Handbook of CCD Astronomy

Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) are the state-of-the-art detector in many areas of observational science. Astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing are just a few of the fields of study in which they play a crucial role. This handbook provides a concise and accessible reference on all practical aspects of using CCDs. Starting with the electronic workings of CCDs, this handbook discusses their basic characteristics and then gives methods and examples of how to determine these values. While the focus of the book is on the use of CCDs in professional observational 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 off the book and ensure that it provides an ideal introduction to the practical use of CCDs for graduate students, and a handy reference for more experienced users.