Four lasers fire into the atmosphere

At the isolated Very Large Telescope (VLT) at ESO's Paranal Observatory, the arid desert offers near perfect conditions for observations. However, the atmosphere still distorts light from distant objects, and astronomers often use 'reference stars' with known properties to compare and correct images. But if a suitable star isn't available, the VLT now has a perfect solution - simulate one! The new system of four lasers allows astronomers to create artificial reference stars to improve their results.

Credit:

ESO/F. Kamphues

About the Video

Id:fk_vlt_dome_laser02
Release date:27 April 2016, 11:00
Related releases:eso1613
Related announcements:ann16060
Duration:02 s
Frame rate:30 fps

About the Object

Name:Laser Guide Star, Very Large Telescope
Type:Unspecified : Technology : Observatory
Category:Paranal

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