<p>The current largest digital CCD camera is that of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C._Rubin_Observatory#Camera" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vera C. Rubin Observatory</a><sup>1</sup> which has <strong>a whopping 3.2 gigapixels</strong>. The previous largest features on the Panoramic Survey Telescope &amp; Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), and has a resolution of ~1.4 gigapixels.<a href="https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/breaking/2009/10/06/the-largest-ever-ccd-digital-cameras-will-explore-the-universe#:%7E:text=It%20will%20be%20the%20largest,camera%20which%20has%201.4%20gigapixels." rel="nofollow noreferrer">[1]</a></p>
<p>Based on the spec sheet provided by the Vera Rubin Observatory, the LSST camera has a resolution of roughly 0.2 arcseconds per 10 <span class="math-container">$\mu$</span>m pixel. It is about 5 feet (1.52 meters) wide and weighs over 6000 lbs (2721 kilos, <span class="math-container">$2.6\times10^9$</span> dyn).<a href="https://www.lsst.org/about/camera#:%7E:text=The%20LSST%20Camera%20is%20designed,pixel%20sensitivity%20vs%20pixel%20resolution.&amp;text=The%20detector%20format%20employs%20a,total%20of%20about%203.2%20gigapixels." rel="nofollow noreferrer">[2]</a> The actual photosensitive portion of the camera is ~64 cm (<span class="math-container">$4\times10^{34}$</span> Planck lengths) across.</p>
<p>Cameras of this size often have pointing, calibration and recording issues. These sources of error are usually extremely well understood, but it's still interesting to see. Pan-STARRS has a detailed list on their data site<a href="https://panstarrs.stsci.edu/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">[3]</a>. These issues include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Randomly missing data that gets filled in later</li>
<li>Pointing errors related to astrometric positions of their targets</li>
<li>Registration issues near the celestial pole resulting in poor photometry</li>
</ul>
<p><sup>1</sup>formerly known as the Large Synoptic Sky Survey or LSST. The acronym has now been repurposed: <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/34647/7982">What is the LSST now? Where does LSST end and Vera C. Rubin Observatory begin?</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T14:55:03.050Z
due purely to @pela 's charm, I have provided the weight estimate in dynes.
Joseph Farah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T15:05:20.747Z
Although the camera as a whole may be this size (1.2m is closer to 4 feet than 5 incidentally), the sensor array is 64cm across.
Steve Linton
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T15:06:12.300Z
64cm is about $4\times 10^{34}$ Planck lengths, incidentally
Steve Linton
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T15:08:28.730Z
@SteveLinton the 1.2 meters was a typo--great catch! And thanks for the additional info on the camera, I've updated my answer to include it. The 64 cm spec is provided on the same page about the camera I cited for the statement before, so I didn't add an additional source. I've also included the unit conversion you suggested to truly make the answer a smorgasbord.
Joseph Farah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T21:19:16.897Z
Can we choose SI *or* imperial units.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T21:24:23.190Z
@ProfRob I chose the primary units I did in order to be consistent with the spec sheet provided by Vera Rubin Observatory (linked in answer). However, as a possible resolution, I have updated the answer with additional unit conversions to SI.
Joseph Farah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T08:50:49.353Z
cgs please! you're an astronomer! ;-)
pela
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-05T01:36:45.593Z
2021-01-06T15:07:12.427Z
2021-01-06T15:07:12.427Z
Joseph Farah
<p>What image sensors (imaging electronics) are used in telescopes? Like CCD, is that the best option?</p>
<p>What is the typical physical size and resolution of the photo-sensitive surface of the currently active largest ones?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T14:10:00.087Z
Can you add more details?
WarpPrime
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T14:22:52.780Z
@fasterthanlight Sure, what details do you think will improve this question?
Ilya Gazman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T14:29:08.813Z
If I understand it well, the question is the size of the imaging electronics in the telescopes (ccd cam?), and also their resolution. Probably he wants to know the current record holder (which is probably Hubble).
peterh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T15:04:41.650Z
Please elaborate your question, I f*y hate to vote border cases for closure...
peterh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T15:31:18.907Z
tnx @peterh-ReinstateMonica I edit it based on your suggestion
Ilya Gazman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T15:39:43.740Z
As far I know, it uses CCD optic (there is a silicon sheet, where light arrives on it, changes its conductivity, this can be read out by underlying electronics). It is monochrome - multicolor images are created by filters. Afaik Hubble has multiple CCD and maybe mirrors select the currently active one.
peterh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T15:42:05.663Z
I edited the post, I am not sure if I used the correct terminology because also I am not very familiar with the topic - **but I hope, so is it already clear**.
peterh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T15:52:45.710Z
@peterh-ReinstateMonica Looks good to me. tnx
Ilya Gazman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-04T16:00:36.410Z
**Great question!** At 3.2 Gigapixels The [Vera C. Rubin Observatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C._Rubin_Observatory) is certainly *one of the largest* and most massive set of pixels being built, but I don't know if it is the absolute largest. For further reading see the links in [Why was the Vera C. Rubin Observatory LSST Camera tested with a broccoli and a pinhole?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/38784/7982) While not as large, the [Hyper Suprime-Cam](https://www.naoj.org/Projects/HSC/) is fun to read about as well.
uhoh
<telescope><image-processing>
What is the size of the image sensor in the largest optical telescopes?
Ilya Gazman
# What is the size of the image sensor in the largest optical telescopes?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-04)

What image sensors (imaging electronics) are used in telescopes? Like CCD, is that the best option?

