Results of adaptive optics at Mt. Wilson Observatory

J. C. Shelton; Sallie L. Baliunas

doi:10.1117/12.152683

25 August 1993 Results of adaptive optics at Mt. Wilson Observatory

J. C. Shelton, Sallie L. Baliunas

Proceedings Volume 1920, Active and Adaptive Optical Components and Systems II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.152683
Event: 1993 North American Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, 1993, Albuquerque, NM, United States

Abstract

We have mounted an early adaptive optics system, the Atmospheric Compensation Experiment (ACE), on the 60-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory in California in a program designed to investigate the performance of ACE at an astronomical site and to evaluate the usefulness of adaptive optics for astronomy. Despite its development as a non-astronomical instrument, ACE has produced positive results, including the obtaining of images of single and double stars with a resolution (full-width half-maximum) of 117 milliarcseconds at 700 nm. Improvement of image quality is obtained for guide objects with a B magnitude brighter than 5.9. To deepen this limiting magnitude, we have embarked on a low-noise high-speed CCD fabrication project jointly with JPL. First devices have been fabricated. We have applied post- processing techniques borrowed from speckle methodology to the adaptive optics images, and find that the pre- and post-processing techniques complement each other powerfully. We conclude that an adaptive optics system designed specifically for visible-wavelength astronomy would be a low-order system with good site thermal control, combined with post-processing. Such a system could be effective, robust and relatively low cost.

Citation Download Citation

J. C. Shelton and Sallie L. Baliunas "Results of adaptive optics at Mt. Wilson Observatory", Proc. SPIE 1920, Active and Adaptive Optical Components and Systems II, (25 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.152683

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