Contract signed for final design and construction of largest adaptive mirror unit in the world

ESO has signed a contract with the AdOptica consortium in Italy — ADS International and Microgate, partnered with INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica) as subcontractors — for the final design and construction of the very challenging adaptive unit for the fourth mirror (M4) of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). This mirror system will surpass any adaptive mirror ever made for a telescope and be the largest of its kind.

The contract was signed by representatives of AdOptica and ESO at a ceremony at ESO Headquarters on 19 June 2015. From left to right: Daniele Gallieni (ADS International, AdOptica Consortium), Patrick Geeraert (ESO Director for Administration), Hélène Neuville (Contracts Officer, ESO), Roberto Biasi (Microgate, AdOptica Consortium), Marc Cayrel (ESO), Elise Vernet (ESO), ESO Director General Tim de Zeeuw and Roberto Tamai (ESO E-ELT Programme Manager).