Al Kelly's CCD Astrophotography Page

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF CCD ASTRONOMY!

(Last updated on December 28, 2011)

On the left is Thor's Helmet as seen by my MX916 CCD camera. On the right is the Celestron CGE 1400 telescope which allowed the camera to have the view. My latest images were made with this equipment.

The goal of this web site is to promote CCD astrophotography by amateur astronomers. I am a member of the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS) CCD special interest group (SIG), which also exists for this purpose. The JSCAS CCD SIG invites anyone interested to participate with us in using CCD cameras for astrophotography. For more information, e-mail

On the left is the Ring Nebula as seen by my old CB245 CCD camera. On the right is the 32" Newtonian telescope which used to reside in my Danciger, Texas observatory and allowed this camera to have such a view. This telescope now belongs to the Alliance for Astronomy. Many of the images on this site were made by this instrument. Some of the other images here were made with my 17.5" Newtonian in a previous version of my Backyard Observatory.

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INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING AND PROCESSING CCD IMAGES.....

Click here to read a BASIC INSTRUCTION MANUAL on acquiring and processing astronomical CCD images. This is a living electronic document constantly undergoing improvement.

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G2V-CALIBRATED COLOR IMAGING

See WHITE BALANCING RGB FILTERS for my 2010 AIC presentation on why and how to use G2V stars for calibrating RGB filters.

In 1998, four of us were pleased to present our development of color CCD astro-image calibration and processing techniques, including white-balancing with Solar-analog (G2V) star data, atmospheric extinction correction, and foreground sky color neutralization. The article also discussed the use of CYAN, MAGENTA, and YELLOW filters rather than the traditional Red, Green, and Blue filters. If you wish to learn more, click here to see the FINAL DRAFT of the article which appeared in the December, 1998 issue of Sky and Telescope. (I updated this draft on May 21, 2000 to reflect an improved method for CMY data conversion)

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Most of the color composite images on this web site have been produced using AIP for Windows and Photoshop. AIP is a superb image processing program written by RICHARD BERRY and JIM BURNELL and available from Willmann-Bell. Here is a Powerpoint presentation on the basic steps in making such composites, emphasizing the use of downloaded DSS images: DSS COLOR PROCESSING .'

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Here is a selection of RECENT images. Just click on one to see the enlarged version and use your browser's "BACK" icon to return here (dozens of other images are accessible by object type in the table below these images or via the header table at the top of this page):

RGB image of Jupiter, Europa, and Ganymede's shadow, made from video taken by Al Kelly with a Philips Toucam Pro 740 webcam, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f35 on 12/27/11 from Friendswood, Texas. Six hundred thirty-five 1/100th second frames were processed in Registax, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

** LRGB image of distant globular cluster NGC 2419 in Lynx, processed by Al Kelly from wide-band filtered images (475W, 555W, and 625W filters) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's ACS/WFC camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

LRGB image of edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891 in Andromeda, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.8 on 11/28/11 from Friendswood, Texas. Thirty-one 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of distorted spiral galaxy NGC 772 in Aries, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 10/28/11 from Fort McKavett, Texas. Nineteen 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of planetary nebula Abell 39 in Hercules, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 6/30/11 from Johnson City, Texas. Eight 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of emission and dust nebula Sharpless 2-112 in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 6/30/11 from Johnson City, Texas. Eighteen 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of distant globular NGC 6229 in Hercules, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 6/1/11 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas. Seven 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of barred spiral galaxy M109 in Ursa Major, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 4/1/11 from Fort McKavett, Texas. Thirty-three 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of low-surface-brightness galaxy NGC 3319 in Ursa Major, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 2/28/11 from Johnson City, Texas. Forty-three 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of globular cluster NGC 5466 in Bootes, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 3/1/11 from Johnson City, Texas. Thirteen 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

** LRGB image of confused spiral galaxy NGC 4622 in Centaurus, processed by Al Kelly from wide-band filtered images (439W, 555W, and 814W filters) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** LRGB image of planetary nebula NGC 6751 in Aquila, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII and NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

