Camera
I have started out collecting CCD images using a homemade Cookbook 245
camera. Due to the small size of the CCD chip and number of
pixels, the field of view is fairly small (roughly 9 x 12 arcminutes)
and so I won't be taking M31 mosiacs any time soon.
After initial testing, the low dark current modifications were made and
the resistor controlling the preamp gain was increased about two-fold.
Using the stock cooling system from the construction book, I can easily
get the CCD chip down to -30 °C during the summer months (a
thermocouple was expoxied to the cold finger at the edge of the
CCD). Still running on the original windshield washer coolant
pump but it is very noisy. When it dies, I may try a submersible
pump.
Here are a few photos taken during the construction process:
