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Flat-Fielding for CCDs in AAVSO Observations, I

Gary P Emerson

E. E. Barnard Observatory

34226 Gap Road

Golden, CO 80403

Stephen J. Little

Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy (CASA)

CB 389, University of Colorado

Boulder, CO 80309

Presented at the 87th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO, June 20, 1998

Abstract

Flat-field correction for CCD chips is necessary to correct for the relative sensitivity to light of each pixel in the array as well as non-uniformities in the focal plane of the telescope + filter combination. This has been a serious issue for AAVSO CCD observers. Each observer tends to have a different method of performing flat-fielding, and even in the professional astronomical ranks there is no agreement as to how flat-fields should be obtained. We present a simple method that can be used at any time of day or night to make an accurate flat-field for CCD observing.

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