Abstract

Conventional telescope imaging systems are prone to image degradation resulting from several distorting mechanisms. These mechanisms include atmospheric turbulence, misalignment of telescope optics and primary mirror distortions. Furthermore, engineering challenges associated with fabricating, transporting and manipulating large-aperture optics limit the size of high-optical-quality primary mirrors manufactured for telescope systems. This in turn limits both the resolution and light gathering ability of present day ground-based and space-based astronomical telescopes.

© 1996 Optical Society of America