ELT closeup

June 2009 version of the design of the 40-metre-class Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in its enclosure, currently being planned by ESO (artist’s impression). On the right side of the supporting structure of the telescope the instrument platform for the Nasmyth focus is seen. Instruments weighing in at over 20 tons and with dimensions as large as 16 m on a side can be accommodated at the focus. More than one of these can be present on the platform at any given time.

The design for the ELT shown here was published in 2009 and is preliminary.