Hi,
I am a new member of the AAVSO and have an interest in doing photometry from my backyard Observatory etc. With the current trends of Astro Cameras heading almost exclusively to CMOS technology, it is difficult to get started in Photometry when the AAVSO courses and literature specify "CCD" camera required.
My Question : ... is the requirement for a CCD still valid, and/or, are my contemporary CMOS cameras fit for the purpose? I for one will not be purchasing a "CCD" camera in the future, and I believe there are many like me that are keen to get into Photometry with their CMOS devices.
I believe the current CMOS devices are very linear, and can see no reason why they cannot be used ( after calibration etc. as per usual). is my reasoning correct? Also as a consequence, does the AAVSO need to update there resources and methodologies to accommodate CMOS Technology.
Please don't view this email as a criticism of the AAVSO. On the contrary, the AAVSO does a wonderful job and I am pleased to become involved in its activities. I just need to understand the right way to start.....it can be confusing as technologies change over from CCD to CMOS.
Regards,
Bruce Nye
ERO Tasmania
Bruce:
You are correct that the current Observing Guides do not use the term CMOS in their titles. CCDs have been a workhorse tool for photometry for quite a while. It takes time for newer technologies to work there way into the mainstream and it takes MORE time for observing guides to get re-written. However, if you do a search on CMOS on the AAVSO web page, you will discover that much discussion has, in fact, occurred in our forums. Many observers now successfully use CMOS technology for photometry. Many of our own AAVSONet scopes use CMOS cameras. Both of the current CCD Choice Courses include participants who use CMOS cameras.
Look around in the forums and read up on the recommended practices to best use CMOS cameras. I think you will be able to quickly learn how to use your future investment in a CMOS camera.
Sooner, rather than later, there will be an observing guide that more obviously describes how to use these cameras for photometry. It is fundamentally the same as for CCDs.
Ken
Thanks Ken,
I thought as much!
I think I will "dive in" and give it a go. ......when the clouds go away