SBIG AO-8 Adaptative Optics

The AO-8A works with the STF and Aluma series cameras.

The AO-8A requires an off-axis guide camera behind the device. For Aluma cameras this requires either a StarChaser SC-2 or a Remote Guide Head 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.

AO Results

The images below are actual star images showing the effect of image wander corrected at 1 Hz and 10 Hz:

1 Hz Corrections

10 Hz Corrections

And the resulting size of the star image in a long exposure:

1 Hz Corrections

10 Hz Corrections

Other 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:

However, at a 5Hz correction rate, the faster jitter is reduced:

And at a 10 Hz correction rate, significant improvement is seen:

The improvement in stellar profiles can also be seen at corrections above 1 Hz. First by looking at the non-AO guided image:

And comparing the non-AO guided image to the AO guided image there is again significant improvement in the FWHM of the star profile:

Telescope 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.

Specifications

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