laser guide star system

A laser guide star system helps telescopes see distant celestial objects more clearly by creating an artificial reference point in the Earth's atmosphere. It works by projecting a powerful laser beam upward, which excites sodium atoms high in the atmosphere, causing them to glow like a bright star. This artificial "star" allows adaptive optics systems to measure atmospheric distortions in real time. The telescope then adjusts its optics accordingly, compensating for atmospheric blurring and providing sharper images. This technology enhances the ability of ground-based telescopes to observe faint and distant objects with greater clarity.