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Prototype deformable mirror

The prototype deformable mirror above is made of an etched silicon microelectromechanical system which has 1,024 actuators that adjust the shape of the mirror hundreds of times per second. This enables astronomers to correct for air turbulence and atmospheric disturbances which limit the ability of telescopes to see detail.

 

See Blatherings for more details.

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Uploaded on November 26, 2006