The world’s largest optical telescope is being pieced together to life. The first 18 segments of the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope (ESO’s ELT) main mirror, dubbed the M1, have commenced their 10,000-kilometer journey from France to Chile.
Once finished, the ELT will boast a colossal mirror comprising 798 individual hexagonal segments, making it the largest telescope mirror in the world with a diameter of over 39 meters. The complexity of crafting such a mammoth mirror was such that it could not be created as a single piece.
Left: ELT mirror segments, a fragile delivery; Right: ELT mirror segment wrapped for delivery.
The final stage in the production of M1 mirror segments, polishing, was entrusted to Safran Reosc, the world-leading optical systems manufacturer based near Poitiers, central France, according to a press release.
