CCD Imaging Primer
	Imaging Made Easy and Fun!

There are seven basic hardware components for CCD imaging:

1. telescope (mount + optical tube assembly + accessories)
2. imaging camera
3. imaging computer
4. guidescope
5. guiding camera
6. guiding computer
7. observatory

A basic setup would include the first three items. A more advanced setup would include the second three, allowing for much longer exposures. The ideal setup includes the last item so that the equipment can be permanently set up, saving the hassle of setting up, polar aligning, and packing up each night (and possibly doing flat frames as well).

Advances in camera interfaces, as well as continuing increases in computer power now allow guiding and imaging to occur on the same computer (one SX camera on USB and one on parallel), thus reducing the list of hardware somewhat. The new SX USB2 interface will allow both imaging camera & guider to operate not only on the same computer, but to operate through the same USB cable! Wow!

Telescope accessories includes at least a visual back, star diagonal, low power eyepiece, illuminated reticle eyepiece, dew heaters, and possibly an electric focuser. There may be other items that some deem essential, but these are the most basic ones.