Abstract
I present a brief history of the hunt for high photometric precision using CCDs in astronomy. CCDs were invented in 1969 and only 7 years later they started to appear at the major observatories of the time. The next 10 years constituted a steep learning curve for astronomers as they developed an understanding of CCDs as instruments and analysis techniques for use with digital images. In 1985, differential photometry with CCDs began producing light curves with precisions near 0.01 magnitude. By 2008, ground-based telescopes armed with CCDs and using differential techniques consistently can provide photometric precisions of 1 millimagnitude or better. The challenge now is to continue to improve the photometry using new types of CCD detectors and other advanced digital imagers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Abramenko, A. N., Agapov, E. S., Anisimov, V. E., et al. (1984). Television astronomy (2nd revised and enlarged edition), (Moscow: Izdatel’stvo Nauka)
Autio, G., W., & Bafico, M. A. (1975). Infrared Physics, 15(4), 249
Boyle, W., & Smith, G. (1970). Bell Systems Technical Journal, 48, 587
Crane, P., Nelson, J. E., & Tyson, J. A. (1979). Nature, 280, 367
Everett, M. E., & Howell, S. B. (2001). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 113, 1428
Fort, B., Picat, J. P., Cailloux, M., et al. (1984). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 135, 356
Gilliland, R. L., & Brown, T. M. (1988). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 100, 754
Honeycutt, K. (1992). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 104, 435
Howell, S. B., Jacoby, G. H., & Szkody, P. (1985). Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 17, 899
Howell, S. B., & Jacoby. G. H. (1986). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 98, 802
Howell, S. B., Warnock, A., Mitchell, K. J. (1988). Astronomical Journal, 95, 247
Howell, S. B., Everett, M. E., Tonry, J., et al. (2003). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 115, 1340
Howell, S. B., VanOutryve, C., Tonry, J., et al. (2005). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 117, 1187
Howell, S. B. (2006). Handbook of CCD Astronomy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Janesick, J., Hynecek, J., & Blouke, M. (1981). Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. SPIE, 290, 165
Janesick, J. (2001). Scientific Charge-Coupled Devices. Bellingham, WA: SPIE press
Johnson, J. A., Winn, J. N., Cabrera, N. E., & Carter, J. A. (2008). Astrophysical Journal, 692, L100
Leach, R. W., Schild, R. E., Gursky, H., et al. (1980). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 92, 233
McClintock, J. E., Petro, L. D., Remillard, R. A., & Ricker, G. R. (1983). Astrophysical Journal, 266, L27
McGuire, T. E. (1983). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 95, 919
Mukadam, A. S., Gansicke, B. T., Szkody, P., et al. (2007). Astrophysical Journal, 667, 433
Samuelsson, H. (1975). Revue scientifique et technique A.S.E., 1, 219
Tody, D. (1980). Stellar Magnitudes from Digital Pictures. Kitt Peak: National Observatory Publication
Walker, A. (1984). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 209, 83
Young, A., & Furenlid, I. (1980). Space Science Rieview, 27, 329
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Howell, S.B. (2011). High Precision Differential Photometry with CCDs: A Brief History. In: Milone, E., Sterken, C. (eds) Astronomical Photometry. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 373. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8050-2_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8050-2_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-8049-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8050-2
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)