Group photo at the signing of the ELT M5 commissioning mirror agreement

Maria Hinfelaar, the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive at Wrexham University, and Xavier Barcons, ESO’s Director General, signed the contract for the production of the ELT’s M5 commissioning mirror. In case of delays in producing M5, this commissioning mirror will be used as the fifth mirror of the ELT’s innovative five-mirror design when the telescope sees first light.

Representatives from Glyndwr Innovations Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wrexham University) and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council were also in attendance, in addition to ESO’s ELT staff and ESO’s directors and administrators. The event took place at ESO's Headquarters in Garching, Germany, with some participants joining remotely from the UK.