Stuart Jefferies

Title: Getting the most out of your large-aperture, ground-based telescope

Abstract: It is well known that to get the best images from a large-aperture, ground-based telescope typically requires the use of both high-order adaptive optics (AO) compensation and advanced imaging methods (including image post processing).  Here I will discuss a number of new imaging techniques based on blind image restoration (i.e. restoration without knowledge of the point spread function) that were developed for Department of Defense Space Situational Awareness studies, but which have direct application for astronomy.  I will show that these techniques can provide high-dynamic range, high-resolution imagery over a wide range of imaging scenarios, including imaging with closed-loop AO, open-loop AO, no AO, and through strong turbulence (so strong you would normally not contemplate acquiring data).  The latter has implications for imaging at visible wavelengths with Keck and the TMT