Is this off-axis idea doable?

Is this idea feasible?

Use a CCD as an off axis secondary. Is it possible to use software to correct the distortions caused by the off-axis angle in a pixel by pixel manipulation algorithm?

In addition, size, heating, cooling, etc. are not problems with the off-axis CCD placement.

stU

Stu,

As no one else has replied, I thought I'd give it a shot:

Without a more full explanation, it's hard for me to really know your intent, but a few things come to mind:

The diagonal of a conventional scope is far from the point at which the primary forms an image (the prime focus). Replacing the diagonal with a CCD would give a very blurred image.

Assuming you mean to place the CCD at the prime focus, using software to improve the image is a dicey proposition for astronomy because such techniques (such as deconvolution) typically increase the effects of noise, though this might not be a problem for bright objects.

In general, improving the image optically before detection has a great advantage as the detector only records the intensity of the light, and not its phase (or direction). Recording the phase information is the "trick" that makes holograms work.

I hope this helps.

Allen