Richard Dekany (Caltech Optical Observatories), A. Bouchez (Caltech Optical Observatories), M. Britton (Caltech Optical Observatories), A. M. Moore (Caltech Optical Observatories), H. Petrie (Caltech Optical Observatories), R. Tripathi (Caltech Optical Observatories), J. Cromer (Caltech Optical Observatories), R. Thicksten (Caltech Optical Observatories), A. Pickles (Caltech Optical Observatories), R. M. Smith (Caltech Optical Observatories) J. Roberts (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), M. Shao (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), M. Troy (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), T. Trinh (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), T. Truong (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), J. Angione (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), E. Kibblewhite (University of Chicago), B. R. Oppenheimer (American Museum of Natural History), S. Hinkley (Columbia University)
Keywords: Adaptive Optics
Abstract:
The top science priorities for the PALM-3000 adaptive optics system are precision photometry and astrometry, and high-contrast observations at both visible and infrared wavelengths. PALM-3000 will build upon its unprecedented 3,675 active deformable mirror actuators and 5.1 meter collecting aperture with auxiliary systems designed to optimize end-product science return. Chief among these are the use of real-time Cn2(h,t) monitoring equipment, already in regular use at Palomar Observatory, and the potential combination of PALM-3000 with a nanometer-level calibration system and a state-of-the-art coronagraphic infrared speckle suppression integral field spectrograph and polarimeter. Using our existing sodium laser guide star as the AO beacon, PALM-3000 is expected to achieve contrast levels of ~ 10-6 at an angular target offset of 1.0 arcsec with SNR = 10 sensitivities down to apparent companion magnitude of mV ~ 24.5 in a 300 second exposure in median seeing conditions.
Date of Conference: September 12-15, 2007
Track: Adaptive Optics