Adaptive Optics

Ever since the telescope's invention, astronomers have been plagued by the effects of the earth's atmosphere on the images they see or record. To counter the wobble in images new telescopes use mirrors and "guide starts" to computer-correct the images. These "adaptive" optics are discussed here.

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The definitive book, for physicists and engineers, on the recent branch of optics that is revolutionizing astronomical telescopes and surveillance satellites.. For hundreds of years, ever since Galileo first turned a telescope to the sky, astronomers have been plagued by the disturbing effects of the earths turbulent atmosphere on the images they see or record. To counter the wobble in images produced by even cold, clear air, the new generation of ground-based telescopes for astronomy are using flexible mirrors and laser-generated guide stars to computer-correct the images. This book, written at a graduate-student level for optical engineers and astronomers, discusses the theory and practice of these new adaptive optics.