Adaptive Optics (MACAO)

MACAO, (Multi-Application Curvature Adaptive Optics) isan ESO in-house developed 60 elements curvature adaptive optics system operating at the Coudé focus of each 8.2-m VLT Unit Telescope.This system corrects the distortions of the light beams from the large telescopes (induced by the atmospheric turbulence) before they are directed towards the common focus at the VLT Interferometer (VLTI).With this high spatial and temporal correcting power, the MACAO-VLTIsystems allows an essential gain in sensitivity resulting in an enormous increase in the efficiency of the VLTI.

More detailed information can be obtained from the MACAO-VLTI web page