Completion of the steel frame brings closer the moment of “first light” in 2028
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has reached a major milestone in the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) — The world's largest telescope for visible and infrared light. The steel frame of the dome was recently completed.
ELT is being built on the Cerro Armazones mountain in the Chilean Atacama Desert and is expected to see its «first light» by 2028. ESO recently released an impressive photograph taken inside the dome on April 3rd. The image captures a «heart» The rest of the night sky of the Milky Way is strewn with brilliant stars.
«Construction — it's hard work», — stated ESO representatives, publishing a new photo.
The 80 meter high and 88 meter wide dome structure is currently being fitted with panels that serve as a protective insulating cladding. Panels consisting of various layers, including thermal insulation and an outer aluminum sheet, will cover the entire surface of the dome.
The telescope will operate at night when the dome opens to scan the sky. During the day, when the dome is closed, the air conditioning will protect the telescope from the extreme conditions of the Atacama Desert.
«This will keep the air temperature inside the dome at the same level as the outside environment, minimizing turbulence that might otherwise blur the images the ELT» will capture. — ESO representatives stated.
The newly released photo also shows a central concrete base, called an azimuthal structure, that will protect the telescope from vibrations. This foundation will provide a stable support for the telescope and its scientific instruments.