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Low light level detectors for astronomy.

P B Boyce

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 14, 1977
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Astronomers use a wide variety of detectors for ground-based observations due to limitations in commercial technology. Charge-coupled device (CCD) detectors are expected to become the preferred choice for astronomical imaging in the near future.

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    Area of Science:

    • Astronomy
    • Observational Astrophysics
    • Detector Technology

    Background:

    • Ground-based astronomical observations utilize a diverse range of detectors, each with specific advantages for particular scientific projects.
    • Current commercial detectors often fail to meet the stringent low light level and high photometric precision requirements for astronomical applications.
    • The development of specialized detectors is driven by commercial and military needs, with limited dedicated funding for astronomical detector programs.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the current landscape of detectors used in ground-based astronomical observations.
    • To explain the reasons behind the wide variety of detectors employed.
    • To forecast future trends in astronomical detector technology.

    Main Methods:

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  • Review of existing literature and current practices in astronomical detector selection.
  • Analysis of the performance characteristics and limitations of various detector types.
  • Speculation on future advancements and the emergence of dominant detector technologies.

    • Main Results:

    • A wide variety of detectors are currently in use, chosen based on specific project needs like spectroscopy, photometric precision, or sensitivity to faint/bright objects.
    • Exotic detectors for X-ray and far-ultraviolet imaging from spacecraft are noted but have uncertain futures in ground-based visible light astronomy.
    • Astronomers adapt existing commercial devices due to the lack of funding for dedicated astronomical detector development.

    Conclusions:

    • The variety of astronomical detectors is expected to decrease as superior technologies emerge.
    • Low-noise, high-performance Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) detectors (500x500 pixels or larger) are predicted to become the standard for astronomical imaging.
    • Photographic plates will likely persist for applications requiring very wide fields.
    • Future research focus may shift from detector hardware to the systems needed for data processing and analysis as detectors approach quantum limits.