Will sCMOS replace CCD's for Astronomy?
Abstract
CCD's have been the detector of choice for visual observations of Variable Stars for nearly four decades. Many CCD chip manufacturers have shut down their projection lines in favor or sCMOS detectors, which are lower noise, smaller pixels, and lower cost. sCMOS chips have much lower read noise(1-2 e), and higher dynamic range(96 db vs 76db) of traditional CCD's. This suggests that the next generation of detectors will either be sCMOS or very expensive CCD's. What is the impact on photometry with these new chips? The author presents two years of photometry with the new chips. He also discusses several downsides that need to be managed to take advantage of these new detectors. His experience shows that a 2x to 3x reduction in errors is possible with proper techniques.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23517501W