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Construction begins on world's largest
telescope in Chilean desert
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 [May 27, 2017]
ATACAMA DESERT, Chile (Reuters) -
Construction began in Chile on Friday on the European Extremely Large
Telescope, which when completed will be the world's largest optical
telescope, some five times larger than the top observing instruments in
use today.
The size of the ELT has the potential to transform our understanding of
the universe, say its backers, with its main mirror that will measure
some 39 meters (43 yards) across.
Located on a 3,000 meter-high mountain in the middle of the Atacama
desert, it is due to begin operating in 2024.
Among other capabilities, it will add to and refine astronomers'
burgeoning discoveries of planets orbiting other stars, with the ability
to find more smaller planets, image larger ones, and possibly
characterize their atmospheres, a key step in understanding if life is
present.
"What is being raised here is more than a telescope. Here we see one of
the greatest examples of the possibilities of science," said Chilean
President Michelle Bachelet in a speech to mark the beginning of
construction at the site.
The dry atmosphere of the Atacama provides as near perfect observing
conditions as it is possible to find on Earth, with some 70 percent of
the world's astronomical infrastructure slated to be located in the
region by the 2020s.
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Chile's President Michelle Bachelet and Director General of the
European Southern Observatory (ESO), Tim de Zeeuw walk at the
construction site of the world's largest telescope in the desert of
Atacama, Chile, May 26, 2017. Sebastian Rodriguez/Courtesy of
Chilean Presidency/Handout via Reuters
The ELT is being funded by the European Southern Observatory, an
organization consisting of European and southern hemisphere nations.
Construction costs were not available but the ESO has said
previously that the ELT would cost around 1 billion euros ($1.12
billion) at 2012 prices.
($1 = 0.8949 euros)
(Reporting by Jorge Vega, Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; editing by
Diane Craft)
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