UBC Theses and Dissertations

UBC Theses Logo

UBC Theses and Dissertations

A digital data acquisition system for astronomical spectra Isherwood, Barclay Clifford

Abstract

Certain restrictions associated with conventional photographic techniques have led to the use of a low light level television tube (isocon tube) as an alternative detector for astronomical spectra. An on-line digital data acquisition system has been developed to process and analyze data from the television camera. The digital system consists of a high speed analog-to-digital converter, a digital computer with magnetic tape transport and oscilloscope display, and some digital control logic. Spectra displayed on the photocathode of the isocon tube are digitized by the A/D converter and stored on magnetic tape via the computer processor. Data acquisition time for one frame of data (1360 samples) is less than 1.5 seconds. Results obtained with the system indicate that it performs as initially intended and is able to resolve spectral features of the order of 0.1 mm.

Item Media

Item Citations and Data

Rights

For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.