Handbook of CCD Astronomy (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers) [Paperback]

Steve B. Howell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0521648343 | ISBN-13: 978-0521648349

This handbook constitutes a concise and accessible reference on all practical aspects of using Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs). Starting with the electronic workings of these modern marvels, Steven Howell discusses their basic characteristics and then gives methods and examples for determining their values. While the focus is on using CCDs in professional observational astronomy, advanced amateur astronomers, and researchers in physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing will also benefit from the material. Tables of useful and hard-to-find data, and key practical equations round off the book's treatment. For exercises and more information, log on to www.psi.edu/~howell/ccd.html.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I highly recommend [this book] for anyone interested in CCD astronomy.' /s EOS

Book Description

Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) are the state-of-the-art detector in many areas of observational science. This handbook provides a clear and accessible introduction to the practical use of CCDs for graduate students, as well as a concise reference for more experienced users. Starting with the electronic workings of these marvels of modern science, this handbook discusses the basic characteristics of CCDs and gives methods and examples of how to determine these value. While the focus of the book is on the use of CCDs in professional astronomy, advanced amateur astronomers, and researchers in physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing will also find it very valuable. Tables of useful and hard-to-find data, and key practical equations round the book off.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521648343
• ISBN-13: 978-0521648349
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,089,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very valuable book, entertaining too, July 23, 2004

By 

ohmysohopeless (Nowhere to Go) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of CCD Astronomy (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers) (Paperback)

For a graduate student who has not had an observational astronomy course, the process of self-teaching the essentials of CCD astronomy is not a smooth one. You really don't know what kind of things you have to worry about before going to a telescope!

Though this book does not cover comprehensively the topic of detection techniques in scientific contexts (too much for such a small book), it has an excellent, totally readable introduction to the basics of CCD detection in astronomy. The author obviously has been in the field for a long time, so his numerous anecdotes from his rich, past expericnes are entertaining as well as enlightening. It is such a short book but very satisfying, which is rare for a technical science book.

This book would make a perfect textbook or supplement reading for any decent undergraduate observational astronomy course. Highly recommended as the first reading for observers.

4 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential reference, July 6, 2002

By 

Al Lizdog (Laramie, Wyoming USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of CCD Astronomy (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers) (Paperback)

Steve is the master of the art of CCD photometry. This is an essential book for professional astronomers and amateurs alike.

0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars every thing about learning CCDs, July 8, 2008

By 

S. S. H. "astrosona" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of CCD Astronomy (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers) (Hardcover)

I loved it,... i though me EVERY thing about CCDs,...how do they work...and how to understand the results....