Instrumentation and Equipment

New member I hope this is the right place to post this question,

I have a ASI178mm uncooled camera I'm using to teach my the fundamentals of photometry.

Since there is not yet a AAVSO manual on cmos photometry I've been reading about ccd technology and trying to replace the bits that would change by using cmos technology.

I'm trying to do the conversion from ADU to electrons. My camera is 14bits with a full well depth of 15000 electrons.

Hello!

I've been looking to upgrade to a monochrome camera for astrophotography for a while now. I currently use a QHY-5 178 CMOS colour camera by QHY (IMX178 sensor), which does have low read noise, however the field of view is tiny (0.33° * 0.22°) and it oversamples. Excellent choice for lucky imaging of planetary objects or planetary nebulae, not so much for most deep sky objects.

Hello,

Sorry for the potentially controversial question. I have learned last month that time is now over for our beloved KAF sensors, including the ones that were mostly recommended for photometry (0402, 1603 and 3200). Considering what is available today, what sensors would be best for photometry for a reasonable price? Any suggestion?

Thanks

Normand

I'd appreciate some help understanding the existing guidance in the current AAVSO CCD Photometry Guide re FWHM and pixel size (pages 17+ in the Guide). I'm looking at new cameras, and built some models and spreadsheets to understand candidate camera performance from my location, and my numbers don't mirror the advice from the Guide.

The Guide states,

What are the options, criteria, and designs for selecting photometric filter set purchases? 

My primary interest at this point is in ExoPlanet observing (also interested in eclipsing binaries, CVs, cluster variables, pulsators, etc.).  Lots of questions;  ideas on best options and suggestions??