Synopses & Reviews
The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing describes both practical and theoretical aspects of astronomical imaging and image manipulation. In 18 chapters, you will learn the basic principles behind making good images, extracting data, and enhancing what can be seen. The authors not only present the mathematical theory, but also direct your attention to essential points in clear and understandable English. For computer programmers, important processes are illustrated with examples in pseudocode. Nowhere else can you find so much information concentrated into a single reference than in the
Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing.
Because the Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing focuses on the fundamental nature of the measuring tools and enhancement algorithms found in all image-processing software, it is a valuable accompaniment to every image processing program. If you already own image-processing software, this book will show you how to exploit its full processing power. Those who do not yet have a favorite image processing program will soon discover that the AIP for Windows software included with the book is an outstanding value in its own right.
To gain a sense of what you will find in the Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing, consider the value found in the chapter titled "How to Make Good CCD Images." In 70 pages, the authors discuss chip size, field of view, pixel size, resolution, spectral sensitivity, flip mirrors, finder telescopes, computer-controlled mountings, methods of focusing, tracking, polar alignment, measuring periodic drive error, guiding, track-and-stack imaging, calibration, making flat-field frames, constructing a light box, and twilight flats. You will learn about integration time, deep-sky imaging, lunar and planetary imaging, high-resolution imaging, solar-system targets, quality-checking images, hot-spots, field-flooding, vignetting, and dust donuts. Whether you are just getting started or you have become an old hand in CCD imaging, you will benefit from the exhaustive coverage in this one chapter. And remember, that's only one of 18 chapters with over 640 pages of coverage.
Here are some of the other topics covered in detail in the Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing:
Color Imaging: Learn color theory and color practice
Deconvolution: As used by the Hubble Space Telescope
Image Analysis: Quantifying digital imagery
Fourier Transforms: Explore the hidden world of "frequency space"
Astrometry: Measuring coordinates of celestial objects from images
Photometry: Determining magnitudes of variable stars
Spectroscopy: The last great frontier for amateurs
Point Operators: Powerful tools for deep-sky imaging
Linear Operators: Software tools for image enhancement
To help you understand these topics, in its 600-plus pages, the Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing includes over 227 illustrative figures and images, 21 tables, and 340 equations. This is truly a reference book that you will read many times and consult over and over as your interest in CCD imaging grows and matures.
Description
System requirements for accompanying computer disc: Windows 95 or later. Includes bibliographical references (p. 527-540) and index.