ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) tested a new laser on February 14, 2013. The laser will make up a vital part of the Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF), which allows astronomers to correct for most of the disturbances caused by the constant movement of the atmosphere.
{"Image ImageDescription": "Gerhard H\u00fcdepohl, one of the\u00a0ESO Photo Ambassadors, captured this spectacular image of ESO\u2019s Very Large Telescope (VLT) during the testing of a\u00a0new laser for the VLT 14 February 2013. It will be used as a vital part of the\u00a0Laser Guide Star Facility\u00a0(LGSF), which allows astronomers to correct for most of the disturbances caused by the constant movement of the atmosphere in order to create much sharper images. Nevertheless, is hard not to think of it as a futuristic laser cannon being pointed towards some kind of distant space invader. As well as the amazing view of the Milky Way seen over the telescope, there is another feature making this picture even more special. To the right of the centre of the image, just below the Small Magellanic Cloud and almost hidden among the myriad stars seen in the dark Chilean sky, there is a green dot with a faint tail stretching to its left. This is the recently discovered and brighter-than-expected Comet Lemmon, which is currently moving slowly through the southern skies.", "Image Artist": "Gerhard Huedepohl", "Image Copyright": "Gerhard Huedepohl"}