ELT model mirror segment

The construction of the ELT is only possible with a segmented primary mirror. Scientists at ESO have developed a test bench called Active Phasing Experiment to study a new phasing technology and a new telescope control system. The key subsystem of this experiment is a scaled down Active Segmented Mirror (ASM) composed of sixty-one hexagonal segments of seventeen millimeters side to side (approximately 100 times smaller than of an ELT segment). Each hexagonal mirror can be controlled in piston, tip and tilt. Here you see one of the mirror segments attached to its actuator.