High resolution imaging with AEOS

Jennifer Patience, Bruce A. Macintosh, Claire E. Max

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The U. S. Air Force Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS) which includes a 941 actuator adaptive optics system on a 3.7m telescope has recently been made available for astronomical programs. Operating at a wavelength of 750 nm, the diffraction-limited angular resolution of the system is 0.04 inch; currently, the magnitude limit is V∼7 mag. At the distances of nearby open clusters, diffraction-limited images should resolve companions with separations as small as 4-6 AU - comparable to the Sun-Jupiter distance. The ability to study such close separations is critical, since most companions are expected to have separations in the few AU to tens of AU range. With the exceptional angular resolution of the current AEOS setup, but restricted target magnitude range, we are conducting a companion search of a large, well-defined sample of bright early-type stars in nearby open clusters and in the field. Our data set will both characterize this relatively new adaptive optics system and answer questions in binary star formation and stellar X-ray activity. We will discuss our experience using AEOS, the data analysis involved, and our initial results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsA.R. Pirich, P.L. Repak, P.S. Idell, S.R. Czyzak
Pages178-186
Number of pages9
Volume4490
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes
EventMultifrequency Electronic/Photonic Devices and Systems for Dual-Use Applications - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Jul 29 2001Jul 30 2001

Other

OtherMultifrequency Electronic/Photonic Devices and Systems for Dual-Use Applications
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period7/29/017/30/01

Keywords

  • Adaptive optics
  • Astronomy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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