New generation cameras a game changer for meteor spectroscopy?

Forums Spectroscopy New generation cameras a game changer for meteor spectroscopy?

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  • #573902
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    I had a brief dabble in meteor spectroscopy back in 2005 but the tiny CCD I was using back then seriously limited the sky coverage for a given resolution.

    http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/spectra_20.htm

    The gradual increase in sensor size in the intervening years has improved matters somewhat as seen in Bill’s impressive results here on the forum, and electronic imaging compared with the old film cameras has enabled a much higher hit rate and continuous monitoring, not just during meteor showers. The resolution/sky coverage equation still favours the old large format film cameras though.  The latest cameras coming on the market  seem to offer the possibility of closing this remaining gap. The QHY42 in development for example uses a back illuminated CMOS sensor almost an inch square with a claimed peak QE of 95%, read noise of 1.3e-  all at a full frame rate of 48fps. 

    http://www.qhyccd.com/QHY42.html

    It looks like it could be a dream camera for meteor spectroscopy, though the lenses to take advantage of it are not going to be exactly cheap !

    Interesting times !

    Robin

    #578841
    Dr Andrew Smith
    Participant

    You are going to need a fast computer with a large disk Robin, and ideally some software like UFO that can read the files and auto-detect meteors for you. If not you will have a full-time job for those all to frequent cloudy nights!

    However, I agree these new large, sensitive, low read noise CMOS sensors will open up all kinds of possibilities. 

    We have come a long way from DIY modified long exposure web cams the you worked with Robin.

    Regards Andrew

    #578842
    Grant Privett
    Participant

    Dread to think what the price will be for that camera.

    #578846
    Alun Halsey
    Participant

    ….according to the QHY web site,but doing a Google search found an entry in aliexpress for this very camera with a price tag of…….£11,359.50 and a “Sorry this item no longer available” entered below it!  

    #578847
    Robin Leadbeater
    Participant

    Wow £11k is certainly a lot of money for something that does not exist.  I wonder if they accept bitcoin 😉

    #578851
    Grant Privett
    Participant

    You could buy a Celestron 14″ Rowe-Ackerman for that!

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