The world’s largest optical/infrared telescope, the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), has been given the initial go-ahead to be built. The new ground-based telescope is due to be completed in 2022 and once ready, it will be able to take direct images of exoplanets orbiting distant stars. Image credit: ESO
The E-ELT will have a 40-meter main mirror and will be cited on Cerro Armazones in northern Chile, close to ESO’s Paranal Observatory.
“This is an excellent outcome and a great day for ESO. We can now move forward on schedule with this giant project,” said the ESO Director General, Tim de Zeeuw.
The comparatively tiny pickup truck parked at the base of the E-ELT on the left of the above image, helps to give a sense of the scale of this massive telescope.
source ESO
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