✉news ScienceScience first seen 16 h ago, last 16 h ago, peak #32
Why astronomers make fake stars with huge lasers
Astronomers use powerful lasers to create artificial 'guide stars' in the night sky, helping telescopes correct for the blurring caused by Earth's atmosphere. By shining a laser into the upper atmosphere, observatories can measure atmospheric distortion in real time and sharpen images of distant stars and galaxies. The technique, used at major observatories worldwide, has drawn renewed attention as part of wider coverage of modern telescope technology.
Why now: A BBC explainer on laser guide stars has drawn fresh public interest in how observatories overcome atmospheric distortion.
astronomerslaser guide starsobservatoriesBBC
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