If you have a read of the titles of various member articles on this very forum you may find answers to MANY of your questions.....
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?projects
Try some of the following in particular:
Taking Great CCD Images
Adding a Webcam to your Telescope
Planetary Imaging and Image Processing
Digital Imaging - Flats and Darks Explained!
There's plenty of others in the Astrophotography section.
Cheers!