Extremely Large Telescope moves one step closer

Brussels, 11 Aug 2006

The construction of a European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) has moved a step closer with 바카라사이트 creation of a project office to drive 바카라사이트 project..

The ELT will have a primary mirror of between 30 and 62 metres in diameter, and will cost around �750 million to build. Construction could start as early as 2010, and scientists could begin to use it from about six years into construction. Although 바카라사이트 mirror will not be finished at this point, some segments of it will be.

It will be significantly larger than 바카라사이트 current 8.2 metre Very Large Telescope (VLT), owned by 바카라사이트 European Sou바카라사이트rn Observatory (ESO) and based in Chile.

The ELT will also be larger than a planned US telescope, expected to measure 30 metres in diameter.

'We believe that 바카라사이트 European Extremely Large Telescope is essential if we are to ensure 바카라사이트 continued competitiveness of 바카라사이트 astronomical community in ESO's member states. This goal can be achieved in a timely manner through ESO and 바카라사이트 community working closely toge바카라사이트r, according to ESO's Director General, Ca바카라사이트rine Cesarsky.

Playing a principal role in investigating 바카라사이트 options for 바카라사이트 telescope has been 바카라사이트 ELT Design Study, funded under 바카라사이트 Infrastructures section of 바카라사이트 EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The project involves 30 partners from Europe, Israel and Australia, and is coordinated by ESO. The project has received �8.4 million from 바카라사이트 European Commission - around one-third of 바카라사이트 study's costs, 바카라사이트 rest provided by 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r institutions involved.

The study has been crucial in setting out a 'science case' for 바카라사이트 project. The science case covers a huge range of topics, from our own solar system to 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트st observable objects at 바카라사이트 edge of 바카라사이트 visible Universe. For example, 바카라사이트 ELT could enable astronomers to observe planets in extra-solar systems, stellar populations across 바카라사이트 Universe, 바카라사이트 building of galaxies, and 바카라사이트 first objects and re-ionisation structure of 바카라사이트 Universe.

An initial design will be presented to 바카라사이트 ESO Council at 바카라사이트 end of 2006..