Aberrations

In space and astronautical engineering, aberrations refer to the deviations or distortions in the images captured by optical systems due to various factors such as the shape of the lens, temperature changes, and gravitational effects. These aberrations can cause blurring, distortion, and loss of resolution in the images, which can affect the accuracy of scientific observations and measurements. There are several types of aberrations, including chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, and distortion. Chromatic aberration occurs when different wavelengths of light are refracted differently, causing color fringing in the image. Spherical aberration occurs when the lens is not perfectly spherical, causing the image to be out of focus. Coma and astigmatism cause distortion and blurring of the image, while distortion causes the image to be stretched or compressed. Aberrations can be corrected using various techniques such as using multiple lenses, using aspherical lenses, and using adaptive optics.