Active Phasing Experiment (APE) for the ELT
The ELT will have a segmented mirror. For the adaptive optics to work properly and correct the blurring introduced by the atmosphere turbulence, the segments have to be aligned as if their were part of a single large mirror, with a nanometer accuracy (1 millionth of a mm). In order to experiment with the challenges of this alignment, the APE system will be installed on the VLT, mimicking a segmented mirror and its issues. On the image, the completed 61 segment APE mirror is in the Garching laboratory.
Credit:
ESO/H.H.Heyer
About the Image
| Id: | esopia_e-elt-asm-5818 |
| Type: | Photographic |
| Release date: | 3 December 2009, 23:18 |
| Size: | 4368 x 2912 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Atacama Pathfinder Experiment |
| Type: | • Unspecified : Technology : Observatory : Telescope • X - APEX |