What is the typical physical size and resolution of the photo-sensitive surface of the currently active largest ones?

**Tags:** telescope, image-processing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you add more details?  
> **username_0**: @fasterthanlight Sure, what details do you think will improve this question?  
> **username_2**: If I understand it well, the question is the size of the imaging electronics in the telescopes (ccd cam?), and also their resolution. Probably he wants to know the current record holder (which is probably Hubble).  
> **username_2**: Please elaborate your question, I f*y hate to vote border cases for closure...  
> **username_0**: tnx @username_2-ReinstateMonica I edit it based on your suggestion  
> **username_2**: As far I know, it uses CCD optic (there is a silicon sheet, where light arrives on it, changes its conductivity, this can be read out by underlying electronics). It is monochrome - multicolor images are created by filters. Afaik Hubble has multiple CCD and maybe mirrors select the currently active one.  
> **username_2**: I edited the post, I am not sure if I used the correct terminology because also I am not very familiar with the topic - **but I hope, so is it already clear**.  
> **username_0**: @username_2-ReinstateMonica Looks good to me. tnx  
> **username_3**: **Great question!** At 3.2 Gigapixels The [Vera C. Rubin Observatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C._Rubin_Observatory) is certainly *one of the largest* and most massive set of pixels being built, but I don't know if it is the absolute largest. For further reading see the links in [Why was the Vera C. Rubin Observatory LSST Camera tested with a broccoli and a pinhole?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/38784/7982) While not as large, the [Hyper Suprime-Cam](https://www.naoj.org/Projects/HSC/) is fun to read about as well.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-01-05. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

The current largest digital CCD camera is that of the [Vera C. Rubin Observatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C._Rubin_Observatory#Camera)1 which has **a whopping 3.2 gigapixels**. The previous largest features on the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), and has a resolution of ~1.4 gigapixels.[[1]](https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/breaking/2009/10/06/the-largest-ever-ccd-digital-cameras-will-explore-the-universe#:%7E:text=It%20will%20be%20the%20largest,camera%20which%20has%201.4%20gigapixels.)

Based on the spec sheet provided by the Vera Rubin Observatory, the LSST camera has a resolution of roughly 0.2 arcseconds per 10 $\mu$m pixel. It is about 5 feet (1.52 meters) wide and weighs over 6000 lbs (2721 kilos, $2.6\times10^9$ dyn).[[2]](https://www.lsst.org/about/camera#:%7E:text=The%20LSST%20Camera%20is%20designed,pixel%20sensitivity%20vs%20pixel%20resolution.&text=The%20detector%20format%20employs%20a,total%20of%20about%203.2%20gigapixels.) The actual photosensitive portion of the camera is ~64 cm ($4\times10^{34}$ Planck lengths) across.

Cameras of this size often have pointing, calibration and recording issues. These sources of error are usually extremely well understood, but it's still interesting to see. Pan-STARRS has a detailed list on their data site[[3]](https://panstarrs.stsci.edu/). These issues include:

* Randomly missing data that gets filled in later
* Pointing errors related to astrometric positions of their targets
* Registration issues near the celestial pole resulting in poor photometry

1formerly known as the Large Synoptic Sky Survey or LSST. The acronym has now been repurposed: [What is the LSST now? Where does LSST end and Vera C. Rubin Observatory begin?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/34647/7982)

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Can we choose SI *or* imperial units.  
> **username_4**: @username_6 I chose the primary units I did in order to be consistent with the spec sheet provided by Vera Rubin Observatory (linked in answer). However, as a possible resolution, I have updated the answer with additional unit conversions to SI.  
> **username_7**: cgs please! you're an astronomer! ;-)  
> **username_4**: due purely to @username_7 's charm, I have provided the weight estimate in dynes.  
> **username_5**: Although the camera as a whole may be this size (1.2m is closer to 4 feet than 5 incidentally), the sensor array is 64cm across.  
> **username_5**: 64cm is about $4\times 10^{34}$ Planck lengths, incidentally  
> **username_4**: @SteveLinton the 1.2 meters was a typo--great catch! And thanks for the additional info on the camera, I've updated my answer to include it. The 64 cm spec is provided on the same page about the camera I cited for the statement before, so I didn't add an additional source. I've also included the unit conversion you suggested to truly make the answer a smorgasbord.  

---

