An efficient computational approach for multiframe blind deconvolution

Obtaining high resolution images of space objects from ground based telescopes involves using a combination of sophisticated hardware and computational post-processing techniques. An important, and often highly effective, computational post processing tool is multiframe blind deconvolution (MFBD). Mathematically, MFBD is modeled as a nonlinear inverse problem that can be solved using a flexible, variable projection optimization approach. In this paper we consider MFBD problems that are parameterized by a large number of variables. The formulas required for efficient implementation are carefully derived using the spectral decomposition and by exploiting properties of conjugate symmetric vectors. In addition, a new approach is proposed to provide a mathematical decoupling of the optimization problem, leading to a block structure of the Jacobian matrix. An application in astronomical imaging is considered, and numerical experiments illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.