The third edition of the International Conference on Adaptive Optics systems for extremely large telescopes took place in Florence on May 2013. These systems make it possible to obtain astronomical images with ground-based telescopes of similar, or in some cases even higher, spatial resolution than that achieved by space-borne telescopes in orbit beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Among the highlights of the Conference: discussion on the status of the systems to be mounted on next-generation telescopes with diameters greater than 30-40 meters

Esposito, Simone

Fini, Luca

Firenze University Press: E-Journals

Il Colle di 
Galileo
© 2013 Firenze University Press Vol. 2, 2, 2013, pp. 53-55
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RAPPORTI DI ATTIVITÀ / ACTIVITY REPORTS
International Conference on 
Adaptive Optics for Extremely 
Large Telescopes III
Palazzo degli Affari, Florence
May 26-31, 2013
Organisers: Simone Esposito, Luca Fini
INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
Abstract. The third edition of the International Conference on Adaptive Optics systems for 
extremely large telescopes took place in Florence on May 2013. These systems make it possi-
ble to obtain astronomical images with ground-based telescopes of similar, or in some cases 
even higher, spatial resolution than that achieved by space-borne telescopes in orbit beyond 
the Earth’s atmosphere. Among the highlights of the Conference: discussion on the status 
of the systems to be mounted on next-generation telescopes with diameters greater than 30-
40 meters.
Keywords. Large Telescopes, Adaptive Optics Systems, High Spatial Resolution
The design and development of the instruments for the largest astronomical tel-
escopes (with mirrors of 4-10 meter diameter) is a rapidly developing field that is 
absorbing a large quantity of human and financial resources. Due to the complex-
ity of the new instruments, it is no longer possible to design and build them in a 
single laboratory, but requires international collaboration by groups with differ-
ent expertise and facilities. This is the case for a variety of instruments, including 
the Integral Field Spectrographs, the Large Field Cameras, and the High Resolu-
tion Cameras. A remarkable example of the need for coordination is represented 
by the design of new instruments for the next generation of optical telescopes 
with diameters larger than 20 meters, the so-called Extremely Large Telescopes 
(ELTs). Here, the consortia consist of more than 10 institutes distributed around 
the world. Once used at maximum capacity, these huge telescopes will help to an-
swer fundamental questions such as “What are the properties of the first stars and 
galaxies that formed in the Universe?”, “Are there other planets similar to Earth”? 
and “Are we alone in the Universe?”.
In order to achieve their specifications, it is recognized that the large telescopes 
have to be equipped with adaptive optics (AO) systems, that is devices that reduce 
or even eliminate the disturbances on the images caused by the passage of radia-
tion through the earth’s atmosphere. The AO field involves a large international 
54 
Simone Esposito, Luca Fini
Simone Esposito, Luca Fini
community that is working hard on the design of the apparatus for the ELTs. The 
need for a coordinated effort was the main reason for promoting the organiza-
tion of a bi-annual meeting on “Adaptive Optics for ELTs”. The first edition took 
place in 2009 in Paris and it was followed in 2011 by the second meeting in Vic-
toria, Canada. The third edition (http://ao4elt3.sciencesconf.org) was organized 
by the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory with the support of the headquarters 
of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) from 26 to 31 May, 2013 at the 
Palazzo degli Affari of Florence, Italy. In spite of the current economic restric-
tions, in particular from NASA, it turned out to be the conference with the larg-
est number of participants of the series (about 250). During the six days of the 
meeting, there were more than 250 contributions, including 20 invited talks, 65 
oral contributions and 165 posters (the proceedings are available at http://ao4elt3.
astro.it/proceedings). A significant feature of the programme was the presence 
of several industries and companies that are actively involved in the high-level 
technology of the AO systems.
The organization of the third meeting came in the wake of recognition of the 
excellent work performed by INAF and the Arcetri Observatory in the field of AO, 
in particular for the FLAO (First Light Adaptive Optics) mounted on the Large 
Binocular Telscope (LBT) and in use since 2010 on Mt. Graham in Arizona (USA). 
The exceptionally high-resolution images obtained with FLAO-LBT represent an 
outstanding improvement for ground-based optical telescopes. These images are 
of similar, or in some cases even higher, angular resolution than those obtained 
in space by the Hubble Space Telescope. This has been made possible through the 
development, led by INAF, of the two key features of the FLAO system: the sec-
ondary adaptive mirrors and the pyramid wavefront sensors. 
In summary, the scientific programme focussed on: the design and scientific 
goals of the adaptive ELTs, the pathfinder projects developed for the 4-10 meter 
class telescopes, and new ideas for future ELTs. Several sessions were devoted to dis-
cussions of the scientific motivations for the three current ELT projects: the Thirty 
Meter Telescope, the Giant Magellan Telescope, and the European-ELT. The ses-
sion attracting the largest turnout was that presenting the results of the AO systems 
currently operating in telescopes of the 4-10 meter class. These include: “GEMS” 
the multi-conjugate system with artificial laser stars mounted on Gemini South 
(USA); “MagAO” the first optical system that will shortly be operating on the Ma-
gellan telescope, derived from the FLAO system on LBT; “GPI” and “Sphere” the 
two planet finders for Gemini South and the Very Large Telescope (ESO).
It is now clear how the development of the secondary adaptive mirrors and the 
wavefront sensors has dictated the design choice for the AO systems of the current 
4-10 meter telescopes and the future ELTs. In conclusion, the investments made by 
INAF and the industrial partners have allowed the Italian astronomical commu-
nity to achieve a leadership in the field of AO that guarantees it a prominent role 
in the development of the instruments for future telescopes of larger dimensions. 
55 
International Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes III
International Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes III
Dr Simone Esposito is the leader of the Adaptive Optics Group of the Arcetri 
Observatory. The group has developed adaptive secondary mirrors and high or-
der correction pyramid sensors for several international projects and telescopes, 
such as LBT, VLT, Magellan, GMT and E-ELT. He is currently the PI of the LBT 
First Light AO system (FLAO) and led the commissioning campaign of the First 
Light AO systems for LBT in 2010-2013.
The engineer Luca Fini is the coordinator of software development in the Adap-
tive Optics Group of the Arcetri Observatory. His interests include: software engi-
neering, computer networks, high performance computing, data analysis, control 
and real-time systems for astronomical applications.
Fig. 1. Group picture of the participants at the AO4ELT3 Conference. Palazzo degli Affari, May 30, 2013. 



International Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes III

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