Instruments And Techniques (Instruments et Techniques)

Abstract

The period covered by this report has seen significant progress in the development of the new generation of telescopes with apertures in the 8 m plus range. The period has encompassed the major construction phase of the 10 m Keck Telescope, witnessed the commissioning of the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) New Technology Telescope and the approval of funding for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT). Significant progress has been achieved in developing the necessary technology for manufacturing and figuring large mirrors. There have been major expansions of activity in the areas of active control of telescope optics and adaptive optics, and in high angular resolution interferometry with several new groups entering both fields. The use of optical fibers, particularly in the area of multiple-object spectroscopy, has continued to grow. Several telescopes can now be operated remotely and the control systems of new telescopes are being designed to facilitate remote operation.