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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