Jul 23 2010
Real-Time Innovations (RTI) announced that its RTI Data Distribution Service has been chosen by European Southern Observatory (ESO) for the Very Large Telescope (VLT).
The VLT, the most sophisticated astronomical observatory, has been employed for many key scientific contributions, such as the first direct optical planet observation beyond our solar system.
The four telescopes of the European Southern Observatory Paranal site
ESO’s initiative in the Adaptive Optics (AO) field contributed for the advancements taking place in observatories nowadays. AO needs exceptionally precise control systems, actuators, and sensors, which change the shape of the 8.2 m mirror present in the telescope.
ESO required a communication infrastructure that aided in updating the AO control system regularly to match the advancements in the field. ESO chose RTI Data Distribution Service, as it could meet the real-time needs of the observatory, in addition to being the most user-friendly and flexible.
The control system of the AO processes massive data, which is required to estimate the inputs for over 1,000 actuators. The real-time AO communication fabric utilizes RTI Distribution Service for data analysis and concentration. Now, the observatory has more plans for the next 42m European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), and the existing VLT. The Data Distribution Service is expected to meet the requirements for the control system of E-ELT too.