Explanation: From the Earth's surface, Neptune usually appears as a fuzzy blotch. The blurring effects of the Earth's atmosphere deny clearer images. By distorting mirrors in the telescope itself in time with the changing atmosphere, however, these effects can be greatly reduced. Many of the world's largest telescopes are now implementing these "rubber mirror" adaptive optics (AO) systems to bring out the finest details that these telescopes can resolve. Recently the 10-meter Keck II telescope in Hawaii came on-line with AO capability. The above image of Neptune in three infrared colors demonstrates the clarity of the new technique - as compared to an image of Neptune from Keck II without AO.

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Publikacii s klyuchevymi slovami: Neptune - adaptive optics - adaptivnaya optika - Neptun Publikacii so slovami: Neptune - adaptive optics - adaptivnaya optika - Neptun
Sm. takzhe: Okruzhennyi kol'cami ledyanoi gigant Neptun Polumesyacy Neptuna i Tritona Luchi lazerov pomogayut uspokoit' atmosferu Lazer b'et v centr Galaktiki Ataka lazernoi opornoi zvezdy Tumannost' s lazernymi luchami Kogda Mars vstrechaetsya s Neptunom Vse publikacii na tu zhe temu >>