The World's Largest Optical Telescope Takes Shape | ESO's ELT in Chile

The World's Largest Optical Telescope Takes Shape | ESO's ELT in Chile

This drone footage shows the European Southern Observatory's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) taking shape in the Chilean Atacama Desert. We can see the insulating cladding being used to dress the dome and the white lattice structure at the center—now almost complete—that will support the ELT’s 39-meter primary mirror. Around the 1:30 mark, we can also see two arc-shaped tracks, currently protected with tan wooden plates, bracketing the white lattice. These tracks will allow the telescope to move in altitude. The grey beams at opposite sides of the lattice, seen more clearly at the 2:15 mark, will support the so-called Nasmyth platforms—two tennis-court-sized areas where the scientific instruments will rest.

The current largest optical telescopes have diameters of up to ten meters, and the ELT's diameter will thus be four times greater. 

Altitude: 3046 meters

Planned year of technical first light: 2027

Learn more about the European Southern Observatory's ELT at: https://elt.eso.org

Video Credit: G. Hüdepohl/ESO

Acknowledgement: CIMOLAI

Duration: 4 minutes

Release Date: July 1, 2024

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