Adaptive Optics for Astronomy: Principles, Performance, and Applications
Abstract
An overview of the principles, performance, and application (solar and nighttime) of adaptive optics for astronomical telescopes is presented. Attention is given to a historical background of the use of adaptive optics for compensating atmospheric seeing, wavefront distortion by the atmosphere, and assessment and correction of the wavefront distortion. Predicted and achieved performance, the first astronomical results, and limitations to the astronomical applications of adaptive optics systems and ways of removing them are also discussed.
- Publication:
-
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1146/annurev.aa.31.090193.000305
- Bibcode:
- 1993ARA&A..31...13B
- Keywords:
-
- Adaptive Optics;
- Atmospheric Effects;
- Image Resolution;
- Star Trackers;
- Telescopes;
- Wave Front Deformation;
- Astronomy;
- Performance Prediction;
- Optics