Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2003
ESO offers the opportunity to install a new (second generation)instrumentation on 8-m telescopes before 2010, for a wide community.We, as a consortium, argue that it is possible to develop a high contrastimager that will improve significantly or will complement current andforthcoming instruments. This project would benefit a interesting numberof astrophysical issues; it will also prepare later more ambitiousground-based imagers or space-based high contrast instruments.The limitations of the turbulence are severe and demand very performantadaptive optics. This critical question is addressed specifically.