Astronomical seeing, as a research area, focuses on the characterization, modeling, and mitigation of atmospheric turbulence effects on ground-based astronomical observations. It investigates how refractive index fluctuations in the Earth’s atmosphere distort incoming wavefronts, degrading spatial resolution and image stability. Research in this domain encompasses site testing and monitoring of seeing conditions, development of turbulence profiles (e.g., Cn²(h)), and quantitative metrics such as Fried’s parameter (r₀) and coherence time (τ₀). It also underpins the design and optimization of adaptive optics systems, interferometry, and post-processing techniques to restore or approach diffraction-limited performance.
Eyes are on the sky this week as four astronauts get the closest humans have been to the moon for more than 50 years on NASA's Artemis II mission. Join the millions of people looking up while it's on its way and we'll show ...
Astronomy
Apr 6, 2026
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Finding Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars and identifying signs of life such as oxygen or water is a major goal in astronomy and a key interest for the public. Addressing this challenge speaks directly to one of ...
The atmospheres of exoplanets have been a focal point of the field lately, with the James Webb Space Telescope taking a look at as many as it can manage. But time on the world's most powerful space telescope is valuable, ...
Planetary Sciences
Feb 15, 2026
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Last week, four lasers were projected into the sky above the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Paranal site in Chile. The lasers successfully created an "artificial star" that astronomers can use to measure and then correct ...
Astronomy
Nov 10, 2025
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A new systematic study of the atmospheric conditions at the Muztagh Station in western China has revealed the site's unique suitability for optical observations. Researchers from the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory of the ...
Astronomy
Sep 4, 2025
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An international team of astronomers has successfully demonstrated a new technique to observe especially faint black holes by correcting for atmospheric effects on Earth. The technique, called "frequency phase transfer (FPT)," ...
Astronomy
May 21, 2025
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Europe's ESO astrophysics agency said Monday that a giant green energy project billed for Chile's Atacama desert—home to the world's darkest skies—will spoil its view of the stars and threaten its science mission.
Astronomy
Mar 18, 2025
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