Adaptive optics prototype system for IR astronomy II: first observing results

Observational results obtained at a 1.52-m telescope in the near-infrared wavelength range of 1.6-5 micron with the use of an adaptive-optics prototype system are reviewed. The purpose of the experiment is to evaluate the correction performance of adaptive optics under actual turbulence conditions at an astronomical site. The observations demonstrate that the full gain in resolution can be obtained. A significant gain in sensitivity is observed, and it is shown that a considerable improvement in signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved due to the bright maximum of sharpened images in all cases where the signal-to-noise ratio is set by background or detector noise.