The giant lasers so powerful they can create an artificial STAR: Chilean instrument can cut through
The giant lasers so powerful they can create an artificial STAR: Chilean instrument can cut through the atmosphere to give astronomers a clear view
4LGSF produces four 22-watt laser beams which are each about a foot wide
Beams are shined into sky, causing sodium atoms in atmosphere to glow
This helps telescopes obtain sharper images in Earth's blurred atmosphere
It is now a crucial part of the Very Large Telescope adaptive optics system
By Cheyenne Macdonald For Dailymail.com
Published: 17:43 EST, 27 April 2016 | Updated: 20:10 EST, 27 April 2016
Four powerful laser beams cut through the sky above the Paranal Observatory in Chile on Tuesday, forming massive artificial stars that will light the way for future astronomical research.
The new system creates the most powerful laser guide stars ever used, and makes up a crucial component of the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope.
Guide stars help telescopes to see through the blurring caused by Earths atmosphere, and the revolutionary use of multiple beams aims to improve image quality over a larger field of view.
The Four Laser Guide Star Facility produces four 22-watt laser beams which are each almost a foot wide.
Researchers from around the world collaborated to manufacture its many different elements.
Guide stars like the 4LGSF system are created to look just like real stars.
At this particular facility four massive laser beams are shined into the sky, which causes sodium atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow.
More:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3562451/The-giant-lasers-powerful-create-artificial-STAR-Chilean-instruments-cut-atmosphere-astronomers-clear-view.html#ixzz475w3255z
Science:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/122846834