ATM Adaptive optics, longish

[GregJ888@aol.com]

Well the rain here in the Pacific finally got the better of me.  My wife and 
I spent last week in Hawaii collecting high energy photons and  interference 
testing Mia-Ties.  Along the way I got to spend about an hour and a half in 
the Adaptive Optics lab a Keck HQ in Waimea.  

First stop in the lab was the Laser Guide star system they are developing.  
WOW, make the corrective system look like child’s play.  A couple of  
Fabry-Perot (sp) filters, cameras, 2-3 spectrometers a modulator or two, more 
cameras and laser(s) of course.  The output of this "small" bench then goes 
to the large optics bench to be amplified and positioned.  For those awaiting 
their own LGS, hope you have real deep pockets.  Actually I felt pretty good, 
followed the whole discussion and understood most of it <G>.

Next stop was a look at the wave front sensor, corrector table for Keck 2.  
The table is in the assembly phase and in a clean room.  We did not go into 
the clean room but could see pretty much every thing through the glass walls. 
 Of note, the optics bench is as large as many amateur observatories and the  
auxiliary optics are almost as large as my primary (20", .5m).  Supporting an 
Alt-Az scope and LGS each add significantly to the AO system’s complexity.   
I ask for a figure of merit number for Ro-- @ the Keck they said about 25cm, 
at Mt Wilson (well one of the Calf observatories, think is was MT. W.) about 
5cm (ie. 2in!). 

Last stop was a conference room where I got to "present" my VERY HUMBLE 
project.  Those in attendance were very polite and had several suggestions 
which I hope to implement, if  I can figure out what an atmospheric 
Dispersion Corrector is…

All in all a great and hospitable visit.  Special thanks to the Keck AO staff.

Amateur AO Project status— Been a while so thought I should get some info out.
   
Telescope-  Optics polished and just started figuring.  Primary has about ¼ 
of it’s correction  (4 waves out with Foucault and 10 with TEX).  Most of the 
parts for the OTA are done.  Need to build the base,  fork and drive system.

AO bench is assembled minus calibration stage and guide star mask and science 
camera, first attempt at a bimorph mirror is together.  Waiting on the 
arrival of an optical  flat to interference test the bimorph.  HV amps are 
designed, parts on hand and need to be wired.  Software not yet started.

Web site— Hopefully by the end of May (if I commit to it, maybe I’ll get it 
done).



Greg Jones