Is It Possible to Do Photometry Without Using a CCD?

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Differential photometry on magnitude 5 and under stars can be explored using alternatives to CCDs, although CCDs are inexpensive and effective. Photomultiplier tubes like the 1p21 are affordable but necessitate costly high-voltage power supplies. Single photodiodes and photoresistors are considered for their potential as low-cost detectors, though concerns about their sensitivity to faint starlight are raised. The discussion highlights that while photodiodes have historical use, CCDs or area detectors are preferred for their efficiency in capturing both target and comparison stars in one image. Overall, exploring unconventional detectors may not yield sufficient sensitivity for practical applications in photometry.
mishima
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CCDs are very cheap, but I was wondering if there was an even cheaper alternative to CCDs if the goal is differential photometry on magnitude 5 and under stars. The data only needs enough precision to prove/demonstrate the concept, and to develop a good sense of the workflow in doing photometry from observational data. Assume I have a 6" Newtonian.

Photomultiplier tubes such as the 1p21 can be found for less than 40$, but require expensive 1000V power supplies.

I am more curious about single photodiodes, or even more crude ways of collecting starlight such as photoresistors. Just wondering if anyone has experimented with some off the beaten path electronic detectors.
 
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mishima said:
I am more curious about single photodiodes, or even more crude ways of collecting starlight such as photoresistors. Just wondering if anyone has experimented with some off the beaten path electronic detectors.

I would suggest that their sensitivities would be way too low for the faintness of starlight
 
A photoresistor could not even detect something like Vega? Just curious, not sure how to calculate something like that using a datasheet.

I was thinking photodiodes at least had been in use a few decades ago.
 
It is much simpler to do differential photometry with an area detector where the target and comparison star can be on the same image. You can use a DSLR or even a point and shoot camea if it can do long exposures.
Regards Andrew
 

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