Adaptive optics is set to revolutionise the future of astronomy; this is the first book on the subject and is set to become the standard reference.

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. Sechaud
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. Lena and O. Lai
15. Astronomical results P. Lena and O. Lai
16. Future expectations F. Roddier
Index.