LRGB image of irregular galaxy NGC 185 in Cassiopeia, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 11/7-8/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Twenty-three 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of open cluster NGC 6819 in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 11/6/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Ten 300-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of open cluster NGC 6791 in Lyra, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 11/6/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Thirteen 300-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of spiral galaxy IC 342 in Camelopardalis, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 10/7-9/10 from Fort McKavett, Texas. Twenty 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of emission/erosion nebula Sharpless 2-86 (NGC 6820) and open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 10/7-9/10 from Fort McKavett, Texas. Twenty-three 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of globular cluster M2 in Aquarius, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 10/2/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Eight 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 9/30/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Twenty-one 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of planetary nebular M27 in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 9/28/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Eight 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

LRGB image of globular cluster M13 in Hercules, made from images taken by Al Kelly with an Orion Parsec 8300C one-shot-color camera, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f6.7 on 9/27/10 from Friendswood, Texas. Nine 600-second subexposures were guided in Astroart and processed in MaxIm DL, AIP4WIN, and Photoshop.

** This is an RGB animation of flaring in the jet of giant elliptical galaxy M87 that occurred from 2002 through 2006. Processed by Al Kelly from RGB-filtered images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's ACS camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN, Photshop, and Advanced GIF animator.

** LRGB image of planetary nebula NGC 6369 in Ophiuchus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, and NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** LRGB image of planetary nebula NGC 5315 in Circinus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, NII, and SII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 6217 in Ursa Minor, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 5/11/10 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Eleven 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, three 600-second subexposures in green, and three 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of open cluster M29 in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 5/11/10 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Two 240-second subexposures in red, two 240-second subexposures in green, and two 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M62 in Scorpius, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 5/10/10 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Ten 240-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of giant elliptical galaxy M87 in Virgo, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 5/10/10 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Eight 240-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula Minkowski 2-9 in Ophiuchus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OI, OIII, Ha, Hb, NII, and SII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula IC 4634 in Ophiuchus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, amd NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula Henize 2-47 in Sagittarius, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, amd NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula Hubble 5 in Sagittarius, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OI, OIII, Ha, NII, and SII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula NGC 5882 in Lupus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, and NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of planetary nebula NGC 3918 in southern Centaurus, processed by Al Kelly from narrow-band filtered images (OIII, Ha, and NII) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera in 2008. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** L/RGB image of giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1275 in Perseus, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's ACS camera. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** L/RGB image of interacting galaxies NGC 4038 and 4039 (the "Antennae") in Corvus, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's ACS camera in 2004. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 1376 in Eridanus, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's wide-field camera camera in 2006. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 6050 and associated galaxies in Hercules, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera in 2007. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** L/RGB image of Abell galaxy cluster 2218 in Draco, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 camera in 2000. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

** RGB image of galaxy NGC 4298 in Coma Berenices, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's wide-field and planetary camera 2 in 2000. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop

** L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 4402 in Virgo, processed by Al Kelly from BVR images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope's wide-field camera in 2006. All processing accomplished in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of barred spiral galaxy NGC 3359 in Ursa Major, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 2/16/10 from Johnson City, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Twelve 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, ten 300-second subexposures in red, six 300-second subexposures in green, and six 300-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of Supernova remnant M1 (the Crab Nebula) in Taurus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 2/15/10 from Johnson City, Texas, using Orion CRGB filters. Six 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 420-second subexposures in red, three 620-second subexposures in green, and four 420-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of planetary nebula NGC 6826, the "Blinking Nebula," in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 11/5/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Sixty 60-second clear-filtered subexposures, nineteen 120-second subexposures in red, twelve 120-second subexposures in green, and sixteen 120-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M56 in Lyra, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 11/4/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eighteen 120-second clear-filtered subexposures, seven 240-second subexposures in red, five 240-second subexposures in green, and six 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 7479 in Pegasus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 10/24/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eight 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, four 420-second subexposures in red, three 420-second subexposures in green, and five 420-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of planetary nebula NGC 40 in Cepheus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 10/23/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twenty-three 240-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 480-second subexposures in red, three 480-second subexposures in green, and five 480-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M15 in Pegasus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 10/16/09 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twenty-five 120-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, four 240-second subexposures in green, and six 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 864 in Cetus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 10/16/09 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twelve 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, four 600-second subexposures in green, and six 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 5792 in Libra, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 5/20/09 from Dick Miller's observatory near Lagrange, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Fourteen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, ten 600-second subexposures in red, six 600-second subexposures in green, and eight 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

