The UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) has commenced the development of the first device for the advanced telescope known as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).
ELT, a telescope larger than the Colosseum, will be situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The European Southern Observatory (ESO), which also manages the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in the same desert, oversees the construction process. This high location provides ideal dry conditions for conducting astronomical observations, as reported by Interesting Engineering on May 17.
Design of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). (Photo: New Atlas).
The first device of the ELT is the Mid-infrared E-ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS). Recently, METIS passed its final design review and is ready for production. The consortium responsible for METIS includes ten astronomical research institutes, including the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) and Leiden University. According to Gillian Wright, the director, the METIS instrument will ensure that the ELT can observe more accurately in the mid-infrared light, contributing to a transformative understanding of the universe.
Astronomers will use the mid-infrared observations from the instrument to study gas and dust-rich protoplanetary disks. Dust particles often absorb visible light, making mid-infrared imaging essential for investigating these regions. The data may enhance our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. Among other scientific objectives, METIS will study nearby exoplanets, explore the origins of the Solar System, and delve into the galactic core, where supermassive black holes lurk. Notably, the key instrument of the ELT will search for planets suitable for life, as some cooler planets emit light in the mid-infrared range.
ELT is one of the most ambitious scientific and engineering projects in history, aiming to explore the furthest corners of the universe. The ELT will investigate the cosmos using both visible and infrared light. Its 39-meter primary mirror can collect light 100 million times more than the human eye.
ELT will utilize the power of five mirrors to examine the universe in unprecedented detail. Three of the mirrors are curved to explore and photograph the sky from a wide angle. These high-tech mirrors will enable the ground-based ELT to produce images 16 times sharper than those from the Hubble Space Telescope.
With a suite of advanced instruments, the ELT will seek to answer fundamental questions about the universe, such as the existence of Earth-like planets around other stars, signs of life beyond the Solar System, and the rate of cosmic expansion. The 3,000-ton telescope is expected to begin scientific operations in 2028.
