There, engineers and construction workers are presently assembling the structure of the telescope dome at an incredible rate. The European Southern Observatorys Extremely Large Telescope (ESOs ELT) has reached the midway mark in its construction. All other systems needed to complete the ELT, including the control system and the equipment required to put together and commission the telescope, are likewise progressing well in their advancement or production. Building such a large and intricate telescope like the ELT is not complimentary of dangers till its finished and working.
ESO Director General Xavier Barcons states: “The ELT is the biggest of the next generation of ground-based optical and near-infrared telescopes and the one that is most advanced in its building.
This image, taken in late June 2023, reveals a cam image of the building and construction website of ESOs Extremely Large Telescope at Cerro Armazones, in Chiles Atacama Desert. There, engineers and building employees are presently assembling the structure of the telescope dome at a shocking speed. Visibly altering every day, the steel structure will soon obtain the familiar round shape typical of telescope domes. The stellar background is controlled by the core of the Milky Way, our home galaxy, and the Small and big Magellanic clouds, 2 dwarf galaxies that orbit our own. Credit: ESO
The European Southern Observatorys Extremely Large Telescope (ESOs ELT) has actually reached the midway mark in its building. As soon as finished, it will be the worlds biggest telescope for infrared and noticeable light, including a pioneering five-mirror optical design. In spite of challenges presented by the pandemic, development has actually been swift, with completion of the second half of the task anticipated to be significantly quicker. The telescope is set to start clinical operations in 2028.
The European Southern Observatorys Extremely Large Telescope (ESOs ELT) is a revolutionary ground-based telescope that will have a 39-meter main mirror and will be the largest telescope in the world for infrared and noticeable light: the worlds greatest eye on the sky. Building of this technically complex task is advancing at a great rate, with the ELT now exceeding the 50% total milestone.
The telescope is located atop Cerro Armazones in Chiles Atacama Desert, where engineers and building employees are presently putting together the structure of the telescope dome at a staggering speed. Noticeably changing each day, the steel structure will quickly acquire the familiar round shape normal of telescope domes.
This image, taken in late June 2023, shows a drone shot of the construction website of ESOs Extremely Large Telescope at Cerro Armazones, in Chiles Atacama Desert. There, engineers and construction employees are presently putting together the structure of the telescope dome at a shocking speed. Visibly altering each day, the steel structure will soon get the familiar round shape typical of telescope domes. Individuals noticeable at the bottom of the frame offer a sense of scale to the image, showcasing simply how huge the dome of ELT will be. Behind the telescope, we see the shadow of Cerro Armazones, forecasted onto the desert landscape. Credit: ESO
The telescope mirrors and other parts are being developed by business in Europe, where work is likewise advancing well. ESOs ELT will have a pioneering five-mirror optical style, which includes a giant primary mirror (M1) made up of 798 hexagonal segments.
There, engineers and building and construction employees are currently putting together the structure of the telescope dome at an incredible pace. Visibly changing each day, the steel structure will quickly get the familiar round shape common of telescope domes.
All other systems needed to complete the ELT, consisting of the control system and the equipment required to commission the telescope and put together, are also progressing well in their development or production. The technical building that, among other things, will be utilized for storage and finishing of various ELT mirrors is fully erected and fitted out, while a photovoltaic plant that provides sustainable energy to the ELT site began operating last year.
Building and construction of ESOs ELT was kickstarted 9 years ago with a groundbreaking ceremony. The top of Cerro Armazones was flattened in 2014 to enable for area for the giant telescope.
ESOs Extremely Large Telescope is now 50% complete. Credit: ESO
Completing the remaining 50% of the job, nevertheless, is expected to be considerably quicker than constructing the first half of the ELT. Building and construction was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the site closing for several months and production of many of the telescope elements suffering delays. Constructing such a complicated and large telescope like the ELT is not complimentary of dangers until its completed and working.
ESO Director General Xavier Barcons says: “The ELT is the biggest of the next generation of ground-based optical and near-infrared telescopes and the one that is most advanced in its building. Reaching 50% completion is no small task, offered the difficulties fundamental to large, intricate tasks, and it was just possible thanks to the dedication of everyone at ESO, the continued assistance of the ESO Member States and the engagement of our partners in industry and instrument consortia. I am incredibly happy that the ELT has reached this turning point.”
Planned to start scientific observations in 2028, ESOs ELT will tackle astronomical concerns such as: Are we alone in deep space? Are the laws of physics Universal? How did the first stars and galaxies form? It will drastically change what we understand about our Universe and will make us reassess our location in the cosmos.
Notes
The portion completion of the ELT is estimated based upon its earned worth, a job management metric used to evaluate progress on a job that represents schedule and expense. At present, the ELT is 50% through the task plan.