laser guide stars

Laser guide stars are artificial reference points created in the Earth's atmosphere by directing a powerful laser beam upward. They serve as a bright, stable "star" for telescopes to measure and correct for atmospheric turbulence, which can distort images of celestial objects. This technique enhances the clarity of astronomical observations by enabling adaptive optics systems to adjust in real-time, compensating for the Earth's atmospheric effects. Essentially, laser guide stars act as a reliable benchmark that helps ground-based telescopes see distant objects more clearly, improving the quality of astronomical imaging without the need for naturally occurring bright stars nearby.