Deconvolving solar images using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor

Abstract

Deconvolution from wavefront sensing (DWFS) is an image reconstruction technique that can be used as an alternative to phase diversity or speckle reconstruction techniques for observations of extended objects. A correlating Shack- Hartmann wavefront sensor was used to measure the instantaneous wavefront. The wavefront information was then used to deconvolve simultaneously taken solar images. The main objective of this experiment was to validate the correlating Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor approach for solar adaptive optics. Several series of short exposure images and simultaneous wavefront sensor data were collected at the Vacuum Tower Telescope at Sacramento Peak. We produced a series of reconstructions of solar features, including granulation, pores and sunspots. We show that consistent result can be achieved using DWFS. Reconstructed images of the same object but observed at slightly different times, i.e. different atmospheric realizations, are nearly identical.