Development of an astronomical imaging system using a charge-coupled device

Abstract

Astronomy understandably began as an observational science. Conveniently man has been equipped with two detectors, his eyes, however limited they are. As in most sciences, researcher's are forever searching for new techniques and improving present equipment. In 1969 a new device was developed at the Bell Laboratories called the Charge-Coupled Device, or CCD. This device would later prove to bring never seen before pictures of the cosmos to astronomers, as well as allow the operation of Facsimile machines. It is the purpose of this project to develop a CCD Image System, for a relatively low cost, with a high spectral response, from a NEC μPD791 4096 - bit CCD Image Sensor