Observations of Solar Prominences with Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics: Using the Big Bear Solar Observatory as a Testbed for DKIST

传统的自适应光学对小目标是有效的，但往往不能在望远镜的整个视场范围内工作。这意味着太阳望远镜无法利用这一技术，而这些望远镜的目的是解析太阳上可以填满视野的小特征。多共轭自适应光学（MCAO）的发明解决了这一问题。MCAO将成为即将到来的Daniel K. Inouye太阳望远镜（DKIST）的一部分。本文提出的工作是为大熊太阳天文台（BBSO）完成近红外MCAO系统的开发，作为DKIST的原型。该系统将通过在两个不同的活动中对太阳日珥进行观测来测试。从BBSO中吸取的经验教训将为DKIST系统的发展提供蓝图。该团队将完成NIR-MCAO系统测试平台的开发，并将其连接到BBSO？美国古德太阳望远镜（GST）。他们会用澳门赌场的仪器来感受商品及服务税的轻？近红外成像光谱偏振仪（NIRIS）。NIRIS的工作波长在1.0到1.7微米之间。该小组将使用该系统对太阳圆盘进行观测。他们还将使用原型波前传感器对日珥进行观测，以更好地理解当人们试图对日珥进行自适应光学观测(称为？突出AO吗?)这项工作的目标是确定DKIST可能遇到的各种AO制度中的独特问题，并为这些问题提供创新解决方案。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Traditional adaptive optics are effective for small targets but tend not to work as well across the whole field of view of a telescope. This means that solar telescopes, which seek to resolve small features on the Sun that can fill the field of view, have not been able to take advantage of this technology. The innovation of multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) solves this problem. MCAO is to be part of the upcoming Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). The work proposed here is to complete development of an MCAO system in the near-infrared for the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) as a prototype for DKIST. The system will be tested by conducting observations of solar prominences in two different campaigns. Lessons learned from BBSO will provide a blueprint for development of the DKIST system.The team will complete the development of a testbed NIR-MCAO system and connect it to BBSO?s Goode Solar Telescope (GST). They will use the MCAO apparatus to feel light to GST?s Near-Infrared Imaging Spectro-polarimeter (NIRIS). NIRIS operates at wavelengths between 1.0 and 1.7 microns. The team will conduct observations of the solar disk using this system. They will also conduct observations of prominences using a prototype wavefront sensor in an effort to better understand the particular issues that arise when one attempts to conduct adaptive optics observations of prominences (called ?prominence AO?). The objective of this work is to identify unique issues within various AO regimes that DKIST will be likely to encounter, and to innovate solutions for these issues.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.