The VLT’s new deformable secondary mirror

Newly mounted in the “spider” frame at the top of the VLT’s Unit Telescope 4 (Yepun), the new Deformable Secondary Mirror is the largest adaptive optics mirror ever built and the heart of the new adaptive optics system that will enable to the telescope to produce even sharper images. Also visible in this photograph are two of the powerful lasers that make up the Four Laser Guide Star Facility, also part of the adaptive optics system.