V(WF)$^2$S: Very Wide Field WaveFront Sensor for GLAO
Adaptive optics is a technique mostly used on large telescopes. It turns out to be challenging for smaller telescopes (0.5~2m) due to the small isoplanatic angle, small subapertures and high correction speeds needed at visible wavelengths, requiring bright stars for guiding, severely limiting the sk...
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Zusammenfassung: | Adaptive optics is a technique mostly used on large telescopes. It turns out
to be challenging for smaller telescopes (0.5~2m) due to the small isoplanatic
angle, small subapertures and high correction speeds needed at visible
wavelengths, requiring bright stars for guiding, severely limiting the sky
coverage. NGS SCAO is ideal for planetary objects but remains limited for
general purpose observing. The approach we consider is a compromise between
image quality gain and sky coverage: we propose to partially improve the image
quality anywhere in the sky instead of providing the diffraction limit around a
few thousand bright stars. We suggest a new solution based on multiple AO
concepts brought together: The principle is based on a rotating Foucault test,
like the first AO concept proposed by H. Babcock in 1953, on the Ground Layer
Adaptive Optics, proposed by Rigaut and Tokovinin in the early 2000s, and on
the idea of Layer-oriented MCAO and the pupil-plane wavefront analysis by R.
Ragazzoni. We propose to combine these techniques to use all the light
available in a large field to measure the ground layer turbulence and enable
the high angular resolution imaging of regions of the sky (e.g., nebulas,
galaxies) inaccessible to traditional AO systems. The motivation to develop
compact and robust AO system for small telescopes is two-fold: On the one hand,
universities often have access to small telescopes as part of their education
programs. Also, researchers in countries with fewer resources could also
benefit from reliable adaptive optics system on smaller telescopes for research
and education purposes. On the other hand, amateur astronomers and enthusiasts
want improved image quality for visual observation and astrophotography.
Implementing readily accessible adaptive optics in astronomy clubs would also
likely have a significant impact on citizen science. |
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DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.2310.07495 |