Satellite Photo: Is It Plausible?

[DaveC426913]

I saw that. CCD - that just means digital camera, right? Or am I misunderstanding the term?

 

[carlos_dfc]

A 'proper' CCD is different from a camera - it has no lens, or the usual camera controls, you use the 'prime focus' method - Focus the telescope directly onto the sensor (basically using the scope as a large telephoto lens) - it connects to a computer, and exposure, etc are controlled through the software
Entry-level models include the Celestron Neximage, or Meade DSI.

I understood that this was the sort of thing the OP used for his Moon pic (it does look very similar to the results I got using a webcam at prime focus (CMOS sensor) with the lens removed

It may just be that he misunderstood the difference though...
Some digital cams use a CMOS sensor, some (usually the better ones, like DSLRs) use a CCD
As a general rule of thumb, a camera that is capable of longer exposures (half a second, and longer) will have a CCD, as CCDs can handle longer exposures than a CMOS

 

[DaveC426913]

Would this then mean he is either mistaken in his terms or falsifying one of his stories?

cuz I'd like to ask him.

[EDIT] Already did.

 

[russ_watters]

Probably not falsifying the story, but ususally if it is a DSLR they say "DSLR" and not "CCD". Some atrocams actually use the same CCDs as higher end DSLR cameras and a DSLR without a lens produces excellent prime focus photos. You wouldn't hold the camera with your hand, though - it would have a T mount for that.

 

[DaveC426913]

Probably not falsifying the story, but ususally if it is a DSLR they say "DSLR" and not "CCD". Some atrocams actually use the same CCDs as higher end DSLR cameras and a DSLR without a lens produces excellent prime focus photos. You wouldn't hold the camera with your hand, though - it would have a T mount for that.

But a CCD in astronomy is an actual accessory device on a telescope, which would definitely make it a different ball of worms from "holding up a camera to the lens".