Abstract

Adaptive optics is one of the main features of the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Use of the large telescopes for high spatial resolution imaging, high spectral resolution spectroscopy and astronomical spatial interferometry depends substantially on the availability of adaptive optics, which allows diffraction limited imaging in the near infrared wavelength range (2.2 to 5 microns) and partial correction of atmospheric distortions towards the visible wavelength range.

© 1995 Optical Society of America