We present here a new approach to estimate the astronomical seeing which is a fundamental parameter in high angular resolution, in adaptive optics and site testing. Based on this approach, we developed seeing monitor, called Interferential Seeing Monitor (hereafter ISM). The principle of the ISM is based on the study of the diffraction-interference pattern produced by a Young's double-slit in a telescope focus. From the shape of that pattern, we determine the phase difference between the diffracted light rays that meet on the image plane. Then, the phase structure function is calculated which leads to the seeing value.

Date Published: 28 July 2008
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, 70134I (28 July 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.786684

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7013:
Optical and Infrared Interferometry
Markus Schöller; William C. Danchi; Françoise Delplancke, Editor(s)