Scientific Astrophotography

Jerry Hubbell, currently President of the Rappahannock Astronomy Club (raclub.org), has been an avid amateur astronomer since he was a teenager. However, he developed his passionate interest in astrophotography, and in particular, astrophotography that supports scientific investigation, only about 4 years ago. In that short time, Jerry has become known as a superior astrophotographer, amateur scientist, and mentor to other amateurs who want to foster scientific investigation in the amateur ranks. His career as a nuclear Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) and software engineer for Dominion Virginia Power has trained him well for the attention to detail and precision required for scientific astrophotography. In this book, Jerry refers often to everyday examples from ordinary life, his job, and aviation. He’s also a pilot for the Virginia Defense Force Aviation Battalion, the Commonwealth’s military reserve. His Six Sigma Black Belt training is evident in his careful but accessiblestep-by-step explanations of how to build your astronomical imaging system, choose your astronomical targets, design a plan to photograph them, avoid the pitfalls, and apply the appropriate methods to obtain scienfitically relevant data suitable for contribution to the larger scientific community. As an active member of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), the American Association of the Variable Star Observer’s (AAVSO), and as the owner of a certified observatory location I24 for the IAUs Minor Planet Center, Jerry practices what he preaches in performing his scientific astrophotography. He has had several images published in the ALPOs Lunar Section newsletter, The Lunar Observer, and his work has been acknowledged in Sky and Telescope magazine. Jerry’s minor planet observations have been published in the scientifically peer reviewed Minor Planet Circulars, Minor Planet Circulars Supplement, and ALPOS Minor Planet Bulletin.

Foreword.- Acknowledgements.- About the Author.- Table of Contents.- List of Figures.- List of Tables.- Preface.- Chapter 1: Introduction to Scientific Astrophotography.- PART I: Astronomical Imaging System (AIS).- Chapter 2: The "Perfect AIS".- Chapter 3: The Astrograph - The Imaging Telescope.- Chapter 4: CCD Chip Performance, CCD Camera Basics, and Image Scaling Factors.- Chapter 5: Telescope Mount Factors.- Chapter 6: Imaging Filters and Auxiliary Optical/Mechanical/Electrical Components.- Chapter 7: Astrograph and CCD Combinations.- Chapter 8: Environmental and External Factors.- PART II: Astronomical Imaging System (AIS) Integration and Operation.- Chapter 9: The Practical AIS - The Sum is Greater than the Parts.- Chapter 10: Planning and Executing the AIS Data Acquisition Process.- Chapter 11: Image Acquisition and Calibration.- Chapter 12: Field Practical Exercises (FPE) - Putting It All Together.- PART III: Scientific Image Data Analysis and Advanced Amateur Scientific Projects.- Chapter 13: Scientific Image Data Uses and Innovations in AIS Components and Systems.- Chapter 14: An Introduction to Scientific Image Data Analysis.- Chapter 15: Your Scientific Imaging Program and How to Submit Your Data to Scientific Organizations.- Chapter 16: Amateur Astronomer Access to Professional-Level Observatories.- Appendices.- Index.