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A spectacular red laser beam is pictured in many photos of Paranal Observatory. How often is this laser guide star used?

April 26, 2017beam guide laser observatory paranal photos pictured red Spectacular star

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A spectacular red laser beam is pictured in many photos of Paranal Observatory. How often is this laser guide star used?

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The laser guide star is part of the VLT´s adaptive optics system and is launched from Yepun (Unit Telescope 4). It is used for adaptive optics when no good reference stars are found in the field of view. Yepun typically observes with the laser guide star for about 25% of the time.