"Planet Finder" on the VLT: context, goals and critical specifications for adaptive optics

D. Mouillet; T. Fusco; A.-M. Lagrange; J.-L. Beuzit

doi:10.1051/eas:2003061

All issues

Volume 8 (2003)

EAS Publications Series, 8 (2003) 193-199

Abstract

Issue		EAS Publications Series Volume 8, 2003 Astronomy with High Contrast Imaging


Page(s)		193 - 199
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/eas:2003061
Published online		28 May 2003

Astronomy with High Contrast Imaging
Claude Aime and Rémi Soummer (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 8 (2003) 193-199

"Planet Finder" on the VLT: context, goals and critical specifications for adaptive optics

D. Mouillet¹, T. Fusco², A.-M. Lagrange³ and J.-L. Beuzit³

¹ Laboratoire d'Astrophysique, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, France
² DOTA, Office National d' Études et Recherches Aérospatiales, France
³ Laboratoire d'Astrophysique, Observatoire de Grenoble, France

Abstract

ESO offers the opportunity to install a new (second generation) instrumentation on 8-m telescopes before 2010, for a wide community. We, as a consortium, argue that it is possible to develop a high contrast imager that will improve significantly or will complement current and forthcoming instruments. This project would benefit a interesting number of astrophysical issues; it will also prepare later more ambitious ground-based imagers or space-based high contrast instruments. The limitations of the turbulence are severe and demand very performant adaptive optics. This critical question is addressed specifically.