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adaptive optics |
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adaptive optics n (functioning as singular) (Physics / General Physics) a technique used to increase the resolution of a ground-based astronomical telescope by counteracting the effects of the atmosphere on the image. A deforming mirror in the light path of the telescope maintains a pointlike image of the celestial body using either a real star or a laser beam as a reference How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| ? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | |
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| The Ohio native spent his career conducting research on the physics
of propagation of light through atmospheric turbulence and a technique
called laser guidestar adaptive optics that corrects distortion caused
by the atmosphere. Astronomers credit the Keck telescope's adaptive optics with
its success at pinpointing the Io eruption. Laird Thompson, an astronomy professor at the University of
Illinois, spent several nights last week firing a laser 12 miles into
the atmosphere above the mountain and using the light beam to calibrate
the adaptive optics system. |
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