Download or read book Lighter Side of Adaptive Optics written by Robert K. Tyson and published by SPIE Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Adaptive optics has been under development for well over 40 years. It is an indisputable necessity for all major ground-based astronomical telescopes and is the foundation for laser and wavefront sensor design. 'Lighter Side of Adaptive Optics' is a nontechnical explanation of optics, the atmosphere, and the technology for "untwinkling" the stars. While interweaving a fictional romantic relationship as an analogy to adaptive optics, and inserting satire, humor, and philosophical rants, Tyson makes a difficult scientific topic understandable. The "why" and "how" of adaptive optics has never been more enjoyable.