We had an opportunity to upgrade the CCD (digital camera) on our 16″ telescope this year. I am happy to report a beautiful first light image of the Orion Nebula. Much credit to our Lab Instructor, Paul Thorman for making this happen. This will make for much more exciting imaging and photometry opportunities for our Observational classes as well as Public Observing events.
As well as an update to our CCD, and with a much larger field of view than before (now 34 arcmin, or half a degree on a side instead of 8×12 arcmin) we also got more filters, which will improve our ability to make colour images, as well as measure photometric properties in more filter bands.
