MakarovSuites
English
EnglishDeutschРусскийУкраїнськаFrançaisEspañolItalianoPolski
Contact & licences

Astronomy

Straightening starlight

Increase atmospheric wavefront error, then apply a correcting mirror. Compare the residual wavefront and the estimated peak intensity relative to the ideal image.

By Mykhailo Makarov

Straightening starlight — Actual application image
Actual application image

The model and its limits

Prescribed wavefront modes and a Maréchal small-error Strehl estimate. Large residual errors are outside that approximation; no feedback latency or reconstructed detector image.

Equations used in the module
Equations
σ_res = (1-c)σ; S ≈ exp[-(2πσ_res/λ)²], small residual phase variance

Related experiments

Back to catalogue
Building an image one photon at a time — Actual application image

Astronomy

Building an image one photon at a time

Lengthen an exposure and collect photons from a faint spiral galaxy. Compare signal, sky background and read noise in the signal-to-noise budget.

Galaxy collision — Actual application image

Astronomy

Galaxy collision

Explore a galaxy encounter: tilt the discs, follow a star, and compare opposite rotations. Tidal bridges and tails emerge from test-star trajectories. Optional dark halos and dynamical friction illustrate how the nuclei can coalesce.