附录附录1翻译部分Raw CCD images are exceptional but not perfect. Due to the digital nature of the data many of the imperfections can be compensated for or calibrated out of the final image through digital image processing.Composition of a Raw CCD Image.A raw CCD image consists of the following signal components:IMAGE SIGNAL - The signal from the source.Electrons are generated from the actual source photons.BIAS SIGNAL - Initial signal already on the CCD before the exposure is taken. This signal is due to biasing the CCD offset slightly above zero A/D counts (ADU).THERMAL SIGNAL - Signal (Dark Current thermal electrons) due to the thermal activity of the semiconductor. Thermal signal is reduced by cooling of the CCD to low temperature.Sources of NoiseCCD images are susceptible to the following sources of noise:PHOTON NOISE - Random fluctuations in the photon signal of the source. The rate at which photons are received is not constant.THERMAL NOISE - Statistical fluctuations in the generation of Thermal signal. The rate at which electrons are produced in the semiconductor substrate due to thermal effects is not constant.READOUT NOISE - Errors in reading the signal; generally dominated by the on-chip amplifier.QUANTIZATION NOISE - Errors introduced in the A/D conversion process.SENSITIVITY VARIATION - Sensitivity variations from photosite to photosite on the CCD detector or across the detector. Modern CCDs are uniform to better than 1% between neighboring photosites and uniform to better than 10% across the entire surface.Noise CorrectionsREDUCING NOISE - Readout Noise and Quantization Noise are limited by the construction of the CCD camera and can not be improved upon by the user. Thermal Noise, however, can be reduced by cooling of the CCD (temperature regulation). The Sensitivity Variations can be removed by proper flat fielding.CORRECTING FOR THE BIAS AND THERMAL SIGNALS - The Bias and Thermal signals can be subtracted out from the Raw Image by taking what is called a Dark Exposure. The dark exposure is a measure of the Bias Signal and Thermal Signal and may simply be subtracted from the Raw Image.FLAT FIELDING -A record of the photosite to photosite sensitivity variations can be obtained by taking an exposure of a uniformly lit flat field. These variations can then be divided out of the Raw Image to produce an image essentially free from this source of error. Any length exposure will do, but ideally one which saturates the pixels to the 50% or 75% level is best.The Final Processed ImageThe final Processed Image which removes unwanted signals and reduces noise as best we can is computed as follows:Final Processed Image = (Raw - Dark)/FlatAll of the digital image processing functions described above can be accomplished by using CCDOPS software furnished with each SBIG imaging camera. The steps to accomplish them are described in the Operating Manual furnished with each SBIG imaging camera. At SBIG we offer our technical support to help you with questions on how to improve your images.HOW TO SELECT THE CORRECT CCD IMAGING CAMERA FOR YOUR TELESCOPEWhen new customers contact SBIG we discuss their imaging camera application. We try to get an idea of their interests. We have found this method is an effective way of insuring that our customers get the right imaging camera for their purposes. Some of the questions we ask are as follows:What type of telescope do you presently own? Having this information allows us to match the CCD imaging Cameras parameters, pixel size and field of view to your telescope. We can also help you interface the CCD imaging cameras automatic guiding functions to your telescope.Are you a MAC or PC user? Since our software supports both of these platforms we can insure that you receive the correct software. We can also answer questions about any unique functions in one or the other. We can send you a demonstration copy of the appropriate software for your review.Do you have a telescope drive base with an autoguider port? Do you want to operate from a remote computer? Companies like Software Bisque fully support our products with telescope control and imaging camera software. Do you want to take photographic quality images of deep space objects, image planets, or perform wide field searches for near earth asteroids or supernovas? In learning about your interests we can better guide you to the optimum CCD pixel size and imaging area for the application. Do you want to make photometric measurements of variable stars or determine precise asteroid positions? From this information we can recommend a CCD imaging camera model and explain how to use the specific analysis functions to perform these tasks. We can help you characterize your imaging camera by furnishing additional technical data.Do you want to automatically guide long uninterrupted astrophotographs? As the company with the most experience in CCD autoguiding we can help yo