Final design stage of Extremely Large Telescope in sight
The construction of the World's largest telescope is one step closer to reality, with the recent decision by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) to go ahead with its final study phase. With a budget of €57 million, the study will detail the design of the flagship facility, dubbed the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), making it possible to start construction in less than three years time. According to the present concept, the telescope will feature a primary mirror of 42m in diameter, which is said to be four times larger than any other currently in existence. In order to overcome the fuzziness of stellar images due to atmospheric turbulence, four additional mirrors will be incorporated into the optics of the telescope. ESO estimates that the facility will cost €800 million and take around 10 years to build. 'At the end of the three year Final Design Study, we will know exactly how everything is going to be built, including a detailed costing,' said Catherine Cesarsky, ESO's Director General. 'We then hope to start construction and have it ready by 2017, when we can install instruments and use it.' Over the last year, ESO has been working closely with the European astronomy and astrophysicist community to define the E-ELT concept and evaluate its performance, cost and risk. Earlier conceptual studies, such as ESO OWL And EURO-50, were also undertaken, as well as research and development projects funded under the EU'S Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) 'A telescope of this size could not be built without a complete rethinking of the way we make telescopes,' said Ms Cesarsky. Although the site of the E-ELT is not yet fixed, ESO says that a decision will be made by 2008.