Satellite Photo: Is It Plausible?

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The discussion centers on the plausibility of a satellite photo claimed to be taken with a handheld digital camera through a telescope. Participants express skepticism about the image, suggesting it may depict balloons rather than a satellite due to its size and motion characteristics. Calculations indicate that if the object were a satellite, it would need to be unusually large and moving too slowly to match typical orbital speeds. The photo's quality is also questioned, as it appears too clear for the described method of capture. Overall, the consensus leans towards the image being either doctored or depicting something terrestrial, such as balloons.
  • #31
I saw that. CCD - that just means digital camera, right? Or am I misunderstanding the term?
 
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  • #32
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
 
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  • #33
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.
 
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  • #34
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.
 
  • #35
russ_watters said:
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".
 

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