This book summarizes the history and development of modern astronomical instrumentation and describes the fundamentals and practicalities of operation of CCDs, providing invaluable guidance on systems design, computers and image display and the characterization and calibration of instruments. The author outlines 'basic' observational techniques and the underlying principles of instruments such as spectrographs, photometers, etc. with useful 'practical' information for engineers and instrument builders. The technical and mathematical level of the book as well as the inclusion of problems and exercises, make it suitable for university teaching courses.
Features include a review of the latest developments in CCD cameras, infrared arrays, laser guide stars, mirror fabrication for large telescopes, adaptive optics and a detailed discussion of electronic imaging for infrared astronomy and the detectors used in ultraviolet and x-ray astronomy.