Title:	SUPER-RESOLUTION IMAGING: THE USE CASE OF OPTICAL ASTRONOMY
Author(s):	Thilo Bauer
ISBN:	978-972-8939-48-9
Editors:	Yingcai Xiao
Year:	2011
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Super-resolution, image reconstruction, astronomy
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	49
Last Page:	59
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Super-resolution is well known to increase the resolution of images below the pixel barrier. The work outlines the use case of super-resolution in astronomy science. The current state-of-the-art of high-resolution imaging in astronomy is reviewed, which leads to the problem of super-resolved images. Fundamental properties of astronomical images are demonstrated to define requirements. Astronomical images suffer from low illumination and noise. The range of spatial resolution is found from long-exposure image limited due to atmospheric blur, and a scale of perfect sampling adapted to diffraction-limited observations. Astronomical imaging is a trade-off between resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The success of super-resolution is interfered by the quality of data, selection of the method, and a proper definition of the image formation and image reduction pipeline. This work provides a precise definition of the ill-posed and ill-described problem of super-resolution imaging in astronomy. A new method of automatic image registration is presented, which is especially designed for astronomical imagery. Based on the exploration of real astronomical images, the new method provides an accuracy in the order of 0.05 of the pixel dimension. Future milestones are found as the selection of an appropriate method of image deconvolution. With astronomical wide-field imaging, certain optical effects introduce varying point spread and image distortion. These will define the requirements for an appropriate solution to image deconvolution and to complete the task of super-resolution in astronomy.
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