A dazzling new future

In the mid-2020s, the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will become the world's largest mirrored telescope when it finally sees first light with its enormous 39-meter main mirror. On-site construction began in 2014 on top of Cerro Armazones in Chile. The dome required to house this massive telescope will reach 78 meters in height and 85 metres across, with a planned weight of over 5000 tons. While still in its design stage, this 3D rendering shows the planned design of the ELT's dome. The two large sliding doors stretching across the top of the dome will open synchronously at night, allowing the telescope to gaze deeply into our Universe.