Optical Systems

Abstract

FEHRENBACH : It's a great honour for me to be the chairman of the first session of the IAU's 27th Symposium, on The Construction of Large Telescopes. In such high circles of astronomical research here in the western states, we, as Europeans, are extremely satisfied to have the opportunity to compare our methods with yours. Personally, this is the third time I have visited Tucson and the Kitt Peak National Observatory, and I am still impressed by the important means the American people have at their disposal. In Europe, unfortunately, we do not yet have such material facilities, and this is why we are particularly happy to be here; we feel that the mutual exchange of views and information between the representatives of the different groups all over the world will be highly beneficial, especially for us who are presently involved in the construction of large telescopes.