Deployment of low-cost replicable laser adaptive optics on 1-3 meter class telescopes

Abstract

Adaptive optics (AO) is now a productive, routine science capability on the nation’s largest apertures, producing over 100 refereed science publications per year. While the greatest resolution and sensitivity gains have been realized with these AO systems, many science programs such as large astronomical surveys, synoptic monitoring, rapid transient characterization, and programs requiring high-angular resolution in the visible, have not yet enjoyed the benefits of national investment in astronomical AO capabilities. Our group is deploying a low-cost, autonomous, integrated laser adaptive optics system and science instrument called CAMERA on the fully robotic 1.5 m telescope at Palomar Observatory. When deployed on sky, CAMERA will serve as an archetype for a new class of affordable AO system deployable on most 1-3 meter telescopes, bringing the benefit of routine high-angular-resolution science to the wide community of moderate-diameter US telescopes.