* L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 4536 in Virgo, made from luminance images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 4/22/09 from the Texas Star Party in the Davis Mts, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. RGB chrominance created from BVR POSS plate data from the DSS. Sixteen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 4395 in Canes Venatici, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 4/20/09 from the Texas Star Party in the Davis Mts, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Fourteen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, six 600-second subexposures in red, four 600-second subexposures in green, and five 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 5033 in Canes Venatici, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 4/19/09 from the Texas Star Party in the Davis Mts, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Thirteen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, three 600-second subexposures in green, and four 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 2683 in Lynx, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 1/30/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twelve 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, three 600-second subexposures in green, and four 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of open cluster NGC 2266 in Gemini, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.6 on 1/28/09 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twenty 60-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 120-second subexposures in red, three 120-second subexposures in green, and four 120-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 3184 in Ursa Major, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 1/21/09 from Johnson City, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Seventeen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, three 600-second subexposures in green, and four 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of open cluster M36 in Auriga, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 1/21/09 from Johnson City, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twenty-four 60-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 120-second subexposures in red, three 120-second subexposures in green, and four 120-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxies NGC 7541 and NGC 7537 in Pisces, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 10/24/08 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Ten 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 300-second subexposures in red, three 300-second subexposures in green, and four 300-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster NGC 6934 in Delphinus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 10/24/08 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twenty-sex 120-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 300-second subexposures in red, three 300-second subexposures in green, and four 300-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of irregular dwarf galaxy UGCA 444 in Cetus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 10/24/08 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eleven 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 300-second subexposures in red, three 300-second subexposures in green, and four 300-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of eroded molecular cloud IC 63 near Gamma Cassiopeia, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 10/22/08 from Fort McKavett, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Twelve 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 450-second subexposures in red, three 480-second subexposures in green, and four 450-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of edge-on galaxy NGC 7814 in Pegasus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 10/3/08 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eighteen 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 600-second subexposures in red, three 600-second subexposures in green, and four 600-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M92 in Hercules, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 9/6/08 from Friendswood, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. thirteen 120-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M13 in Hercules, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 8/26/08 from Jack Petersen's observatory near Johnson City, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Six 60-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 60-second subexposures in red, three 60-second subexposures in green, and four 60-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of nebula M16 in Serpens, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider with SX AO unit, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 8/26/08 from Jack Petersen's observatory near Johnson City, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eight 60-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 60-second subexposures in red, three 60-second subexposures in green, and four 60-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of galaxy NGC 4448 and background galaxies inComa Berenices, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/6/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eight 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 420-second subexposures in red, three 420-second subexposures in green, and four 420-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of open cluster NGC 6520 and dark nebula B86 in Sagittarius, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/6/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Three 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of reflection nebulae NGC 6914 and 6914A, surrounded by emission nebulae and dust in Cygnus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/5/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eight 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 420-second subexposures in red, three 420-second subexposures in green, and four 420-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of planetary nebula PK318+41.1 in Virgo, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/5/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Nine 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 300-second subexposures in red, three 300-second subexposures in green, and four 300-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 4725 in Coma Betenices, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/3/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Eleven 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 480-second subexposures in red, three 480-second subexposures in green, and four 480-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of open cluster NGC 6819 in Cygnus (the "Foxface Cluster"), made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/2/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of spiral galaxy NGC 4535 in Virgo, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/2/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Nine 600-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 420-second subexposures in red, three 420-second subexposures in green, and four 420-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

