CCD

A CCD (for charge-coupled device ) is an electronic device generally used to detect light. It can be made very small and can be manufactured in arrays so that an image focused on the array can be captured as an electronic signal and fed into a computer. CCDs are used in telescopes (as well as many digital cameras) where they offer the ability to store the data electronically and even automate the whole observation process. They have increased the efficiency of observation, vastly increasing the number of observation photos, and their use is advantageous for remote operation of telescopes, including space probes, and for automated surveys.