Astronomy Tea Talk

The 60-inch telescope at Palomar Observatory is host to Robo-AO, the first automated laser adaptive optics system in the world. By fully robotizing and sequencing this complex opto-electronic machine, we are able to execute large scale surveys, monitor long-term astrophysical dynamics and characterize newly discovered transients, all at the visible diffraction limit. Robo-AO is now wrapping up a month-long science demonstration in addition to seven other TAC/JPAC programs. A low-noise wide field infrared imager and tip-tilt sensor will be added to the system in mid-2013 to increase the available sky coverage and allow deeper visible imaging using AO sharpened infrared tip-tilt guide sources.

A review of the instrument, capabilities and current science programs will be presented.