CERRO ARMAZONES, Chile – Work on the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), one of the most advanced astronomical observatories ever designed, is steadily advancing in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. At 60% completion, the €1.45 billion ($1.51 billion) project by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) aims to unlock mysteries of the universe, from identifying signs of life on exoplanets to observing the earliest stars and galaxies.
Astrophysicist Itziar de Gregorio, ESO’s representative in Chile, emphasized the telescope’s transformative potential. “It will impact nearly all areas of astronomy, helping us understand the formation of the first galaxies and stars while offering unprecedented insight into the atmospheres of exoplanets to search for signs of life,” she said.
The ELT’s primary mirror, a colossal 39.3 meters (130 feet) in diameter, will consist of 798 precision-crafted segments, making it the largest optical-infrared telescope in the world. These segments, currently stored in protective boxes, will eventually form a mirror over 1.5 times the size of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
Situated atop the 3,050-meter (10,000-foot) Cerro Armazones, the observatory benefits from the Atacama Desert’s exceptionally clear skies, considered among the best on Earth for astronomy. Tobias Muller, the telescope’s assembly manager, highlighted the complexity of the project. “It’s a highly intricate system with multiple mirrors of varying complexities,” he explained.
When operational, the ELT will revolutionize astronomical research, providing insights into distant galaxies and offering a new perspective on the possibility of life beyond our solar system. The first scientific observations are anticipated by the end of 2028.