Detection Limits of Thermal-Infrared Observations with Adaptive Optics: I. Observational Data

Ground-based thermal infrared observations face substantial challenges in correcting the predominant background emitted as thermal radiation from the atmosphere and the telescope itself. With the upcoming 40\,m class ELTs, unprecedented sensitivities from ground will be reached, underlining the need...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Sauter, J R, Brandner, W, Heidt, J, Cantalloube, F
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 27.08.2024
Subjects
Adaptive optics
Adaptive systems
Atmospheric correction
Background noise
Data acquisition
Datasets
Ground-based observation
Image acquisition
Infrared radiation
Infrared telescopes
Noise sensitivity
Sensitivity analysis
Shot noise
Telescopes
Thermal imaging
Thermal radiation
Uranus
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Summary:Ground-based thermal infrared observations face substantial challenges in correcting the predominant background emitted as thermal radiation from the atmosphere and the telescope itself. With the upcoming 40\,m class ELTs, unprecedented sensitivities from ground will be reached, underlining the need of even more sophisticated background correction strategies. This study aims to investigate the impact of thermal backgrounds on ground-based observations and identify possible limiting factors in dedicated correction strategies. We evaluate temporal and spatial characteristics of the thermal background in direct imaging data obtained with different telescopes and observation modes. In particular, three distinct datasets, acquired using VLT/NACO and KECK/NIRC2, are analyzed. Our analysis reveals that the observations are not fully photon shot noise limited, but exhibit additional sensitivity losses caused by imperfect background compensation in the different datasets. We identify correlations between background fluctuations and the activity of the adaptive optics system. We hypothesize that the pupil modulation of the adaptive optics mirrors introduces high frequency spatial and temporal fluctuations to the background, which could ultimately constrain the detection limit if they are not compensated adequately.
ISSN:2331-8422