Exposure Times
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Our online training has a comprehensive course that gives further details about exposure times, and we recommend you have a look at the information that is available there.
Exposure Times
The table below shows some typical exposures for astronomical objects being imaged with the Faulkes Telescopes.
|
Object Type |
Lower Limit (seconds) |
Usual Exposure Range (seconds) |
Better Images (seconds) |
|
Galaxy |
30s |
60s |
120+s |
|
Nebula |
30s |
60s |
120+s |
|
Star Cluster |
2-5s |
5-30s |
Ask for advice |
|
Planetary Nebula |
10-20s |
30-40s |
Ask for advice |
|
Asteroids |
Mag <10: Avoid imaging if possible |
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|
Planets |
These should not be observed with either FTN or FTS because they leave residual images on the CCD. |
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|
Stars |
Depends on the magnitude of the stars. The exposure times for asteroids can be used as a guide to exposure times for stars. |
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|
Bright Stars |
Stars brighter than magnitude 8 should not be routinely imaged without advice from the FT Operations Centre. |
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|
The Moon |
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|
The Sun |
The Sun is much too bright to be imaged with a Faulkes Telescope. The telescope will not allow this to happen. |
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As discussed, over-exposing an object can lead to blooming etc. Under-exposing an object doesn't harm the CCD at all, but doesn't give you very good images.
