The altitude structure of ESO's ELT
ESO's Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) has been appropriately dubbed the "Colosseum of Atacama". Built by the European Southern Observatory, this mega-structure is seen in this picture under construction as of early 2025. The evening's sunlight traverses the ELT's dome, illuminating the altitude structure. This 50-meter-tall feat of engineering will carry all 5 mirrors of the ELT, including the giant M1 mirror on its base. The semicircular plate in the image is part of a hydrostatic frame that supports the altitude structure. It is perforated to allow air to flow from the mirror to the ambient air, preventing temperature differences. The ELT is not only a true Colosseum, but everything has been designed in extreme detail.
Credit:ESO/G. Vecchia
About the Image
Id: | DJI_0391 |
Type: | Photographic |
Release date: | 8 January 2025, 15:28 |
Size: | 5472 x 3078 px |
About the Object
Name: | Extremely Large Telescope |
Type: | Unspecified : Technology : Observatory : Telescope |
Category: | ELT |