Photographic Detection of Faint Stellar Objects

Abstract

The theoretical considerations in the photographic detection of faint stellar objects are reviewed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio concepts. It is predicted that slower emulsions will detect fainter stellar objects than the currently used faster plates, provided the detective quantum efficiencies of the two are similar. An experimental plate, one quarter the speed of the currently used plate, has been made and does detect fainter stellar objects, as predicted theoretically. A graphical solution to the determination of the optimum photographic operating condition is given.