{"title":"Adaptive Optics","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Mount guiding corrects at roughly one-second intervals, which is fine for tracking error and useless against atmospheric turbulence that changes many times per second. An adaptive optics unit corrects at those higher rates by tilting a small optical element, tightening star images beyond what any mount can achieve alone. David Astro carries adaptive optics products in Canada, held in Canadian stock.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    The benefit depends heavily on guide star brightness, seeing and focal length. Tell us all three and we will give you an honest assessment before you spend.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eTip-Tilt Correction and Its Limits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Amateur adaptive optics is tip-tilt correction rather than wavefront correction. It moves the whole image slightly at high speed to counter atmospheric motion, which sharpens stars without correcting higher-order distortion.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorrection rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tens of corrections per second rather than one, which is what allows it to track atmospheric motion that guiding simply averages over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuide star brightness:\u003c\/strong\u003e The limiting factor. High correction rates mean very short guide exposures, so a bright guide star is essential and a faint one makes the system useless.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocal length dependence:\u003c\/strong\u003e The benefit scales with image scale. At long focal length the improvement can be substantial; at short focal length seeing is already smaller than a pixel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeing conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works best in moderate seeing. In very poor seeing the motion exceeds the correction range; in excellent seeing there is less to correct.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount error also corrected:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because it corrects position at high rate, it also removes residual mount error, which reduces demands on the mount itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBack-focus consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e The unit sits in the imaging train and consumes spacing that must be planned alongside the camera and filter wheel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose David Astro for Adaptive Optics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    This is a category where we frequently advise against a purchase, because the conditions for it to help are specific.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHonest benefit assessment:\u003c\/strong\u003e At short focal lengths or without bright guide stars, the improvement is marginal. We will tell you before you spend rather than after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuide star availability checked:\u003c\/strong\u003e We assess whether your typical fields will offer stars bright enough for the required correction rate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing planned:\u003c\/strong\u003e We include the unit in your back-focus calculation alongside every other element in the train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthorized dealer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full manufacturer warranty with support handled in Canada.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShips from Canada:\u003c\/strong\u003e No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eAdaptive Optics in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdl\u003e\n    \u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill adaptive optics fix bad seeing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n    \u003cdd\u003eIt reduces image motion, which sharpens stars, but it does not correct higher-order distortion. In very poor seeing the motion can exceed the correction range and the benefit falls away.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n    \u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow bright must my guide star be?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n    \u003cdd\u003eBright enough for exposures of a few tens of milliseconds, which is far brighter than conventional guiding requires. This is usually the practical constraint on whether the system helps.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n    \u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it replace a good mount?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n    \u003cdd\u003ePartly. It corrects residual mount error at high rate, which lowers the demands on the mount, but a mount with large or erratic error will still exceed the correction range.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n    \u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it worth it at short focal length?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n    \u003cdd\u003eGenerally not. At wide fields the atmospheric motion is small relative to your pixel scale, so there is little to gain. The benefit rises with focal length.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n  \u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eConsidering adaptive optics?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eTell us your focal length, seeing and typical fields and we will assess honestly. Canadian stock, worldwide shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sbig-ao-8-adaptative-optics","title":"SBIG AO-8 Adaptative Optics","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eAdaptive Optics unit for Aluma and STF cameras\u003cp\u003eThe AO-8A works with the STF and Aluma series cameras.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AO-8A requires an off-axis guide camera behind the device.  For Aluma cameras this requires either a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/sc-2\/\"\u003eStarChaser SC-2\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/sttstxlstx-remote-guide-head\/\"\u003eRemote Guide Head\u003c\/a\u003e used with a custom Off-Axis Guider.  All STF cameras are supported via the StarChaser SC-2 (except STF-402 due to different mounting interface). Also works with older self-guided Aluma wheels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAO Results\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe images below are actual star images showing the effect of image wander corrected at 1 Hz and 10 Hz:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the resulting size of the star image in a long exposure:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther data gathered by Brad Wallis of JPL (Brad Wallis and Benoit Schillings developed the prototype for the original AO-7) show the the effect of rapid corrections on poor seeing.  At 1 Hz the larger, slower component is reduced, but the amplitude of the jitter remains about the same:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, at a 5Hz correction rate, the faster jitter is reduced:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd at a 10 Hz correction rate, significant improvement is seen:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe improvement in stellar profiles can also be seen at corrections above 1 Hz.  First by looking at the non-AO guided image:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd comparing the non-AO guided image to the AO guided image there is again significant improvement in the FWHM of the star profile:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelescope mounts cannot correct faster than about once per second.  