SBIG AO-X ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM

AO Results

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

                 1Hz Corrections                                 10Hz Corrections

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

                                                    1Hz                                                                                                                   10Hz

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 canot correct faster than about once per second.  The 10Hz rate of the AO-X will clearly result in improved resolution under the right conditions.