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Supersharp Images from New VLT Adaptive Optics

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Re: Supersharp Images from New VLT Adaptive Optics

#6

Post by mattlondon »

eisstrom wrote: post #5

I'm a PhD student working with data of globular clusters from this instrument for quite some time now. I will be happy to answer your questions!

I'll bite.

In those pictures of neptune, what is the KM-per-pixel were looking at?

Is there a minimum focal length on this? Purely hypothetical: Could we basically see astronaut's footprints on the moon with this? What about looking into the window of the ISS?

Re: Supersharp Images from New VLT Adaptive Optics

#8

Post by appleflaxen »

eisstrom wrote: post #5

I'm a PhD student working with data of globular clusters from this instrument for quite some time now. I will be happy to answer your questions!

the article makes it sound like the approach is so effective that it makes space-based telescopes unnecessary.

is that true? does this mean that we should simply use ground-based 'scopes with adaptive optics?

Re: Supersharp Images from New VLT Adaptive Optics

#9

Post by m-app »

mattlondon wrote: post #6
eisstrom wrote: post #5

I'm a PhD student working with data of globular clusters from this instrument for quite some time now. I will be happy to answer your questions!

I'll bite. In those pictures of neptune, what is the KM-per-pixel were looking at? Is there a minimum focal length on this? Purely hypothetical: Could we basically see astronaut's footprints on the moon with this? What about looking into the window of the ISS?

From the FAQ: http://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/faq/faq-vlt-paranal/#18

> Q: Could the VLT take a picture of the Moon-landing sites?

> A: Yes, but the images would not be detailed enough to show the equipment left behind by the astronauts. Using its adaptive optics system, the VLT has already taken one of the sharpest ever images of the lunar surface as seen from Earth: http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0222/. However, the smallest details visible in this image are still about one hundred metres on the surface of the Moon, while the parts of the lunar modules which are left on the Moon are less than 10 metres in size. A telescope 200 metres in diameter would be needed to show them. [continued]

Re: Supersharp Images from New VLT Adaptive Optics

#10

Post by Jaruzel »

eisstrom wrote: post #5

I'm a PhD student working with data of globular clusters from this instrument for quite some time now. I will be happy to answer your questions!

Are the images natural colour, or have they been 'enhanced' in any way? i.e. is Neptune really that blue?
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