Jason Melbourne
Center for Adaptive Optics
University of California at Santa Cruz
Abstract:
The Center for Adaptive Optics Treasury Survey (CATS) aims to combine deep HST optical images with Keck adaptive optics (AO) data in the near-infrared to study distant galaxies, AGN, and supernovae. A major goal for the CATS program is to disseminate AO data and observing techniques to the larger astronomical community. In that spirit, I plan to describe some of the basic principles behind adaptive optics systems, provide a framework for planning a successful AO observing run, and present results from our recent Keck Laser AO nights. I will show two results, 1) stellar population synthesis models of distant galaxy sub-structures, and 2) Keck AO observations of a z=1.3 SN, discovered by the Supernova Cosmology Project.