Noise-limited resolution for space-based Earth-observing telescopes

Eric P. Magee; Michael C. Roggemann; Andrew S. Kondrath

doi:10.1117/12.451862

15 November 2002 Noise-limited resolution for space-based Earth-observing telescopes

Eric P. Magee, Michael C. Roggemann, Andrew S. Kondrath

Proceedings Volume 4824, Airborne Reconnaissance XXVI; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451862
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2002, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

There is a current push to place large telescopes in geosynchronous earth orbit to improve the imaging resolution of earth observing systems. The concept is to use inflatable or deployable optical systems to get diffraction-limited imaging from a thirty-meter class telescope in space. While the resolution of conventional ground based telescopes is limited by near field atmospheric distortions, space based systems have no such limitation. However, the issue of signal strength must be considered. In this paper, the effects of noise on imaging performance are investigated in terms of the frequency domain signal-to-noise ratio. The resolution in the presence of noise is determined by the spatial frequency at which the SNR drops below unity. It is shown that for a power law (f^-n) object spectrum the resolving power is not proportional to the square of the aperture diameter, D, but rather D^m where m is less than two and dependent upon object spectrum power law relationship, n.

Citation Download Citation

Eric P. Magee, Michael C. Roggemann, and Andrew S. Kondrath "Noise-limited resolution for space-based Earth-observing telescopes", Proc. SPIE 4824, Airborne Reconnaissance XXVI, (15 November 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451862

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