The 10Hz rate of the AO will clearly result in improved resolution under the right conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv data-custom-tab\u003e\n\u003cp data-custom-tab-title\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOS Compatibility\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eWindows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComputer Interface\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eI2C\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv data-custom-tab\u003e\n\u003cp data-custom-tab-title\u003eDownloads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDocumentation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eUser’s Manual\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManual for the AO-8T adaptive optics unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/t\/7\/assets\/description_image_ao8manual.pdf?v=1684345404\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBackfocus Table\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBackfocus configuration table\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/t\/7\/assets\/description_image_backfocus.993x0.gif?v=1684345406\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"AO-8A for Aluma cameras","offer_id":44967711408413,"sku":"DL-AO-8A","price":1429.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"AO-8T for STT cameras","offer_id":44967711441181,"sku":"DL-AO-8T","price":1429.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"sbig-ao-x-adaptive-optics","title":"SBIG AO-X Adaptive Optics","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe next-generation of adaptive optics for our SBIG large-format cameras.\u003cp\u003eThe SBIG AO-X is a large aperture AO designed to be compatible with all large format SBIG cameras,  including STX-16803, STXL-16200, STXL-11000, STXL-6303, and Aluma AC4040.  The AO-X requies minimal backfocus while offering a large 3″ aperture optical element, which is large enough to cover all sensors available in the STX, STXL, and Aluma AC series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AO-X requires an off-axis guide camera behind the device and in front of the filter wheel (FW8S-STXL or FW7-STX), such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/sc-3\/\"\u003eStarChaser SC-3\u003c\/a\u003e. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/diffractionlimited.com\/product\/sttstxlstx-remote-guide-head\/\"\u003eRemote Guide Head\u003c\/a\u003e may also be used if you have a custom Off-Axis Guider setup.  Also works with the discontinued STX Guider and self-guided STXL filter wheels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAO Results\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe images below are actual star images showing the effect of image wander corrected at 1 Hz and 10 Hz:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e 10 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the resulting size of the star image in a long exposure:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10 Hz Corrections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther data gathered by Brad Wallis of JPL (Brad Wallis and Benoit Schillings developed the prototype for the original AO-7) show the the effect of rapid corrections on poor seeing.  At 1 Hz the larger, slower component is reduced, but the amplitude of the jitter remains about the same:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, at a 5Hz correction rate, the faster jitter is reduced:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd at a 10 Hz correction rate, significant improvement is seen:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe improvement in stellar profiles can also be seen at corrections above 1 Hz.  First by looking at the non-AO guided image:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd comparing the non-AO guided image to the AO guided image there is again significant improvement in the FWHM of the star profile:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelescope mounts cannot correct faster than about once per second.  The 10Hz rate of the AO-X will clearly result in improved resolution under the right conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv data-custom-tab\u003e\n\u003cp data-custom-tab-title\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupplied through Camera’s I2C Port\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOS Compatibility\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eWindows 32 and 64 bit OS, Mac\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComputer Interface\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eI2C\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDimensions\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 x 7 x 1.2 in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.2 lbs (1 kg)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv data-custom-tab\u003e\n\u003cp data-custom-tab-title\u003eDownloads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecification Sheet\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnical specifications for the AO-X.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/t\/7\/assets\/description_image_AAS_AOX.pdf?v=1684345412\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ch4\u003eUser’s Manual\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation and operation instructions for your AO-X adaptive optics unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/t\/7\/assets\/description_image_aox_manual_v1_3.pdf?v=1684345416\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDownload\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44967711932701,"sku":"DL-AO-X","price":3249.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/products\/SBIG-AO-X-Adaptive-Optics-1__18506.1600282391.1280.1280.jpg?v=1684345581"},{"product_id":"sbig-starchaser-sc-2-ao-8a-bundle","title":"SBIG StarChaser SC-2 \/ AO-8A Bundle","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e#N\/A","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44967712588061,"sku":"DL-SC2-AO8-PACK","price":3387.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"sbig-starchaser-sc-3-ao-x-bundle","title":"SBIG StarChaser SC-3 \/ AO-X Bundle","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e#N\/A","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44967712719133,"sku":"DL-SC3-AOX-PACK","price":5207.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"sbig-starchaser-sc-4-ao-x-bundle","title":"SBIG StarChaser SC-4\/ AO-X Bundle","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e#N\/A","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44967712850205,"sku":"DL-SC4-AOX-PACK","price":4738.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"sbig-ao-8-conversion-plate","title":"SBIG AO-8 Conversion Plate","description":"\u003c!-- more --\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eConversion plates can be used to adapt AO-8 \/ AO-8T \/ AO-8A adaptive optics units to different camera models.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SBIG","offers":[{"title":"A0-8T\/AO-8A","offer_id":44967713079581,"sku":"DL-51808","price":267.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0-8 for Older Model Camera","offer_id":44967713112349,"sku":"DL-51816","price":267.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/products\/SBIG-AO-8-Conversion-Plate-51816__90828.1600282393.1280.1280.jpg?v=1684345589"}],"url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/en-us\/collections\/adaptive-optics.oembed","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}