Re: CCD sensitivity and resolution

On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:49:27 GMT, "TMA" <TMA@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

How does one figure out the arc second resolution potential for a CCD chip?
Is there a way to know what magnitude limit a CCD imager has?

Calculate the resolution A (in arcsec per pixel) as

A = 206265 * d / F

where d is the size of the pixel, and F is the focal length of the
telescope, both in the same units.

Calculating the magnitude limit is quite complex. It depends primarily
on the QE (as a function of wavelength) of the sensor, the exposure
time, and on the aperture of the telescope. You also need to consider
the various noise sources: readout, dark current, sky, and the
statistical noise on the signal itself. Some of the noise sources are
themselves dependent on the exposure time and the focal ratio of the
telescope.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: CCD size focal ratio and best color digicam
    ... determined by focal length and pixel size only. ... spacing of your pixels, and F is the focal length of your telescope, ... standpoint one can match the pixel pitch ... like the lens focal ratio is 10.7 microns and the pixel pitch is 2 ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Long focus telescopes
    ... in article waednVdxVapNsi_cRVn-sQ@net1plus.com, Stephen Paul at ... Try and find a copy of the now discontinued magazine CCD Astronomy, ... 1997 issue, paper, Pixel Size is bigger Better, by Douglas George. ... explains how to match the focal length of your telescope to a CCD's pixel ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)