Extremely Large Telescope
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is an astronomical observatory under construction. When completed, it will be the world's largest optical/near-infrared extremely large telescope. Part of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) agency, it is located on top of Cerro Armazones in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
Artist's impression of the ELT
ESO Council meets at ESO headquarters in Garching bei München, Germany, 2012.
ELT construction status in August 2023
Cerro Armazones at night (2010)
Extremely large telescope
An extremely large telescope (ELT) is an astronomical observatory featuring an optical telescope with an aperture for its primary mirror from 20 metres up to 100 metres across, when discussing reflecting telescopes of optical wavelengths including ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near infrared wavelengths. Among many planned capabilities, extremely large telescopes are planned to increase the chance of finding Earth-like planets around other stars. Telescopes for radio wavelengths can be much bigger physically, such as the 300 metres aperture fixed focus radio telescope of the Arecibo Observatory. Freely steerable radio telescopes with diameters up to 100 metres have been in operation since the 1970s.
Image: Latest Rendering of the E ELT
Image: Top view of tmt complex
Image: Giant Magellan Telescope artist's concept
The domes of the ELT, the TMT and the GMT compared to other well-known telescopes