A review of published galactic and solar system science: A bright future for adaptive optics science

In this review, the current (Feb. 2000) refereed astronomy journals have been surveyed for all AO papers dealing with galactic or solar system astronomy. In the last 6 years, 61 refereed pure science AO papers in solar system and galactic astronomy were selected. Of these 61 papers, 41% have been published in the last 14 months. The vast majority of these papers (63%) utilize broad-band near infrared imaging (J,H & K'). More complex techniques (L band imaging, AO spectroscopy (2D & 3D), polarimetry, coronography) are becoming robust AO techniques in the IR. Of less current published success is visible AO, due in part from the complex technical issues, and also in part from the stiff competition from HST. As well there appears to have been little AO science in the M band. As the latest generation of 6-10m AO systems (and their facility AO camera/spectrographs) come on-line we should see further robust growth in AO galactic and solar system IR science well into the next decade.