interpolated Pixels
73(1)
AD Converter
73(1)
Image Buffer
74(1)
Image Transfer Speed
75(1)
White Balance
75(1)
Shutter Lag
76(1)
LCD Preview Screen
77(1)
Is It Time to Go Digital?
78(3)
Digital Astrophotography's Special Considerations
81(28)
Care of Digital Cameras
81(1)
Dust and Dirt on the Imaging Sensor
82(5)
The Recording Medium Never Changes
87(1)
Overcoming Heat in Digital Cameras
87(3)
Hot, Stuck and Dead Pixels
90(3)
Dealing with Afocal Vignetting
93(2)
Predicting Vignetting
95(2)
Fixed-Lens Camera Limitations
97(1)
Digital Camera Viewfinder Limitations
98(1)
DSLR ``Crop Factor'' and Lens Focal Length
99(1)
Electrical Power Requirements
100(1)
Limited Red Spectral Response
101(8)
Types of Astrophotography
109(36)
Introduction
109(1)
Fixed-tripod Imaging Introduces the Camera to the Sky
110(5)
Piggyback Adds Tracking Capability
115(6)
Prime Focus Enables Deep-Sky Imaging
121(11)
Eyepiece Projection for Lunar and Planetary Close-ups
132(3)
Afocal Photography Allows Use of Fixed-Lens Cameras
135(9)
Barn Door Star Tracker Photography
144(1)
What Camera to Choose?
145(14)
Desirable Features in a Digital Astrocamera
146(4)
Fixed-Lens Point-and-Shoot Cameras
146(3)
Digital SLR Cameras
149(1)
Vast Selection of Digital Models Available
150(1)
Fixed-Lens Cameras
151(2)
Interchangeable Lens DSLR Cameras
153(6)
Canon
154(2)
Nikon
156(2)
Olympus
158(1)
Camera Lenses for Astrophotography
159(28)
The Ideal Lens for Astrophotography
159(1)
The Evolution of Camera Lenses
160(1)
A Camera Lens Primer
161(5)
Several Factors Govern Attainable Star Magnitudes
164(1)
Focal Ratio Governs Sky Fog and Dim Nebulae
165(1)
Lens Considerations for Digital Cameras
166(2)
Digital-Friendly Lenses
168(5)
Zoom Lenses the Standard for DSLR Cameras
173(1)
Dealing with Common Lens Defects
174(3)
Other Optical Limitations
177(1)
Testing a Lens for Astrophotography
178(3)
Variations in Focus
180(1)
Finding Precise Focus
181(3)
Focal Reducers and Teleconverters for Digital Lenses
184(1)
Cleaning Lenses
185(2)
Accessories for Astrophotography
187(32)
Telescope Covers Reduce Heat
187(1)
A Ground Cover Tarp Saves Frustration
187(1)
Photo Tripods
187(1)
Lens Shades Necessary for Piggyback Photography
188(1)
Afocal-Projection Couplers
188(7)
Remote Shutter Releases
195(1)
Power Supplies in the Field
196(1)
High Capacity, Lead Acid Battery Types
196(3)
Rating a High Capacity, Lead Acid Battery
197(1)
Charging a High Capacity, Lead Acid Battery
198(1)
Battery Safety Issues
199(1)
Gel Cell Batteries
199(1)
Other Battery Notes
200(1)
Nicad Batteries
201(1)
Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries
201(1)
Lithium-Ion Batteries
202(1)
Power Inverters
203(1)
Foreign Country Line Converters
204(1)
Flashlights
205(1)
Accessory Carrying Cases
206(1)
Laptop Computers for Astrophotography
206(4)
Flat-Panel Computer Monitors
210(1)
Software for Planning an Observing Session
211(1)
Memory Card Reader
211(1)
Applying Digital Techniques to Old Film Astrophotos
212(1)
Odds and Ends
213(6)
Polar Alignment and Guiding
219(26)
Principles of Polar Alignment
219(1)
Telescope Mechanical Checks
220(1)
Basic Polar Alignment
221(2)
Other Factors in Polar Alignment
223(1)
Star-drift Polar Alignment
224(1)
Star-drift Alignment Variations
225(1)
Guiding Corrects Alignment Errors
226(1)
Causes of Guiding Errors
227(2)
Dealing with Tracking Problems
229(2)
Choosing a Guidescope
231(1)
Off-Axis Guider
232(1)
Illuminated Reticle Eyepieces
233(3)
Manual Guiding Tips
236(1)
Manual Guiding Techniques
236(2)
Guiding Tolerances
238(2)
