Peter Ceravolo, Ceravolo Optical Systems ("Telescopes for Monster CCDs", Small Tent, Friday 3:30 p.m.) is a professional optician and an experienced astro-imager.

The days of CCD chips being smaller than the fingernail on one's pinkie are over. The introduction of the SBIGs 11 megapixel camera, with a chip the size of a 35mm film frame, will challenge the performance of most telescopes. Is the investment worthwhile for the average telescope? Peter will review the imaging characteristics of popular telescope designs and discuss the use and effectiveness of field correctors. Also, "clean sheet" telescope designs will be discussed that are ideally suited to monster CCDs.