Bibcode
Cagigal, M. P.; Valle, P. J.; Cagigas, M. A.; Villó-Pérez, Isidro; Colodro-Conde, Carlos; Ginski, C.; Mugrauer, M.; Seeliger, M.
Bibliographical reference
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 464, Issue 1, p.680-687
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1
2017
Citations
4
Refereed citations
4
Description
The covariance of ground-based lucky images is a robust and easy-to-use
algorithm that allows us to detect faint companions surrounding a host
star. In this paper, we analyse the relevance of the number of processed
frames, the frames' quality, the atmosphere conditions and the detection
noise on the companion detectability. This analysis has been carried out
using both experimental and computer-simulated imaging data. Although
the technique allows us the detection of faint companions, the camera
detection noise and the use of a limited number of frames reduce the
minimum detectable companion intensity to around 1000 times fainter than
that of the host star when placed at an angular distance corresponding
to the few first Airy rings. The reachable contrast could be even larger
when detecting companions with the assistance of an adaptive optics
system.