The resulting task groups have been very active since then, involving a number of participants from outside NSO as well. The science task group in particular has concentrated its efforts on defining the scientific targets for the facility, deriving from those targets the required parameters for the telescope.
Adaptive optics is a major capability requirement for any future large solar telescope.
Sac Peak Vacuum Tower Telescope active optics system, which is able to correct the remaining telescope optics aberrations. It demonstrates our ability to do wavefront sensing on the extended, low-contrast object that is the solar image. In a joint program, the NSO and the USAF team at Sac Peak have embarked on a high-priority program to build a 20 Zernike adaptive optics system at the VTT in the next two to three years. We don't expect a new start until FY 1998.