Abstract: A high sensitivity, single chip, low light level imaging device is provided. The imaging device of the present invention utilizes sparse color sampling, to maximize the luminance information gathered. In particular, color information is gathered by a small proportion of the pixels included in an image sensor, while the remaining pixels operate at full spectrum sensitivity. The present invention allows the correct hue of objects to be determined, while providing high sensitivity to available luminance information in a scene. The imaging device can include a global near infrared blocking filter that can be selectively placed in the optical path of the device. In addition or alternatively, opaque pixels may be included in the image sensor to correct for errors caused by charge diffusion.

Abstract: A tracker for stellar objects including stars is provided. The star tracker includes a charge coupled device having an image section and a memory section. The image section is useful in obtaining acquisition information related to determining the presence of one or more stars. The image section is also useful in obtaining location information useful in determining the position of each such star. The image section also obtains discardable information, such as information related to dark current and background star generated charge. The memory section receives the location or acquisition information from the image section. Such information is stored in significantly fewer lines and cells in the memory section than the number of lines from which such information was obtained in the image section. When storing location information in the memory section, at least one guard line can be provided intermediate the location information and the discardable information.