THEELT, Which stands for Extremely Large Telescope, represents an epochal turning point in the history of astronomy. Located in Chile, this giant of astral observation is preparing to open the doors to new worlds. Its primary mirror will be the largest ever made, an unprecedented window into the universe. But what makes the ELT telescope so special? It is not just his greatness, but his ability to answer questions that have fascinated humanity for centuries. Let's see together how.
A giant among giants
The ELT stands out for its imposing dimensions. As mentioned, its primary mirror (with a diameter of 39 meters) far surpasses those of existing telescopes. This feature is not just an engineering feat, but is critical for increasing light collection, allowing astronomers to observe extremely distant and faint objects. Its light-gathering power will surpass that of all other large telescopes combined, opening new frontiers in understanding the universe.
ELT will allow us to investigate some of the most mysterious and fascinating phenomena in the universe. Its exceptional sensitivity will make it capable of capturing images of the first galaxies ever formed, whose light traveled for 13 billion years before reaching us. These observations could provide crucial clues about the formation of the universe and the nature of dark matter and dark energy, two of the biggest puzzles in modern physics.
Another of the ELT's most exciting goals is the search for life outside our solar system. The ELT will be the first telescope capable of detecting Earth-like exoplanets orbiting other stars in habitable zones, where conditions could be favorable for life. Your high resolution camera, six times more powerful than that of the Space Telescope James Webb, it will provide us with the sharpest images ever obtained of these exoplanets.
Beyond images: spectroscopy
Obviously, to truly understand whether life could exist on these exoplanets it is necessary to go beyond simple images. This is where it comes into play spectroscopy, a technique that allows us to analyze light to study the speed, temperature and chemical composition of celestial objects. The ELT will be equipped with four advanced spectrographs, each the size of a minibus, which disperse light into constituent colours, allowing signs of water, oxygen, methane and carbon dioxide to be detected in the atmospheres of giant exoplanets.
Building the ELT is an unprecedented technological challenge. Its steel dome, about 80 meters high, will be able to rotate 360 degrees on a set of 36 stationary carts. The telescope itself will weigh approximately 6100 tons. Additionally, an innovative laser system, known as a frequency comb, is being developed at Heriot-Watt University which will enable ELT spectrographs to achieve extraordinary precision.
An investment for the future
With a construction cost of 1,45 billion euros, ELT is a significant investment. However, the value of a project like the ELT goes beyond the mere financial cost. Astronomy is a science that unites people across cultural and national borders, offering a unique perspective on our place in the universe. The ELT will not only help us answer fundamental questions about our existence, but will also inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and dreamers. While waiting for the completion of its construction (in 2028), we can only imagine what mysteries of the universe this extraordinary telescope will help us reveal.
