The ESO NTT (New Technology Telescope): The First Active Optics Telescope

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Abstract
The idea of a "New Technology Telescope" was born in 1979. At this time, however, the only significant new technology feature envisaged was an Alt-Az mount. By 1982 the design concept had evolved much further to include not only the major new technology feature of active optics but also a new building concept derived from the experience of the MMT building. In this year, Switzerland and Italy entered ESO enabling the financing of the NTT project with DM 24 million. It was thereby defined as a telescope of 3.5 m aperture, exploiting the most advanced technology to achieve at the same time not only much reduced costs compared with the conventional ESO 3,6 m telescope but also an optical performance pushed to such limits that even the best conceivable seeing could always be fully exploited.

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