What is CCD Imaging?
CCD (charge-coupled device) imaging is the capturing of digital images through a telescope. A special device called a CCD imager translates light from celestial subjects into a pixel display that can be immediately seen on a computer display, can be stored on disc, used in digital image processing or printed for a hard copy display. CCD imaging offers a number of advantages over conventional astrophotography including instant image viewing, advanced image processing, greatly reduced exposure times and improved image quality. All CCD imaging requires is a telescope with automatic tracking, a CCD imaging system and a personal computer (PC). In the simplest format, the CCD imager is placed into the telescope’s eyepiece holder in place of an eyepiece; the object to be imaged is center and focused; the image is taken and the data is transferred and processed by the PC. CCD imaging is best suited for Meade LX200 telescopes.
