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Giant Desert Eye Hunts for Alien Life
19 Feb
Summary
- Massive earthquake-proof telescope nearing completion in Chile's desert.
- Largest optical/infrared telescope will analyze exoplanet atmospheres.
- First scientific observations are expected by the end of 2028.
In the barren landscape of Chile's Atacama Desert, a colossal telescope known as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is nearing its final stages of construction. This earthquake-proof marvel is set to become the world's largest optical and infrared telescope, dwarfing existing instruments with its unprecedented 128-foot mirror.
The ELT's primary mirror, composed of nearly 800 individual segments, will offer unparalleled clarity. Its construction is a testament to scientific ambition, designed to withstand harsh conditions and provide the sharpest images ever captured from Earth.
With first scientific observations anticipated by the end of 2028, the ELT is expected to transform our understanding of the universe. A key focus will be analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for signs of habitability, potentially answering humanity's oldest question: are we alone?
The €1.45 billion project places Chile at the forefront of global astronomy. Advanced technologies, including lasers and adaptive optics, will compensate for atmospheric distortions, yielding images 16 times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope.
