Polaroid ST-7E, ST-8E, ST-9E manual Glossary

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Section 8 - Glossary

High levels of sky background can increase the noise in images just like dark current. For some objects deep sky filters can be used to reduce the sky background level.

Seeing - Seeing refers to the steadiness and the clarity of the atmosphere during an observing session.

TE Cooler - The TE Cooler is a Thermal Electric cooling device used to cool the CCD down to operating temperature. The CCD is mounted to the TE Cooler which is mounted to a heat sink, usually the camera head housing.

TIFF Image File Format - The TIFF image file format (which stands for Tagged Interchange File Format) was developed jointly by Microsoft and Aldus Corporations to allow easy interchange of graphics images between programs in areas such as presentation and desktop publishing. CCDOPS can save image files in this format but it can not read them.

Track and Accumulate - The Track and Accumulate function is a SBIG patented feature of CCDOPS that allows the user to automatically co-register and co-add (including dark frame subtraction) a series of images of an object. These exposures can be taken unguided as long as the "Snapshot time" does not exceed the length of time before tracking errors of your clock drive become apparent. This allows you to image and track without guiding or the need to connect the CCD Relay port to your drive motors.

Track List - The Track List is an ASCII file generated by CCDOPS during a Track and Accumulate session. The Track List logs all the corrections made by CCDOPS for each of the images. Track lists are required when flat fielding Track and Accumulate images.

Tri-Color- Tri-Color refers to color images created using three different colors mixed into a balanced color image using red, green and blue filters. An object is imaged three times, once with each color filter. The three images are then co-added and color balanced with the appropriate software.

Vignetting - Vignetting is obstruction of the light paths by parts of the instrument. It results in an uneven illumination of the image plane. The effects of vignetting can be corrected using flat field images.

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Contents Operating Manual Page Table of Contents Technique Introduction Road Map of the DocumentationQuick Tour Ccdops Software Ccdops for Windows or MacintoshCCD Camera Page Introduction to CCD Cameras Cameras in GeneralHow CCD Detectors Work Full Frame and Frame Transfer CCDs Camera Hardware ArchitectureCCD System Block Diagram CCD Special Requirements CoolingDouble Correlated Sampling Readout Dark FramesFlat Field Images Pixels vs. Film GrainsGuiding Electronic Imaging Black and White vs. Color Page At the Telescope with a CCD Camera Step by Step with a CCD CameraAttaching the Camera to the Telescope Focusing the CCD Camera Establishing a Communications LinkCamera Back Focus Displaying the Image Finding and Centering the ObjectTaking an Image Processing the ImageCrosshairs Mode Photometry and Astrometry Advanced CapabilitiesSub-Frame Readout in Focus Track and Accumulate Autoguiding and Self GuidingAuto Grab Color ImagingAt the Telescope with a CCD Camera Connecting the Relay Port to the Telescope Connecting the PowerConnecting to the Computer Camera HardwareUsing Mechanical Relays Push to Make Switch Modification Modular Family of CCD Cameras Joystick ModificationSystem Features 20.6x sizeum Focal length cm Camera Hardware Connecting the older model CFW-6 filter wheel to the Camera Battery Operation Page Deep Sky Imaging Advanced Imaging TechniquesLunar and Planetary Imaging Terrestrial ImagingChanging the Camera Resolution Taking a Good Flat FieldBuilding a Library of Dark Frames Flat Fielding Track and Accumulate Images Tracking Functions Advanced Imaging Techniques Page Accessories for your CCD Camera Cooling BoosterFocal Reducers Tri-color ImagingCamera Lens Adapters and Eyepiece Projection AO-7 and Lucy-Richardson SoftwareWindows Software Third Party Products and ServicesSGS Self-Guided Spectrograph Image Processing SoftwareSbig Technical Support Common Problems Common Problems Common Problems Page Glossary STV Glossary Glossary Appendix a Connector ad Cables Appendix a Connector PinoutsSbig Tracking Interface Cable TIC-78 Figure A1 CCD Connector for TIC Mating Appendix C Maintenance Cleaning the CCD and the WindowRegenerating the Desiccant Page Appendix C Capturing a Good Flat Field TechniquePage Index IBM PC Separations