First images from the VLT Survey Telescope 268-megapixel camera

Full-res: here.

via physorg.com

(PhysOrg.com) -- The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) is a state-of-the-art 2.6-meter telescope, with the huge 268-megapixel camera OmegaCAM at its heart, which is designed to map the sky both quickly and with very fine image quality. It is a visible-light telescope that perfectly complements ESO’s VISTA infrared survey telescope.

New images of the Omega Nebula and the globular cluster Omega Centauri demonstrate the VST’s power. This vast region of gas, dust and hot young stars lies in the heart of the Milky Way in the constellation of Sagittarius (The Archer). The VST field of view is so large that the entire nebula, including its fainter outer parts, is captured — and retains its superb sharpness across the entire image.