An ultrahigh-speed digitizer for the Harvard College Observatory astronomical plates

R. J. Simcoe; J. E. Grindlay; E. J. Los; A. Doane; S. G. Laycock; D. J. Mink; G. Champine; A. Sliski

doi:10.1117/12.681365

24 August 2006 An ultrahigh-speed digitizer for the Harvard College Observatory astronomical plates

R. J. Simcoe, J. E. Grindlay, E. J. Los, A. Doane, S. G. Laycock, D. J. Mink, G. Champine, A. Sliski

Proceedings Volume 6312, Applications of Digital Image Processing XXIX; 631217 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681365
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A machine capable of digitizing two 8 inch by 10 inch (203 mm by 254 mm) glass astrophotographic plates or a single 14 inch by 17 inch (356 mm by 432 mm) plate at a resolution of 11 μm per pixel or 2309 dots per inch (dpi) in 92 seconds is described. The purpose of the machine is to digitize the ~500,000 plate collection of the Harvard College Observatory in a five-year time frame. The digitization must meet the requirements for scientific work in astrometry, photometry, and archival preservation of the plates. This paper describes the requirements for and the design of the subsystems of the machine that was developed specifically for this task.

Citation Download Citation

R. J. Simcoe, J. E. Grindlay, E. J. Los, A. Doane, S. G. Laycock, D. J. Mink, G. Champine, and A. Sliski "An ultrahigh-speed digitizer for the Harvard College Observatory astronomical plates", Proc. SPIE 6312, Applications of Digital Image Processing XXIX, 631217 (24 August 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681365

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