[Laser] Big adaptive optics

[Laser at KatHouse1.com]

This has also been available to the backyard astronomer for quite a few
years using a standard video camera and a program called Astrovideo.  I've
been using the program for quite a few years.  The results are nothing short
of spectacular not only for eliminating atmospheric distortion but also
because it has the ability to stack images and literally pull the image up
out of the noise.  I can see objects using this setup that I can't even
begin to see using my eyes and any eyepiece that I own  I can image deep
space objects from my light polluted front yard by lining the camera up on
the known starfield around the desired object then let Astrovideo do it's
magic.  Sometimes in as little as 10 to 15 seconds the desired object will
start to appear out of the noise.  The program has many different modes
depending on whether you are trying to enhance signal to noise, eliminate
atmospheric distortion or both.  The program has both automatic and manual
modes for stacking images.

http://www.coaa.co.uk/astrovideo.htm

=====

----- Original Message -----
From: "J Forster" <jfor at quik.com>
To: "Free Space LASER Communications" <laser at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 1:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Laser] Big adaptive optics


> This idea has been around on that telescope since at least the 1960s. It
was first done with movie film as I remember.
>
> -John
>
>
>
> James Whitfield wrote:
>
> > I just read an article that was forwarded to me by members of the
astronomy club about a technique for using adaptive optics on the 200 inch
Hale telescope on Mount Palomar.  The concept is that the dynamics of the
atmosphere will cause for brief times on small areas of the image formed by
the telescope to have less blurring than the image as a whole or if the
pixels are integrated for longer times.  The use of a "fast" ( all of 20
frames per second ) camera is used to capture a succession of images which
are then searched for these "lucky" patches which are then combined.  I
thought it was interesting reading.  (  If you are curious, try searching
for "Palomar" and "Lucky Camera". )
> >
> > There might be something that can be adapted to light communication
experiments at our level.  Maybe use the peak output from an array of 16
light sensors.  Maybe integrate the light comming to a sensor during a frame
then reseting it.  Maybe it is just thinking about the optical system for an
image telescope as it contrasts to a communications instrument ( What does
sharp focus/blurred image mean for a single pixel camera?  Or light
modulated with a data stream? ).
> >
> > Does it spark any ideas for any of you?
> >
> > James
> >  n5gui
> >
>
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