Lucky Imaging

This video shows one lucky imaging set of observations on Jupiter, taken 8 April 2019, as a timelapse on each pointing of the mosaic (left) used to construct the final full view of Jupiter (right). The power of lucky imaging is clearly shown: some frames are sharp and detailed, while others seem blurred or even unfocused because of changes in Earth’s atmosphere above the telescope. By combining only the sharpest images in each pointing, astronomers can dramatically reduce the adverse effects of Earth’s atmosphere on the quality of the images. Also note that the features on Jupiter noticeably move as each set of images is taken. Astronomers correct for that movement before stitching the clearest images together into a sharp view of the full planet.