On 25 May 2016 at ESO Headquarters in Garching, the contract was signed between ESO and the ACe Consortium, consisting of Astaldi, Cimolai, and their nominated sub-contractor EIE Group, for the construction of the dome and telescope structure of the E-ELT. This is the largest contract ever awarded by ESO and also the largest contract ever in ground-based astronomy. Construction of the dome and telescope structure will now commence. For more information see the public release.

Regarding E-ELT instrumentation, the three first light instruments MICADO (high resolution imager), HARMONI (high resolution integral field spectrograph) and METIS (mid-infrared spectrograph) and the adaptive optics module, MAORY, are progressing well in the Phase B (Preliminary Design) stage. More information will be provided in future issues of the Science Newsletter.

In March 2016 the Phase-A designs for two other instruments also started: ELT-MOS and ELT-HIRES. The MOSAIC Consortium led by CNRS-INSU in France will develop a Phase A design for a Multi-Object Spectrograph (MOS). The instrument will combine high spectral and spatial resolution and will carry out wide-field surveys in the visible and near-infrared parts of the spectrum. The HIRES Consortium led by INAF in Italy will develop the study for a High Resolution Spectrograph, simultaneously operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, to be used for extremely detailed and accurate studies of individual objects. For more information about these two instruments, see the announcement.