Pixel Sizes for various camera models and binning modes:
Pixel
Size CameraModel
6.8 u ST-10 unbinned
7.4 u ST-237, ST-2000, STL-4020 unbinned
9 u ST-7, ST-8, STL-6303, STL-11000
13.6 u ST-10 binned 2x2
14.8 u ST-237, ST-2000, STL-4020 binned 2x2
16 u STL-1301
18 u ST-7, ST-8, STL-6303, STL-11000 binned 2x2
20 u ST-9 unbinned, ST-10 binned 3x3
24 u STL-1001 unbinned
Pixel Field of View in arcseconds:
> 2.0 Undersampled for typical seeing. OK for wide field imaging or nights of very poor seeing > 5 - 6 arcseconds FWHM
1.4 - 2.0 Good for nights of poor seeing > 4" FWHM or for typical nights where sensitivity is more important than resolution
0.65 - 1.4 Ideal for most imaging during nights of typical seeing of 2 - 4 arcseconds FWHM on long exposures
0.5 - 0.65 Good for planetary imaging anytime and deep space on nights of exceptional seeing of 1.5 - 2 arcseconds FWHM
0.25 - 0.5 Planetary imaging anytime and high resolution deep space only on the best nights with the best optical systems
<0.25 High resolution imaging of bright objects like the sun and moon where sensitivity is not an issue
½Åº´¼® 2004/10/30
RESOLUTION (Pixel Size and Focal Length)
Resolution comes in two flavors these days. In the commercial world of digital devices, the word resolution is often used synonymously with the number of pixels used in a device. You are used to seeing ads for scanners with a "resolution" of 2,000 x 3,000 pixels, etc. Computer monitors have various "resolution" settings which are basically the number of pixels displayed. We use the word here in its literal sense, which is ability to resolve detail. Typically, seeing limits the resolution of a good system. Seeing is often measured in terms of the Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of a star image on a long exposure. That is, the size of a star's image in arcseconds when measured at half the maximum value for that star in a long exposure. As a general rule, one wants to sample such a star image with at least 2 pixels, preferably 3 or even more depending on the processing steps to be performed and the final display size desired. This means that if the atmosphere and optical system allow the smallest star images of say 2.6 arcseconds in diameter (FWHM) then one needs a telescope focal length and pixel size that will let each pixel see 1/2 to 1/3 of 2.6 arcseconds. In this example the individual pixel field of view should be on the order of 1.3 to 0.86 arcseconds per pixel for an optimum balance of extended object sensitivity to resolution of fine detail. If you aim for a pixel FOV of about 1 arcsecond per pixel through a given focal length, then you should be fine for the majority of typical sites and imaging requirements. If your seeing is much better than typical, then you should aim for 0.5 or 0.6 arcseconds per pixel. If your seeing is much worse than typical, then you can get away with 1.5 or even 2 arcseconds per pixel.
The table below shows the field of view per pixel for each of our cameras at various focal lengths. Select the focal length or range of focal lengths of your telescope(s) and look across for a pixel size that yields a field of view in the yellow section close to 1 arcsecond per pixel. Note that the exception to this rule is planetary imaging where sensitivity is not an issue and resolution is paramount. In this case, aim for 0.5 or 0.25 arcseconds per pixel. Also note that camera with smaller pixels may be binned 2x2 or 3x3 to create larger pixels and expand the useful range of the camera. The overall field of view of the CCD does not change however, and a camera with larger pixels and a larger field of view might be preferable if it will not be used on shorter focal length instruments.
FWHMÀº ¼öÇпë¾î³×¿ä. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) is a parameter commonly used to describe the width of a "bump" on a curve or function. It is given by the distance between points on the curve at which the function reaches half its maximum value. The following table gives the analytic and numerical full widths for several common curves. ÃÖ´ë°ª Áß°£¿¡¼ÀÇ ÁÂ¿ìÆøÀ» ÀǹÌÇÏ´Â°Í °°½À´Ï´Ù.