active optics

technology

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July 20, 2026

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Active optics is an optical telescopic system used in astronomy to enhance image resolution by correcting distortions in the mirror's material or shape. This technology actively compensates for changes in the telescope's structure caused by gravity and temperature fluctuations, thereby improving image clarity. It is distinct from adaptive optics, which corrects for atmospheric distortions. Optical systems, including telescopes, utilize various components like lenses and mirrors to gather and focus light from distant objects. The effectiveness of a telescope is measured by its light-gathering power, which is directly related to the diameter of its objective lens or mirror, and its resolving power, its ability to distinguish between closely spaced objects.123

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Raymond Neil Wilson
This technique of active optics was first tried on the New Technology Telescope at La Silla, Chile, in 1989 and was later used in 1998 for the four telescopes that make up the Very Large Telescope on Cerro Paranal, Chile.
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This technique of active optics was first tried on the New Technology Telescope at La Silla, Chile, in 1989 and was later used in 1998 for the four telescopes that make up the Very Large Telescope on Cerro Paranal, Chile.
Read More