Construction of VLT UT2

This recent photo of the second 8.2-m Unit telescope (UT2) shows how it is beginning to look very similar to UT1. After attachment of a dummy mass that "stands in" for the M1 cell and the Zerodur mirror, it will become possible to rotate the telescope structure around both axes. At this moment, the main drives have not yet been connected and auxiliary drives will be used. Most of the cables have been laid and over half of the connections have been made. (Photo obtained on July 17, 1998).