Computing and telescopes at the frontiers of optical astronomy

Advances in computing power are improving astronomical imaging by enabling adaptive-optics technology to mitigate atmospheric and other physical variables. Present-day 3.5- to 10-meter telescopes fitted with adaptive optics see farther and with higher resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope. The continuous evolution of ground-based telescope capabilities could make them suitable for applications previously envisioned only for space-based systems.