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Activity 2 Image Quality

Image quality for images captured by telescope/CCD systems depends upon a lot of different factors that we will explore in all of the activities of this module.  Begin by looking at images taken with different telescopes and different CCD cameras, under different conditions.  Because we cannot look through the system as we do a film camera before we take the picture, we don’t find out if we did everything correctly until the image is viewed on a computer.  This is why it is important for astronomers to develop an understanding of image quality so they can tell what adjustments need to be made to get the image they desire.

Directions:

1. Open your HOU-IP software.  Locate and open each of the images for one object.  You may choose any object set or collaborate with classmates so that different objects are studied by different groups.

2. Examine and describe each of these images how they are different from one another.  Use your HOU-IP tools to help you investigate.  See Image Processing Tips and Tricks if you need some help.
3. Speculate why these images are different and how you might change the telescope or CCD camera options to create the best images.
4. After sharing your results with the class, record the new vocabulary you have for describing differences in images.