The hunt for Sirius Ab: Comparison of algorithmic sky and PSF estimation performance in deep coronagraphic thermal-IR high contrast imaging

Joseph D. Long, Jared R. Males, Katie M. Morzinski, Laird M. Close, Frans Snik, Matthew A. Kenworthy, Gilles P.P.L. Otten, John Monnier, Volker Tolls, Alycia Weinberger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite promising astrometric signals, to date there has been no success in direct imaging of a hypothesized third member of the Sirius system. Using the Clio instrument and MagAO adaptive optics system on the Magellan Clay 6.5 m telescope, we have obtained extensive imagery of Sirius through a vector apodizing phase plate (vAPP) coronagraph in a narrowband filter at 3.9 microns. The vAPP coronagraph and MagAO allow us to be sensitive to planets much less massive than the limits set by previous non-detections. However, analysis of these data presents challenges due to the target's brightness and unique characteristics of the instrument. We present a comparison of dimensionality reduction techniques to construct background illumination maps for the whole detector using the areas of the detector that are not dominated by starlight. Additionally, we describe a procedure for sub-pixel alignment of vAPP data using a physical-optics-based model of the coronagraphic PSF.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdaptive Optics Systems VI
EditorsDirk Schmidt, Laura Schreiber, Laird M. Close
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781510619593
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
EventAdaptive Optics Systems VI 2018 - Austin, United States
Duration: Jun 10 2018Jun 15 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10703
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherAdaptive Optics Systems VI 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period6/10/186/15/18

Keywords

  • background subtraction
  • high-contrast imaging
  • thermal infrared

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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