[Aavso-photometry] CCD Cameras - Advice wanted!

[Michael Crook]

Hi Folks,

Hope you all had a good Christmas!

I've noticed a 'wierd' pattern on my recent CCD images
and on closer inspection I can see what appears to be
tiny droplets of water appearing on the actual chip -
which then freeze as the chip cools.

I've been advised my camera  - a FLI Maxcam, will need
to be re-purged which will mean sending it back to the
manufacturer in the USA (I'm in the UK). This is going
to be expensive, and I've also been advised that I may
need to keep doing this every couple of years or so.

My questions are - 

1) Is there anything I can do myself to prevent the
moisture forming?

2)Are there any cameras suitable for photometry which
don't have to be re-purged periodically? It may be
cheaper in the long-run for me to get a different
camera! The scopes I use are 6" and 9.25" SCTs at F6.3

Many thanks,

Mick Crook
  


  


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