An orange beam that helps astronomersPHOTO NEWS

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After setting up the instrument and after first light in January, the first observing campaign with the "ESO Wendelstein Laser Guide Star Unit", developed by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), has been carried out at the Teide Observatory, Tenerife. The purpose of this laser is to generate an artificial star so that adaptive optics systems can correct, in real time, the distortion in astronomical images produced by atmospheric turbulence. The experiment at the Teide Observatory aims at optimizing the intensity of the laser guide star.

Related press release: http://www.iac.es/divulgacion.php?op1=16&id=913&lang=en

 

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