Innovative image analysis software as a technology driver for advances in space telescope design

Kenneth J. Mighell

doi:10.1117/12.672015

15 June 2006 Innovative image analysis software as a technology driver for advances in space telescope design

Kenneth J. Mighell

Proceedings Volume 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 62652T (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672015
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

Innovative image analysis software has the potential to act as a technology driver for advancing the state-of-the- art in the design of space telescopes and space-based instrumentation. Total mission costs can sometimes be significantly reduced by using innovative compact optical designs that create ugly Point Spread Functions. Most traditional astronomical image analysis techniques, like precision stellar photometry and astrometry, were developed for the analysis of ground-based image data and many photometric reduction codes cleverly take full advantage of the blurring caused by the Earth's atmosphere. Image data from space-based cameras, however, is typically characterized by having significant amounts of power at high spatial frequencies. Mission designers have a penchant to approve of optical designs that are undersampled. Although excellent justifications can often be made for using complex optical designs that have ugly Point Spread Functions (e.g., reduced total mission cost) or for using detectors that are too big at a given wavelength (e.g., giving a wider field-of-view), the analysis of resultant image data from these designs is frequently problematical. Reliance upon traditional ground-based image analysis codes may preclude the use of innovative space-based optical designs if such designs are rejected during the design review process for the very practical reason that there is no proven way to accurately analyze the resultant image data. I discuss ongoing research efforts to develop new image analysis algorithms specifically for space-based cameras that may help NASA and ESA to enhance the scientific returns from future astrophysical missions while possibly lowering total mission costs.

Citation Download Citation

Kenneth J. Mighell "Innovative image analysis software as a technology driver for advances in space telescope design", Proc. SPIE 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 62652T (15 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672015

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available