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> David Malin at the AAT's prime focus

David Malin at the AAT's prime focus

author: Anglo-Australian Observatory/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: o-sid02-00012

Image Size 300 DPI: 22 * 28 cm

When the Anglo-Australian Telescope is used to take conventional photographs the observer rides in the prime focus 'cage' at the top end of the telescope where light from the primary mirror is brought to a focus. However, now astronomical images are made with sophisticated electronic detectors known a CCDs (charge-coupled devices). These are larger and more elaborate versions of the light detectors used in most digital cameras. In practice they are used remotely from the telescope control room and there is now no need for the observer to ride inside the 'cage' to change plates and filters. Not only is there no need -- there is no room, so now pictures can be made without actually seeing a star at all. This picture was made in about 2000.

Keywords for this photo:

2000 - AAO - AAT - ASTRONOMER - ASTRONOMY - AUSTRALIA - CCD - HUMAN - MALIN DAVID - MAN - OBSERVATORY - PORTRAIT - SIDING SPRING - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - TELESCOPE -