Hotel Pacific in Monterey, CA.
January 22 – 26, 2026
Registration now open. Deadline to Register: Dec 1, 2025
Limited capacity – early registration recommended
The Center for Adaptive Optics Science Retreat provides a forum for researchers in the adaptive optics field to share current results and plan future collaborations. It will be held at the Hotel Pacific in Monterey, CA, January 22-26 2026.
The CfAO Retreat this year will center around two parallel tracks with overlapping themes in adaptive optics. This is an excellent opportunity for researchers to exchange ideas and make progress in developing the technology of AO for both astronomy and medical/biological science applications.
Venue Information | Transportation Information
After reviewing the information on these pages:
2026 Session Descriptions
Keck Adaptive Optics Facility and Enabling Technology
Design of an integrated adaptive optics facility for the Keck telescopes is underway. This facility will make use of new technologies, including adaptive secondary mirrors, new laser guide star systems, and integrated wavefront sensing packages. This workshop will allow participants to discuss the driving science as well as development of these technologies, plans for prototyping, and system design.
Medical & Biological Applications of AO
Adaptive optics is an important tool for high resolution imaging of the retina of the eye, and increasingly in microscopy. This first part of this workshop will focus on future needs for wavefront control (e.g. using spatial light modulators) and opportunities for driving down the cost of wavefront sensors in collaboration with the astronomical AO community. The second part of this workshop will discuss the latest technology developments and applications of AO for microscopy, super resolution imaging, vision science, and ophthalmology.
Block Schedule
(detailed schedule coming soon)
Thurs Jan 22 – Arrival and Opening Reception (4pm hotel check-in)
Fri Jan 23 – Retreat sessions begin in the morning
Mon Jan 26 – Morning sessions and departure in the afternoon (11am hotel check-out). 4 nights
Tues Jan 27 – Late departure day option. 5 nights
Registration Costs
| Package | 4-night Total | 5-night Total |
|---|---|---|
| Single Occupancy room: Includes all meeting sessions, select meals | $1250 | $1450 |
| Guest: (non-participating). Staying in room with a registered participant. Includes select meals |
$380 | |
| Shared-lodging, double-occupancy guest room: Includes all meeting sessions, select meals | $800 | $920 |
If you request to be matched with another participant, we will need to assess if possible, and will notify you at a later date. Early registration strongly encouraged.
See meal information on the Venue page
Scientific Organizing Committee
Rebecca Jensen-Clem, UC Santa Cruz, rjensenc@ucsc.edu
Phil Hinz, University of California Observatories, phinz@ucsc.edu
Jessica Lu, UC Berkeley, jlu.astro@berkeley.edu
Mark Chun, Univ. of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, mchun@ifa.hawaii.edu
Michael Fitzgerald, UCLA, mpfitz@ucla.edu
Nicole Putnam, SUNY College of Optometry, nputnam@sunyopt.edu
Robert Zawadzki, UC Davis, rjzawadzki@ucdavis.edu
Steph Sallum, UC Irvine, ssallum@uci.edu
Max Millar-Blanchaer, UC Santa Barbara, maxmb@ucsb.edu
Antonin Bouchez, W. M. Keck Observatory, abouchez@keck.hawaii.edu
University of California Observatories 2025
Please contact CfAO@ucsc.edu with questions or special needs regarding rooming and registration.
For more information about the Resort Amenities, location and directions, please visit the venue’s website. (Do not contact the hotel to book. Reservation will be made on group’s room block).
Past events: