Wide-field Imaging Using Fast Optical Telescopes
Roy W. Morrow
Oak Ridge Civic Center, The Craft Room
January 5, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.
(Lecture postponed due to inclement weather. Date and time TBA)
Abstract: Astro-imaging techniques and equipment available to amateur astronomers has reached a level that deep sky objects previously not observable can now be imaged in great detail. This talk will concentrate on imaging several of the vast hydrogen clouds present in the Northern Milky Way. These hydrogen clouds are of considerable interest to astronomers because active star birth is occurring in many of these areas. Wide field optics are needed to capture these objects since many exceed 4 degrees in size. Amateurs using binoculars and telescopes affording a wide-field view can see many of the star forming regions of the Milky Way, but only cameras sensitive to the red hydrogen emission line (656 nm) can capture the true complexity.
Images taken using wide-field astrographs with 4- and 5-degree fields of view will be presented. A discussion of the optical systems of these instruments will be undertaken. Both CCD (charge coupled device) and DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras will be discussed showing both raw and processed images. The Northern Milky Way, from Cygnus to Orion, contains some of the most interesting hydrogen cloud/star forming regions. Images of many of these objects will be presented. Some of the computer-based telescope control and image processing programs used will be discussed.
Author’s Bio: Roy Morrow is a retired analytical chemist and an avid amateur astronomer, geologist and rock hound. He has a house and observatory in the Arizona Sky Village near Portal, AZ and is there during new moon periods as much as possible. Roy holds an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
