Laser guide stars in action

This image shows three of the four Unit Telescopes that together make up ESO's Very Large Telescope. One of the Unit Telescope is seen here shooting laser guide stars up into the sky to produce four artificial stars. These artificial stars allow astronomers to constantly measure the turbulence in the atmosphere, and adjust the mirrors inside the telescope to counteract this turbulence. This technique is called adaptive optics.

Credit:

ESO/P. Horálek

About the Image

Id:2017_11_18_upr_IMG_3321-laser-ok-CC
Type:Photographic
Release date:21 February 2018, 11:24
Size:5472 x 3648 px

About the Object

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

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