Turn on 'green light' for the world's largest telescope project

The 1 billion euro European European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) project has been turned on to 'green lights' to be operational in the early decade.

>>>Australia, South Africa build super telescopes

At the June 11 meeting of the Executive Council of the Southern Hemisphere Astronomical Observatory (ESO) in Garching, Germany, this project received the support of most ESO member countries.

This will be the world's largest infrared-optical telescope, considered a giant 'eye' to observe the sky.

E-ELT will take photos directly of planets outside the Solar System in "habitable areas" to answer the question: Does life exist outside the Earth?

A large mirror of 39.3m diameter assembled with 800 hexagonal pieces will provide the farthest and most detailed images ever of the universe, at a rate of 12 times faster than the speed of light compared to those of The largest telescope in operation today.

In addition, E-ELT has many other mirrors with a diameter of 8-10m, to be able to observe extremely distant and faint objects.

According to scientist Isobel Hook of Oxford University (UK) participating in this project of ESO, the unique combination of sharp photographic equipment and large collection range will help to observe the details. the most exciting phenomenon in the universe, such as the formation of distant galaxies, the impact of giant black holes on their surroundings, and even the search for existent planets at life outside the Solar System.

At the meeting, representatives of ESO member countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland voted in favor of this project.

Meanwhile, Belgium, Finland, Italy and the UK expressed their support, but are still waiting for approval from the government.

The other four members, Denmark, France, Portugal and Spain, said they would continue to study to be able to approve later. The E-ELT project also has to undergo 4 additional votes.

However, Mr. John Womersley - in charge of the UK Commission on Science and Technology Facilities, affirmed that the results achieved at this meeting are an important step towards the goal of implementing E-ELT project, Although the front is also a long period of waiting for governments to approve and commit to financial contribution.

ESO is a leading intergovernmental organization on astronomy, rated as the most effective in the world. The main task of ESO is to provide advanced research equipment for astronomers.

Under the plan, Brazil will become an ESO member in 2012, and Chile - the country selected to place E-ELT on the 3,060m high Cerro Armazones mountain in the Atacama Desert is also expected to participate.

The total amount of contributions that ESO member countries contribute annually is about 131 million euros. Currently ESO has 730 employees, with "headquarters" located in Garching.