The European Southern Observatory has launched a brand new view of the Extraordinarily Giant Telescope (ELT), as its colossal outer dome nears completion at Cerro Armazones in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
What’s it?
Captured in December 2025, the newly launched photograph (it got here out on Feb. 11) reveals how building is progressing on the ELT’s 80-meter-tall (260-foot) protecting dome, which is able to in the future host a 39-m (128-ft) concave main mirror 4 instances bigger than these employed by its predecessors.
The photograph provides us an imposing view of the ELT’s huge motorized doorways, that are within the technique of receiving their outer aluminium cladding. As soon as in place, the outer pores and skin will assist shield the optics from the extreme warmth of the day whereas limiting night-time cooling. Shock absorbers constructed into the bottom of the construction, in the meantime, shall be tasked with safeguarding the telescope from the menace posed by earthquake tremors.
When full, the complete higher part of the colossal dome will rotate on the concrete “pier” beneath, permitting the telescope inside unfettered entry to the pristine darkish skies above, whereas defending the delicate instrumentation inside from the acute desert surroundings past.
When will it’s prepared?
The dome is scheduled to be full someday in 2027, quickly after which the 5 huge mirrors tasked with gathering and directing the sunshine from the deep universe are anticipated to be put in of their new dwelling.
Astronomers are hoping to make their first check observations with the ELT — a milestone known as “first mild” — in early 2029, with the preliminary scientific observations anticipated in December the next 12 months.
The ELT is anticipated to symbolize a major leap ahead in ground-based optical and infrared astronomy, granting scientists the sharpest views of distant cosmic objects ever attained, in search of out unknown Earth-like exoplanets and customarily increasing our understanding of the cosmos.
Try our explainer article to find extra info in regards to the world’s largest telescope!
