Low cost CCD cameras for amateur astronomy
G. Koralewskia, Lech Mankiewiczb, Przemyslaw Szamockic, Grzegorz Wrochnad
a Independent Society of Amateur Astronomers, Szczecin; bCenter for Theoretical Physics,
Warsaw; cInstitute of Electronic Systems, Warsaw University of Technology; dSoltan Institute for
Nuclear Studies, Warsaw
ABSTRACT
Rapid progress in scientific research enlarges the gap between amateurs and professional scientists. Modern astronomy
is based on technologically advanced CCD cameras and large, computer driven telescopes. An investment of about
$10000 is needed for an amateur to join the club of digital observers. In this paper we describe an attempt to break this
barrier by developing entry-level systems in the range of $200-$2000.
Keywords: CCD, astronomy, robotic telescope
1. INTRODUCTION
Scientific research is dominated nowadays by large projects with 9 digits budgets, involving thousands of people for
one or two decades. This is valid for both micro- and macroscopic frontiers. In particle physics the most obvious
example is the Large Hadron Collider being build at CERN in Geneva. In astronomy the best known are the Hubble
Space Telescope and the KECK (explain abbreviation) telescope on Hawaii. There is less and less space at the science
front line for tabletop experiments.
This situation has serious educational consequences. It becomes impossible to demonstrate or even to simulate in a
classroom important scientific experiments and observations. It is often difficult even to explain the matter of Nobel
Prize winning achievements. This is one of the reasons why many people take seriously radiesthetic precautions and
why it is easier to find a book on astrology rather than on astronomy in an average bookshop.
In recent years one can observe that highly talented people more often choose non-scientific fields of activity. In the
past one of the most effective way to attract young people to science was to give them a chance to contribute to serious
research. Nowadays, rapid progress in technology us