Next: Introduction
Scientific Results from Deconvolved Images
William C. Keel
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Alabama,
Box 870324, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Abstract:
I review various regimes in which deconvolution is and is not the
technique of choice for analysis of HST images. The difficulty of
getting adequately deconvolved images depends largely on
required angular field, attainable signal-to-noise, and the
dynamic range of the target; this last factor limits many
interesting investigations in the presence of spherical aberration,
exacerbating noise amplification and uncertain knowledge of the
point-spread function. Photometric validation issues are also important;
real data are used to show how well completely different approaches agree
on the intensity profiles of faint galaxies.
Some examples of scientific results in the realm of galaxy structure and
evolution are given, which have required deconvolved data. Some highlight
are disk structures near galactic nuclei, fine structure in synchrotron
jets, morphological evolution of medium- and high-redshift galaxies,
and significant galaxy merging at moderate redshifts. An additional
set of results has been greatly aided by deconvolution, including
study of concentrated cores in galaxies and structural parameters
of faint galaxies.
Keywords:
Deconvolution, galaxies, data manipulation, spin control