Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation (Wiley-Praxis Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) [Paperback]

Ian S. McLean (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471969729 | ISBN-13: 978-0471969723 | Edition: 1

This book emphasizes the synergy between high technology and our ability to study and comprehend the universe. It describes the key technologies and ways in which computers affect modern astronomy. The author discusses instrumentation for infrared, ultraviolet x-ray, radio and gamma-ray astronomy, and considers the new generation of telescopes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews of the second edition: "The book literally covers everything you ever wanted to know about the design and technology behind CCDs. Well written and informative, the book is littered with technical diagrams and useful equations for anyone interested in either developing their own CCD device or writing image processing algorithms and plug-ins. Not only that … this is a book that every university undergraduate studying instrumentation should probably have on their bookshelf." (Nick Howes, Astronomy Now, January, 2009) "McLean … provides an excellent primer for those with a technical interest in these amazing devices. … the book is a compendium of astronomical methods and instrumentation. … McLean’s book … would be an excellent college-level resource. In fact, it should be on the shelf of anyone who wants a firm technical background in astronomical methods and instrumentation. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 46 (7), March, 2009) "This is the second edition of a book whose purpose is to explain the workings of electronic detectors and instruments. … This ambitious book is in part an attempt to provide an overview of just what your strange-looking instrument is doing. … this is an excellent book, packed with information and written in a clear and accessible style which will make it invaluable to any student or supervisor. Highly recommended." (Paul O’Brien, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1210), June, 2009) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

• PhD 1974 University of Glasgow.
• co-chair of the Keck Science Steering Committee and Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on four Keck instruments.
• Has been teaching advanced instrumentation classes at UCLA for almost 17 years

• UCLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Astronomy every year since 1991-present

• Hughes/Griffith Observatory Science Writing Award: Honorable Mention 1993, 1996

• Commendation for Excellence in Technical Communications; Laser Focus World, 1994

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 502 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; 1 edition (April 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471969729
• ISBN-13: 978-0471969723
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,927,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginner and expert, March 17, 2009

By 

L. Beletic "James Beletic" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation (Springer Praxis Books / Astronomy and Planetary Sciences) (Hardcover)

I have worked most of my career in scientific detectors for astronomy, for both ground and space, and my career includes positions at some of the major ground-based astronomical observatories (European Southern Observatory, W.M. Keck Observatory), and I now work at a leading detector manufacturer. I am a collector of books on technology for astronomical imaging, and Ian McLean's book is the best introduction and reference I have found for electronic imaging in astronomy. Ian McLean's book provides an excellent introduction to those who wish to learn about electronic imaging and it is a very good reference for those working in astronomy and other fields that require high performance imaging. The information on instrumentation and detectors is both broad and deep, with excellent compilation of references for those who seek more detail. I have ordered 3 copies of this book for my colleagues at work, and this book is often referenced in our discussions. I strongly recommend Professor McLean's book.

James W. Beletic, Ph.D.

Director of Astronomy & Civil Space

Teledyne Imaging Sensors

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, Simply Outstanding!, January 8, 2010

By 

OrangeCrush "Still shooting with Film!" (Farmington Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation (Springer Praxis Books / Astronomy and Planetary Sciences) (Hardcover)

If you have even a little bit of interest in learning about imaging technology in the field of Astronomy then this is definitely the first book you should be grabbing. What really separates this book from others like it is how its meticulously set up for all levels of experience and interest. In other words whether your a seasoned professional, a college student, or just an amateur backyard astronomer, this book has something to offer you.

If there was ever a time for a book like this its now as imaging technology in general has seen just massive breakthroughs in recent years and astronomy is one of the fields that has really benefited the most from such breakthroughs. In fact one could argue that astronomy has actually benefited more from such breakthroughs than photography itself. Of course photography is a huge part of astronomy so such arguments are pretty much futile. The bottom line is that imaging in astronomy is light years ahead of where it was even 20 years ago and this book will bring you up to date in regards to those technologies. It covers everything from the invention of CCD's right up to the use of adaptive optics. Overall Its extremely well written and is packed with a lot of great diagrams and mathematical equations.

I am actually an architectural photographer but I have been getting into astrophotography more and more in recent years and its now to the point where its one of my main focuses in regards to my personal work. A little while back I just really started getting the urge to learn about this technology from the ground up and I have been doing just that ever since. I have now read 4 different books on CCD's and imaging technology and this book is easily the best one I have read yet. If you want to take your understanding of such technologies to the next level then this is without a single doubt the place to start. Even if you already have a good understanding of such material, this book will still have plenty to offer you. In fact, anyone even half serious about imaging technology should have this on their bookshelf, period!

The bottom line - This is one book that anyone even remotely interested in imaging technology should have!!

5 Stars!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice book!, December 3, 2008

By 

Robert Enenkel (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation (Springer Praxis Books / Astronomy and Planetary Sciences) (Hardcover)

I just wanted to mention how much I enjoy this book, Electronic Imaging in Astronomy (2nd ed.). I am nowhere near a professional in this field (I'm a mathematician, but do astronomical spectroscopy for fun), but the book's friendly writing style, wide scope, and clear explanations make the topics engaging and completely accessible. A work like this bespeaks a wide and deep knowledge of the field, as well as, I am sure, no small amount of perseverence! So kudos to the author from a layman for a really nice book!