Construction of Extremely Large Telescope in Chile Promises New Era in Astronomy
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction atop Cerro Armazones in Chile's Atacama Desert, is set to become the world's largest telescope. With a primary mirror measuring 128 feet across, the ELT will significantly enhance the capabilities of ground-based astronomy. The location in the Atacama Desert is ideal due to its high altitude, dry climate, and minimal light pollution, providing optimal conditions for astronomical observations. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is overseeing the project, which aims to explore distant exoplanets, study the formation of stars and galaxies, and investigate dark matter and dark energy. The ELT is part of a broader effort by ESO to maintain Chile as a global hub for astronomical research, building on the legacy of the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Cerro Paranal.