What is the primary function of adaptive optics used in ground-based observation?
Actively measure and counteract atmospheric distortions in real-time.
Adaptive optics (AO) represents a sophisticated technology developed to mitigate the debilitating effects of atmospheric turbulence, often referred to as 'seeing.' This system functions by rapidly measuring the distortions caused by the moving air cells above the telescope and then adjusting the shape of the telescope's mirrors hundreds or thousands of times per second. This real-time correction creates a momentary, significantly clearer view of the target, dramatically increasing the achievable resolution for ground-based optical telescopes. However, deploying and maintaining AO systems introduces substantial technological complexity and expense into astronomical observation.
