Abstract

A prototype adaptive optics (AO) system optimized for astronomical applications is currently being built at the University of Hawaii. The system will use natural stars in the vicinity of the object of interest to sense the wavefront. Owing to the extreme sensitivity of the wavefront sensor, it will be possible to observe improved images over most of the sky. Fig. 1 shows the expected reference star limiting magnitude and the compensated field-of-view for a 2, 5, and 9 Zernike conpensation (+) on a 3.6-m telescope. The contour plot shows the percentage of sky coverage at 90° of Galactic latitude. The dotted contour is the 50% coverage at the Galactic pole. Fig. 1 shows that tip-tilt compensation (2 Zernike terms) will be achieved over the whole sky, as already demonstrated by HR Cam at the CFH telescope. A 5-Zernike compensation, equivalent to that of most current systems, will be achieved over 30% of the sky. In addition a 9-Zernike compensation, will be possible over 10% of the sky.

© 1992 Optical Society of America