L/RGB image of globular cluster M19 in Ophiucus, made from images taken by Al Kelly with a Starlight Express MX916, Lodestar autoguider, and a Celestron CGE 1400 at f5.5 on 6/1/08 from the Texas Star Party near Fort Davis, Texas, using Astrodon CRGB filters. Nine 300-second clear-filtered subexposures, five 240-second subexposures in red, three 240-second subexposures in green, and four 240-second subexposures in blue were self-guided in Astroart and processed in AIP4WIN and Photoshop.

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ALL IMAGES PROCESSED BY THE AUTHOR (AL KELLY) FOR THIS WEBSITE FROM DSS (DIGITIZED SKY SURVEY) DATA ARE SUBJECT TO THE COPYRIGHT PROVISIONS SHOWN AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: http://archive.stsci.edu/dss/copyright.html . THE THUMBNAIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR ALL SUCH IMAGES ARE DENOTED BY *

ALL IMAGES PROCESSED BY THE AUTHOR (AL KELLY) FOR THIS WEBSITE FROM HST (Hubble Space Telescope) DATA ARE SUBJECT TO THE COPYRIGHT PROVISIONS SHOWN AT THE FOLLOWING SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE (STScI) WEBSITE: http://archive.stsci.edu/hst/acknowledgments.html . THE THUMBNAIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR ALL SUCH IMAGES ARE DENOTED BY **

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About CCDs and Astrophotography

A Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) is a silicon-wafer electronic component which was developed and first manufactured in 1970. Its key characteristic is the ability to use the photoelectric effect to efficiently convert impinging photons to electrons, which can be stored and counted. During the 70's CCDs were used to make the first experimental all-digital astronomical images at visible wavelengths. In the 80's CCDs began to establish dominance as the primary detectors at the focus of professional telescopes. In the 90's and early 00's the CCD explosion reached the marketplace of amateur astronomers with many commercial instruments available, such as the Santa Barbara Instruments Group (SBIG), Starlight XPress, and Apogee line of cameras. Also in the 90's, The CCD Camera Cookbook by Richard Berry, Veikko Kanto, and John Munger established itself as an invaluable tutorial for the construction of inexpensive, high-quality CCD cameras for amateur astronomers. Much as with the now-venerable practice of amateur telescope making, CCD astronomers found that doing- it-yourself yielded excellent equipment, low cost, and immense satisfaction. Although the Cookbook Camera technology now is essentially obsolete, its application led to significant imaging advances by amateurs.

Although many astronomers emphasize the differences among visual astronomy, film astrophotography, and CCD astrophotography, there are more basic similarities than differences. In each case there is a system for rendering a graphic portrayal of the light coming from a distant object. For the eye it is the brain's visual cortex and memory; for film it is millions of light- sensitive halide crystals and chemical processing of plastic and paper materials; and for the CCD it is an array of thousands (or millions!) of light-sensitive silicon cells and computerized digital processing of generated electrons. Each system provides best results under dark skies, with steady atmospheric conditions, and using the best quality optics. Each system depends on a high signal-to-noise ratio to discriminate the desired image (signal) from random confusion (noise)....garbage in, garbage out always applies.

Click the following items for more detailed information:

What a CCD camera is and how it works.

My background and imaging techniques.

Imaging galaxies from the city by Ed Grafton.

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To learn about the Cookbook CCD Camera system click on the Cookbook Camera Home Page

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Active links to other astronomy resources on the Internet
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Astronomical Image Research Library

Adam Block's Images from the Kitt Peak Public Observing Program

Doug Clapp's Astronomy and ST-6 CCD Imaging Page

Robert Dalby's Hundred Foot Observatory Page

Fort Bend Astronomy Club ("Bendonites") Home Page