Astrophotography & CCD Imaging
PostgraduateSWI-AST800022019
Course information for 2019 intake
Put a lens on the cosmos and optimise your view of astronomical objects using telescopes, conventional and CCD cameras. Survey observation trends. Source astronomical information. Use computer techniques to process images and record celestial events
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- -
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Astrophotography & CCD Imaging
About this subject
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Identify and describe the fundamental principles and techniques involved in the imaging of astronomical objects with telescopes, conventional cameras and CCD cameras
- Discuss and explain the use of computer techniques for image processing
- Recognise the range of optical astronomical targets available to amateur astronomers
- Describe and contrast current trends in observing techniques in both amateur and professional astronomy
- Use problem solving skills to explain and synthesise solutions to problems in astrophotography and CCD imaging
- Design and create a research project using credible sources of astronomical information and research articles and/or observational means
- Identify and describe the fundamental principles and techniques involved in the imaging of astronomical objects with telescopes, conventional cameras and CCD cameras
- Introduction to astronomical coordinate systems
- Principles of telescopic imaging
- Principles of photographic imaging
- Film properties and processing
- Digital Astrophotography: equipment, operation, lenses, detectors.
- Principles of CCD imaging
- Principles of CCD data reduction
- Photometry and colours: filters, standard photometric systems.
- Properties of astronomical targets: point and extended objects, point and surface brightness, spectrum distribution, sky brightness, atmospheric emission and scattering.
- Future trends in astronomical observing
This subject will discuss the principles behind the imaging of astronomical objects with telescopes, conventional cameras and CCD cameras, plus the use of computer techniques for image processing. It will focus particularly on techniques and equipment within reach of the serious amateur astronomer.
- Online tests (20%)
- Newsgroups (30%)
- Project (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
one of
- SWI-AST80004-Exploring Stars and the Milky Way
SWI-HET603 (Not currently available)
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
SWI-HET609 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.