Training - Adaptive Optics: from the concepts to the today’s technology and its application to ELTs (OP-002-ELT)
Course summary
The image quality of astronomical telescopes is severely limited by atmospheric turbulence. However, Adaptive Optics solves this problem by measuring and correcting image aberrations in real time. This has been applied in all major observatories and will be an absolute necessity for future Extremely Large Telescopes including the European E-ELT. This course explains Adaptive Optics (AO) systems from the basic concepts to the latest advances and provides the background necessary to understand future AO systems for ELTs.
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To whom the course is addressed
To physicists and engineers interested in developing an OA system. The course focuses on the astronomical applications of the OA for the ELT new generation telescopes, with special emphasis on ESO ELT.
Previous knowledge
The concepts will be developed from an introductory level. It would be advantageous to make better use of the course have previous knowledge of Optics, Statistics and operation of telescopes.
What this course is not
A merely graphic exhibition of the applications of the Adaptive Optics.
At the end of this course, attendees will
- Understand the concepts of OA, the limitations of the atmosphere to the image quality and the limited resolution by diffraction with the OA.
- Understand the physical limitations of OA.
- Acquire the appropriate knowledge to undertake the development of an OA system.
- Obtain a whole vision of the current state of the OA and the future plans of the ELTs.
Other courses are available on the Course Calendar.