A Practical Guide to CCD Astronomy (Practical Astronomy Handbooks)

Rating:
Summary: Instructive, technical and practical approach to CCD cameras
Review: A combination of an technical introduction to CCD cameras and their use for astrophotography by the great french amateur. Very detailed description of the construction and operation of CCD cameras and their use in different kinds of astrophotography projects -planetary, photometry., etc. A great book on the subject!!

The only drawbacks I found were a)several too technical, yet incomplete diagrams of the construction and operation of the CCD chip and electronics which did not help in understanding the subject (i.e the clock diagram of a CCD chip); b)the desciption of the CCD camera use in astrophotography is very good, but would have profited from a more graphic approach; and c) I found some of the explanations about the use of the CCD camera repetitive and somewhat obscure.

However don't be disappointed: it's a great book, well worth the price.

Rating:
Summary: This is more of a TECHNICAL GUIDE not a Practical Guide.
Review: This book has many good items in it that help you understand what you should look for in pixcel size and other features. It also goes over the different applications. The key issue is that this is too Technical. I am a Computer Science person, and I found it too technical. I would prefer to see more set up, exposer issues, tracking hardware, tricks and tips. I expected more at a different level with a title that had "Practical" in it.

Rating:
Summary: A "Practical Guide" without the "practical"
Review: To much theory and not enough application. At the end of the book I was still looking for the "practical guide" part. If you want to learn to build a CCD camera this book is for you. If you want to learn how to use one with a telescope, don't waste your money on this book.

Rating:
Summary: A "Practical Guide" without the "practical"
Review: To much theory and not enough application. At the end of the book I was still looking for the "practical guide" part. If you want to learn to build a CCD camera this book is for you. If you want to learn how to use one with a telescope, don't waste your money on this book.