Time: October 08, 2025, 13:30
Room: RICAM, SP2 416-1

ABSTRACT:

Adaptive Optics (AO) is nowadays ubiquitous in ground-based astronomical instrumentation. By compensating for the image degradation induced by atmospheric turbulence, AO enables near-diffraction-limited imaging in the near-infrared and visible bands, unlocking the full scientific potential of the largest astronomical facilities.

This technology will reach a new milestone with the first-generation instruments of the ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). In particular, the Multi-AO Imaging Camera for Deep Observations (MICADO) will serve as the ELT’s first-light imager, delivering unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity. A key component of the MICADO data processing strategy is Point Spread Function Reconstruction (PSF-R), which will be essential to meet performance requirements across a wide range of science cases - especially in extragalactic fields, typically located at high galactic latitudes and lacking bright reference stars.

RICAM and INAF, together with international partners, are responsible for the development of this service within the dedicated PSF-R work package. In this talk, I will present the current status and future perspectives of this effort, offering an astronomer’s view on the scientific drivers and technical challenges behind PSF reconstruction for the ELT.