Adaptive Optics in telescopes

[DonAVP]

Thought you all might like to read about this technology. I live about 10 miles from the Livermore Lab and worked there 10 years ago. Right after I left (layed off). This project was starting up. I was given the opportunity to visit the first night experiment of the guide star at the lab. They created a pseudo star with a laser in the ionosphere. Next they looked at it with another telescope and used that data to change the shape of the mirror of a second telescope that correct atmospheric distortion.

The technology has progressed and it is use today at several locations around the world.

http://www.llnl.gov/str/June06/Olivier.html