Diffraction-limited lucky imaging with a 12" commercial telescope

Brian J. Baptista

doi:10.1117/12.2057647

28 July 2014 Diffraction-limited lucky imaging with a 12" commercial telescope

Brian J. Baptista

Proceedings Volume 9147, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy V; 91475A (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057647
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Here we demonstrate a novel lucky imaging camera which is designed to produce diffraction-limited imaging using small telescopes similar to ones used by many academic institutions for outreach and/or student training. We present a design that uses a Meade 12” SCT paired with an Andor iXon fast readout EMCCD. The PSF of the telescope is matched to the pixel size of the EMCCD by adding a simple, custom-fabricated, intervening optical system. We demonstrate performance of the system by observing both astronomical and terrestrial targets. The astronomical application requires simpler data reconstruction techniques as compared to the terrestrial case. We compare different lucky imaging registration and reconstruction algorithms for use with this imager for both astronomical and terrestrial targets. We also demonstrate how this type of instrument would be useful for both undergraduate and graduate student training. As an instructional aide, the instrument can provide a hands-on approach for teaching instrument design, standard data reduction techniques, lucky imaging data processing, and high resolution imaging concepts.

Citation Download Citation

Brian J. Baptista "Diffraction-limited lucky imaging with a 12" commercial telescope", Proc. SPIE 9147, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy V, 91475A (28 July 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057647

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KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Point spread functions

Lithium

Astronomy

Electron multiplying charge coupled devices

Sensors

Picosecond phenomena

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