Scientists working with the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy are using the world’s first robotic laser system to explore large areas of space.
The Robo AO system compensates for the image-blurring effects of Earth’s turbulent atmosphere. When attached to a large telescope it allows scientists to capture images that are sharper than ones taken from land based observatories.
The automated technology also allows scientists to gather images quickly improving the chances of discovering planets grouped around distant stars. Christoph Baranec is from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Institute for Astronomy.
Baranec hopes to install the technology onto the eighty-eight inch telescope atop Mauna Kea.
You can see the laser in action HERE
And listen to the scientists talk about it HERE