Electronic Autoguiders
240(5)
Setting Up a Typical Autoguider
242(1)
STV: The Next Generation Autoguider
243(2)
Using a Digital Camera for Astrophotography
245(24)
Introduction
245(1)
Built-In Camera Flash
245(1)
Lens Focus Setting
246(1)
ISO Speed Setting
247(1)
Exposure Setting
248(1)
Resolution
248(2)
Optical and Digital Zoom
250(1)
White Balance Setting
250(2)
Black and White Option
252(1)
Remote Operation
253(1)
Use of Filters
253(1)
Care of Light Pollution Filters
254(1)
Electronic Image Noise
255(2)
Auto Bracketing
257(1)
Auto Exposure Lock
258(1)
Memory Card
258(6)
In-Camera Image Processing
264(1)
Calculating Image Field Size
265(1)
Image Storage
266(3)
Digital Astrophotography Techniques
269(48)
Focusing Through a Telescope
269(1)
Focusing a Digital Camera for Astrophotography
270(8)
Focusing a Compact Fixed-Lens Digital Camera
271(1)
Focusing Digital SLR Cameras
272(1)
Software Based Focusing
273(2)
Knife-Edge Focusers
275(3)
Solar Photography
278(4)
Hydrogen-alpha Solar Photography
282(3)
Lunar and Planetary Photography
285(2)
Deep-sky Targets
287(5)
Filters and the Wave Nature of Light
292(1)
Color Imaging Limits Filter Selection
293(4)
Hydrogen-alpha Filters Enhance Digital Images
297(3)
Broadband Light Pollution Rejection Filters
300(1)
Soft-focus Filters to Enhance Star Sizes
301(1)
Star Trails
301(3)
Comet Photography
304(3)
Meteor Photography
307(1)
Meteor Photography Techniques
308(2)
Digital Advantage for Automated Meteor Photography
310(2)
Asteroid Photography
312(1)
Lessons Learned at the Telescope
313(4)
Homemade Accessory Projects
317(24)
Multiple Outlet 12-Volt Power Supply
317(1)
Portable 120-Volt Power in the Field
317(3)
Laptop Case With Built-in Power Supply
320(1)
Cooling Compact Cameras to Reduce Noise
321(2)
Cooling DSLR Cameras to Reduce Noise
323(2)
Easy to Make Stable Telescope Mount
325(2)
Cable Release Adapter Frame
327(1)
Small Tracking Platforms
328(2)
Barn Door Mount Construction Details
330(3)
Suitcase Star Tracker
331(2)
Hartmann Mask Focusing Aid
333(2)
Diffraction Focusing Aid
335(1)
Schmidt-Cassegrain Mirror Lock
336(2)
Artificial Star for Collimation and Focus Tests
338(3)
Real World Astrophoto Problems
341(12)
Atmospheric Turbulence Limits High Resolution
341(3)
Predicting Seeing and Transparency
344(2)
Light Pollution
346(1)
Dewing
347(2)
Dealing with Dew
348(1)
Mosquito Control
349(1)
Mosquito Repellants and Traps
349(2)
Other Nighttime Pests and Critters
351(1)
Keeping Warm at the Telescope
352(1)
Image Processing
353(40)
Introduction
353(1)
The Laws of Astronomical Image Processing
354(2)
Don't Overdo Processing
356(2)
Many Processing Choices, Similar Results
358(1)
Basic Processing Operations
359(2)
Getting Organized
361(1)
Color in Astronomical Images
361(1)
Monitor and Printer Output
362(2)
A Must-Have Freeware Program
364(1)
An Overview of Popular Image Processing Software
364(2)
Adobe Photoshop
366(4)
Assembling Digital Star Trails with Photoshop
370(4)
ImagesPlus
374(8)
Creating a Master Dark Frame
374(1)
Image Calibration
374(3)
Grading Images
377(1)
Alignment and Stacking
377(4)
Digital Development
381(1)
AIP4Win
382(10)
Conclusion
392(1)
Appendix A Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturers 393(6)
Appendix B Helpful Web Sites 399(4)
Appendix C Contributors' Personal Web Sites 403(2)
Bibliography 405(4)
Index 409

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

Digital License

You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.

More details can be found here.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.