Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science

Details Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science

Mar 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001pasp..113..397m&link_type=abstract

The Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Volume 113, Issue 781, pp. 397-400.

Physics

Optics

Instrumentation: Adaptive Optics, Techniques: Miscellaneous, Telescopes

Scientific paper

All large telescopes in the world are now equipped with adaptive optics systems. These systems are usually used for near-infrared imaging, spectroscopy, and/or coronography. Their efficiency in terms of spatial resolution improvement is now globally accepted. But no study has been made so far about the (in)efficiency of such systems in terms of telescope observing time, i.e., effective integration times used for scientific observations (shutter time). This is the aim of this paper. For the very first time, adaptive optics observations, over 3 years, are studied in detail: the relative scientific shutter efficiency is found to be between 10% and 35%, significantly below the average for other infrared instrumentation, i.e., between 50% and 80%. This study also shows that the use of adaptive optics observation preparation tools together with smart observing templates will dramatically increase the average shutter efficiency for many adaptive optics programs. The observational experience of the users also influences the (in)efficiency: users with more experience in the operation of the system are in general more efficient in using the allocated observing time. Scheduling of service-mode observation programs should be preferred in the future.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Using Adaptive Optics Systems on Large Telescopes: A Study of the Fraction of Observing Time Really Spent for Science will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1093654