Extremely Large Telescope

Construction on the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) is scheduled to begin in 2012. The E-ELT will be built at Cerro Armazones in northern Chile and will have a primary mirror that is almost 40 meters across.

The European Extremely Large Telescope – [eso.org]

Extremely Large Telescopes are considered worldwide as one of the highest priorities in ground-based astronomy. They will vastly advance astrophysical knowledge, allowing detailed studies of subjects including planets around other stars, the first objects in the Universe, super-massive black holes, and the nature and distribution of the dark matter and dark energy which dominate the Universe.

Since the end of 2005 ESO has been working together with its user community of European astronomers and astrophysicists to define the new giant telescope needed by the middle of the next decade. More than 100 astronomers from all European countries have been involved throughout 2006, helping the ESO Project Offices to produce a novel concept, in which performance, cost, schedule and risk were carefully evaluated.

Dubbed E-ELT for European Extremely Large Telescope, this revolutionary new ground-based telescope concept will have a 40-metre-class main mirror and will be the largest optical/near-infrared telescope in the world: “the world’s biggest eye on the sky”.

European 40 Meter Telescope – Official Trailer – [youtube.com]

Full-size Mock-up of World’s Largest Telescope Mirror Built at ESO’s Open House Day – [youtube.com]