CaNaPy is an experimental Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics facility designed to demonstrate pre-compensation of a sodium LGS uplink beam, and to investigate wavefront sensing on the pre-compensated LGS using a Pyramid wavefront sensor. CaNaPy was installed at the 1m ESA OGS telescope at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, in autumn 2023. Here we report on the commissioning phase activities followed by the first on-sky results on LGS uplink pre-compensation. CaNaPy is developed at ESO in collaboration with ESA, Durham University, IAC, INAF, and Microgate, with scientific collaborators from ANU and the RICAM institute.
The CaNaPy project pioneers a novel configuration in Visible Wavelength Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics (LGS-AO). Collaboratively established by ESA and ESO, it hosts a 70 W CW 589nm laser, employing upward propagation pre-compensation on sodium LGS via a pyramid wavefront sensor (Py-WFS). Operating at Teide Observatory, its aim is to demonstrate the benefits of pre-compensating the LGS upward propagation path, reducing LGS spot size in the mesosphere. This enhances Sodium optical pumping effects and significantly boosts Py-WFS sensitivity. Early on-sky experiments, using Natural Guide Stars, are underway, comparing results with simulation predictions using PASSATA. These trials mark a critical milestone in advancing visible wavelength LGS-AO, promising better resolution and sensitivity with reduced laser power requirements.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
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.