The ESO Adaptive Optics Facility

S. Ströbele*, R. Arsenault, R. Bacon, R. Biasi, B. Bonaccini-Calia, M. Downing, R. D. Conzelmann, B. Delabre, R. Donaldson, M. Duchateau, S. Esposito, E. Fedrigo, D. Gallieni, W. K P Hackenberg, N. Hubin, M. Kasper, M. Kissler-Patig, M. Le Louarn, R. McDermid, S. ObertiJ. Paufique, A. Riccardi, R. Stuik, E. Vernet

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Adaptive Optics Facility is a project to convert one VLT-UT into a specialized Adaptive Telescope. The present secondary mirror (M2) will be replaced by a new M2-Unit hosting a 1170 actuators deformable mirror. The 3 focal stations will be equipped with instruments adapted to the new capability of this UT. Two instruments are in development for the 2 Nasmyth foci: Hawk-I with its AO module GRAAL allowing a Ground Layer Adaptive Optics correction and MUSE with GALACSI for GLAO correction and Laser Tomography Adaptive Optics correction. A future instrument still needs to be defined for the Cassegrain focus. Several guide stars are required for the type of adaptive corrections needed and a four Laser Guide Star facility (4LGSF) is being developed in the scope of the AO Facility. Convex mirrors like the VLT M2 represent a major challenge for testing and a substantial effort is dedicated to this. ASSIST, is a test bench that will allow testing of the Deformable Secondary Mirror and both instruments with simulated turbulence. This article describes the Adaptive Optics facility systems composing associated with it.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Adaptive Optics II
Place of PublicationWashington, DC
PublisherSPIE
Pages62720B-1-62720B-12
Number of pages12
Volume6272 I
ISBN (Print)081946337X, 9780819463371
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventAdvances in Adaptive Optics II - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: 24 May 200631 May 2006

Other

OtherAdvances in Adaptive Optics II
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period24/05/0631/05/06

Keywords

  • Capacitive sensor
  • Ground Layer Adaptive Optics
  • Large Deformable Mirror
  • Laser Guide Star
  • Laser Tomography
  • Secondary Mirror
  • Voice Coil

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