Product Description
The second edition of "Electronic Imaging in Astronomy: Detectors and Instrumentation" describes the remarkable developments that have taken place in astronomical detectors and instrumentation in recent years - from the invention of the charge-coupled device (CCD) in 1970 to the current era of very large telescopes, such as the Keck 10-meter telescopes in Hawaii with their laser guide-star adaptive optics which rival the image quality of the Hubble Space Telescope. Authored by one of the world's foremost experts on the design and development of electronic imaging systems for astronomy, this book has been written on several levels to appeal to a broad readership. Mathematical expositions are controlled to encourage a wider audience, especially among the growing community of amateur astronomers who own small telescopes with CCD cameras.This book can be used at the college level for a one semester introductory course on modern astronomical detectors and instruments, and as a supplement for a practical or laboratory class. But it also provides the core of a one semester course on astronomical instrumentation for new graduate (PhD) students who may very soon be faced with using, or even building, electronic imaging systems. The book contains worked examples, problems & solutions, end-of-chapter references and a glossary.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 3 reviews)

Excellent book for beginner and expert by L. Beletic (California)

5 Stars
March 17, 2009
I have worked most of my career in scientific detectors for astronomy, for both ground and space, and my career includes positions at some of the major ground-based astronomical observatories (European Southern Observatory, W.M. Keck Observatory), and I now work at a leading detector manufacturer. I am a collector of books on technology for astronomical imaging, and Ian McLean's book is the best introduction and reference I have found for electronic imaging in astronomy. Ian McLean's book provides an excellent introduction to those who wish to learn about electronic imaging and it is a very good reference for those working in astronomy and other fields that require high performance imaging. The information on instrumentation and detectors is both broad and deep, with excellent compilation of references for those who seek more detail. I have ordered 3 copies of this book for my colleagues at work, and this book is often referenced in our discussions. I strongly recommend Professor McLean's book.

James W. Beletic, Ph.D.
Director of Astronomy & Civil Space
Teledyne Imaging Sensors

Very nice book! by Robert Enenkel (Canada)

5 Stars
December 03, 2008
I just wanted to mention how much I enjoy this book, Electronic Imaging in Astronomy (2nd ed.). I am nowhere near a professional in this field (I'm a mathematician, but do astronomical spectroscopy for fun), but the book's friendly writing style, wide scope, and clear explanations make the topics engaging and completely accessible. A work like this bespeaks a wide and deep knowledge of the field, as well as, I am sure, no small amount of perseverence! So kudos to the author from a layman for a really nice book!

best for the CCD ultra-enthusiast

3 Stars
July 15, 1999
An odd combination of the most detailed description of CCD and infrared arrays (their history,use, calibration, optical and electronic properties, drive waveforms, etc.), plus a shallow and general coverage of general optics, software (including a flow chart for software development plus a few screen shots!), telescopes, and adaptive optics.

It is hard to imagine someone who would get something useful out of every chapter; the ultra beginner could learn the basics better elsewhere, but would find the technical chapters hard slogging, while the CCD enthusiast will make the complementary choices.

Exercises suggest the author may have imagined this to be a text book, but the poor general coverage and excellent technical coverage make this instead a reference for techies.

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