Adaptive optics is a powerful new technique used to sharpen telescope images blurred by the Earth's atmosphere. This authoritative book is the first dedicated to the use of adaptive optics in astronomy. Mainly developed for defence applications, the technique of adaptive optics has only recently been introduced in astronomy. Already it has allowed ground-based telescopes to produce images with sharpness rivalling those from the Hubble Space Telescope. The technique is expected to revolutionise the future of ground-based optical astronomy. Written by an international team of experts who have pioneered the development of the field, this timely volume provides both a rigorous introduction to the technique and a comprehensive review of current and future systems. It is set to become the standard reference for graduate students, researchers and optical engineers in astronomy and other areas of science where adaptive optics is finding exciting new applications.

Part I. Introductory Background: 1. Historical context F. Roddier; 2. Imaging through the atmosphere F. Roddier; Part II. The Design of an Adaptive Optics System: 3. Theoretical aspects F. Roddier; 4. Wave-front compensation devices M. Séchaud; 5. Wave-front sensors G. Rousset; 6. Control techniques P.-Y. Madec; 7. Performance estimation and system modeling M. Northcott; Part III. Adaptive Optics with Natural Guide Stars: 8. The COME-ON/ADONIS systems G. Rousset and J.-L. Beuzit; 9. The UH-CFHT systems F. Roddier and F. Rigaut; 10. Adaptive optics in solar astronomy J. Beckers; Part IV. Adaptive Optics with Laser Beacons: 11. Overview of adaptive optics with laser beacons D. Sandler; 12. The design of laser beacon AO systems D. Sandler; 13. Laser beacon adaptive optics systems D. Sandler; Part V. The Impact of Adaptive Optics in Astronomy: 14. Observing with adaptive optics P. Léna and O. Lai; 15. Astronomical results P. Léna and O. Lai; 16. Future expectations F. Roddier; Index.