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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>The next generation of adaptive optics has arrived at
the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona, providing astronomers with a new
level of image sharpness never before seen. The LBT, with its two 8.4 metre
-mirrors, is the largest single optical telescope in the world.
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Until relatively recently, ground-based telescopes had
to live with wavefront distortion caused by the Earth's atmosphere which
significantly blurred images of distant objects (this is why stars appear to
twinkle to the human eye). While there have been advancements in adaptive optics
technology to correct atmospheric blurring, the LBT's innovative system truly
takes this concept to a whole new level.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>In closed-dome tests beginning May 12 and sky tests
every night since May 25, astronomer Simone Esposito and his INAF team tested
the new device, achieving exceptional results. The LBT's adaptive optics system,
called the First Light Adaptive Optics system (FLAO), immediately outperformed
all other comparable systems, delivering an image quality greater than three
times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope using just one of the LBT's two
8.4 meter mirrors. As soon as the adaptive optics are in place for both mirrors
and their light is combined appropriately, it is expected that the LBT will
achieve image sharpness ten times that of the Hubble.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2>Full article at <A
href="http://www.astronomyreport.com/research/Sharper_than_Hubble.asp">http://www.astronomyreport.com/research/Sharper_than_Hubble.asp</A></FONT></STRONG></DIV></BODY></HTML>