Development of an Infrared Optimized Adaptive Optics System for the Baade 6.5m Telescope

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

The project will duplicate the highly successful Multiple Mirror Telescope chopping/adaptive optics membrane deformable secondary mirror for the Magellan I telescope, where it will provide a new and versatile f/15 Cassegrain focal station. Its first use will be as the basis for a thermal infrared chopping/tip-tilt imaging system producing diffraction-limited, high-Strehl (>70%) mid-infrared (5-25 micron) astronomy. The system will uniquely allow deep nulling interferometry, nearly full-sky tip-tilt guiding, and nodding/chopping in the southern hemisphere. After the successful deployment of this secondary we will quickly upgrade its wavefront sensor to allow high speed high-resolution 0.8-5 micron adaptive optics science.