RESTORATION OF ASTRONOMICAL IMAGES BY ITERATIVE BLIND DECONVOLUTION

We have developed a modified version of the Iterative Blind Deconvolut ion (IBD) algorithm of Lane, applicable to different types of astronom ical data. Besides using positivity, convolution, and support constrai nts, we have also applied band-limit, multiple image, and Fourier modu lus constraints. By using all the available image constraining informa tion, we are able to successfully recover object and point spread func tion information from noisy data. The algorithm's performance under co ntrolled conditions using simulated data for a binary source object, a compact multiple quasi-point source object, and an extended object wi th low contrast are demonstrated. The ability of the algorithm to rest ore information beyond the conventional cutoff frequency is also demon strated. Results are presented for infrared speckle imaging of (1) the nearby binary star Gl 914, which resolves the secondary component int o two stars, and (2) the asteroid 4 Vesta. We also present results for ''direct'' imaging data in the form of a visible high-resolution imag e of Capella and an infrared adaptively corrected image of the Galacti c center.