VLT Active Optics distorted images

This image shows, by means of computer simulations, distorted stellar images with the form of the letters "V", "L" and "T", produced by the VLT active optics system by a complex distortion of the primary mirror and shifting the secondary mirror to a suitable position along the optical axis. The simulated and real patterns are very similar, demonstrating that the VLT Active Optics System is completely understood. ESO Press Video eso9940 shows another real sequence, now in a sky field with several stars: the VLT writes its name in the sky!