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The first system of adaptive
optics, NAOS (Nasmyth Adaptive Optics System),
installed on one of the four 8 meter diameter telescopes of the Very Large
Telescope of the European Southern Observatory, has just obtained its
"first light." This adaptive optics system was developed by
ONERA (the French National Aerospace Research Establishment), which supervised
the project, the "Observatoire de Paris," the "Observatoire
de Grenoble," and the technical division of the CNRS National Institute
for Sciences of the Universe. The system, together with the CONICA infrared
camera, will allow scientists to see more sharply and farther in our galaxy
and beyond.
Adaptive optics makes it possible
to overcome the adverse effects of the atmosphere that degrade the images
provided by terrestrial telescopes. This technique is based on a simple
principle: by controlling a mirror whose surface is deformed only a few
microns by the motors located in its rear face, the distortions of the
light wave are corrected to provide, in real time, the optimum image of
the observed object. Continuous analysis of the aberrations of the incident
wave front is used to control the deformations of the mirror.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) wanted to equip one of the four
giant telescopes of the VLT with an adaptive optics system. It chose ONERA,
recognized worldwide for its excellence in optics and optronics, to lead
the project, along with its partners: the “Institut National des
Sciences de l’Univers” (INSU, the CNRS National Institute for
Sciences of the Universe and its technical division); the "Observatoire
de Paris," and the Grenoble "Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers"
(Observatory of Sciences of the Universe). Beyond its leadership role
in the project, ONERA has designed certain key elements, such as the software
for the control system. The observatories contributed their know-how in
optics, mechanics, electronics and detectors. They also set out the scientific
specifications and were responsible for dimensioning and calibrating the
system. All the partners have acquired experience from other adaptive
optics and space projects. NAOS was born
of this collaboration, in line with cost and deadline specifications.
NAOS has delivered its "first light"
collected by the VLT to CONICA, an infrared camera developed by teams
from the Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg and Garching (Germany). The
high angular resolution performance will increase the detection power
of CONICA tenfold and enable it to reach previously unattainable scientific
objectives in our solar system, our galaxy and beyond.
ESO: http://www.hq.eso.org/
Observatoire de Paris: http://www.obspm.fr/despa/astro/naos.html
Observatoire de Grenoble: http://osug.obs.ujf-grenoble.fr/
Researcher
contacts:
Daniel Rouan
Observatoire de Paris
Tel: + 33 1 45 07 77 15
E-mail: daniel.rouan@obspm.fr
Pascal Puget
LAOG, Grenoble
Tel: + 33 4 76 63 57 28
E-mail: pascal.Puget@obs.ujf-grenoble.fr
CNRS-INSU contact:
Philippe CHAUVIN
Tel: + 33 1 44 96 43 36
E- mail: Philippe.Chauvin@cnrs-dir.fr
CNRS Press
contact :
Martine Hasler
Tel : +33 1 44 96 46 35
E-mail : martine.hasler@cnrs-dir.fr
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