New Technology Telescope

E75063

The New Technology Telescope is a pioneering 3.58-meter ESO telescope in Chile that introduced active optics and advanced imaging techniques, significantly influencing modern telescope design.


Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf astronomical observatory telescope
optical telescope
abbreviation NTT
altitude approximately 2400 metres
commissioned 1989
continent South America
country Chile
countryOfOperation Republic of Chile
designGoal demonstrate active optics technology
improve image quality under varying conditions
diameter 3.58 metres
enclosureType innovative compact building with windscreen and co-rotating dome
firstLight 1989
geographicRegion Atacama Desert region
hasMirrorMaterial glass-ceramic
hasTechnology advanced dome ventilation
computer-controlled mirror actuators
real-time wavefront correction
hemisphere Southern Hemisphere
influenced Very Large Telescope
active optics implementation in subsequent ESO telescopes
modern large optical telescope design
introducedTechnology active optics
location La Silla Observatory
mirrorDiameter 3.58 metres
mirrorSupportSystem computer-controlled active support
mountType altazimuth mount
notableFor advanced imaging techniques
being a testbed for technologies later used in the VLT
high image quality through active optics
observatory La Silla Observatory
operator European Southern Observatory
organization ESO
ownedBy European Southern Observatory
pioneeringFeature first major telescope to use active optics as a core design element
primaryMirrorType Ritchey–Chrétien
scientificDiscipline astronomy
astrophysics
scientificUse imaging
spectroscopy
site La Silla
status operational
telescopeApertureClass 3–4 metre class telescope
telescopeType reflecting telescope
wavelengthRange near-infrared
optical


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