Abstract
The resolution of astronomical images taken from the ground is severely degraded by the atmosphere. One of the simplest methods for overcoming this problem is tip-tilt (TT) correction. This method is especially valuable for small telescopes, as it enables them to reach their diffraction limit. Unfortunately, the method requires a bright guide star to asses the blurring of astronomical images. In this study we show how various factors influence the feasibility of tip-tilt correction in very small telescopes (≤ 1 m). We evaluate the effect of: (1) the intensity of the guide star, (2) seeing conditions, (3) telescope size and (4) sky background. The results are obtained from data simulated using the Random Wave Vector method. The dependencies presented in this paper can be used to predict the sky coverage of small telescopes with TT correction for a wide range of observational conditions.
