Fried Parameter Analysis of Astronomical Photometry

The physical relationship between atmospheric turbulence and astronomical seeing has been reviewed in detail by Roddier [2] and Coulman [3]. When a plane wave of light with uniform amplitude propagates through a refractive non-uniform medium such as the atmosphere it exhibits amplitude and phase fluctuations. These effects will degrade astronomical image quality and limit the resolution of the point source (star). The measurement of Fried parameter of the Eagle Nebulae has been done at An-Najm Observatory, University of Malaya, using direct imaging technique. The image was captured by a Celestron CGE-14 telescope and a STL-1001E CCD camera (Clear filter) with Normal guided and Active-optical element guided techniques. Statistically, the Fried parameter measured for the Eagle Nebulae using Normal -guided technique was 0.18 +/- 0.13 mm. Use of Active-optical element has improved and increased the Fried parameter of the Eagle Nebulae by up to 11%.