The 3.5 meter telescope facility is expected to become one of the world's most capable for obtaining ultra-high resolution images at visible wavelengths. Near diffraction limited performance (in the 0.6-1.0 micron wavelength region and to an apparent visual magnitude limit greater than tenth) will be achieved within the next few years through the use of high-order adaptive optics and a sodium wavelength laser beacon. First light with the adaptive optics installed was achieved in September of 1997. View the binary star image taken on the 3.5m telescope with adaptive optics. Much attention has also been directed at minimizing thermally-induced turbulence throughout the 3.5 meter telescope facility. The outstanding example of this effort is a fully collapsible telescope enclosure. The facility is cooled by a closed-cycle water system chilled by ice stored underground, away from the facility. The 3.5 meter telescope is a classical Cassegrainian optical design with a coudé path. Sensors and other auxiliary instrumentation can be mounted at one of two Naysmyth optical breadboards on the telescope itself or in one of several coudé laboratories.
Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base
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