Abstract
In order to function well for astronomical observations, a sodium-layer laser guide star and its accompanying adaptive optics must work together as a system. This paper discusses the operational capabilities which such a system must have in order to take into account changes in guide star height and shape, to block or subtract unwanted Rayleigh-scattered light, to perform nodding (for infra-red observing), and to compensate for natural variations in the sodium-layer density. Safety issues such as eye and fire safety, aircraft avoidance, and spacecraft avoidance are also discussed.
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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Max, C.E. (2000). Laser Guide Star Operational Issues. In: Ageorges, N., Dainty, C. (eds) Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics for Astronomy. NATO ASI Series, vol 551. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9624-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9624-4_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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