Construction progress of giant observatory recorded
On July 13, 2026, a photograph was released showing the current state of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). The picture conveys a sense of the massive proportions of the facility currently being built in Chile.
The ELT ranks among the most ambitious projects in ground-based astronomy. With a primary mirror measuring 39 meters in diameter, it is set to become the largest optical telescope of its kind and will allow researchers to study distant galaxies and exoplanetary systems.
Significance of the latest advance
The newly published photographic documentation marks a notable step in the construction schedule. Observers note that the visible scale of the structure illustrates the technical execution of the undertaking.
- The ELT is located in the Atacama Desert in Chile
- The primary mirror will consist of 798 individual segments
- Commissioning is planned for the late 2020s
No further specifics on the exact completion status were provided with the image release. The photograph itself serves as a visual confirmation for the public of the ongoing work on the large-scale project.