O coração do ELT
A Fotografia da Semana de hoje oferece-nos uma visão exclusiva do interior do Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) do ESO. Embora o exterior pareça estar quase pronto para entrar em ação, os trabalhos continuam no interior para concluir a estrutura do telescópio, aqui iluminada pelo Sol que brilha através das gigantescas portas abertas.
Esta estrutura é o coração do ELT e irá albergar os espelhos do telescópio, os quais colectarão a luz e a enviarão para os instrumentos situados nas laterais do telescópio. Na parte inferior da estrutura, podemos ver a célula para o espelho primário. O tubo em cima liga a estrutura do espelho primário ao anel superior — a estrutura em forma de aranha que sustenta a coroa do espelho secundário. Três espelhos adicionais serão ainda colocados numa torre situada no centro do espelho principal, que não vemos aqui. Quando a luz colectada chega a uma das plataformas nas laterais do telescópio, um espelho extra redireciona-a para um dos vários instrumentos científicos que a analisarão.
Com os seus 39 metros de diâmetro, o espelho primário do ELT será o maior jamais construído para um telescópio óptico, fazendo deste telescópio o maior olho do mundo virado para o céu noturno. Consequentemente, os requisitos técnicos são tão extremos quanto o nome do ELT sugere. Tudo neste telescópio é maior do que qualquer outra coisa alguma vez construída, por isso o ELT é o protótipo onde tudo deve funcionar perfeitamente para podermos explorar o Universo da forma mais profunda e nítida alguma vez conseguida.
Créditos:ESO/J. C. Muñoz-Mateos
Sobre a imagem
| Id: | potw2605a |
| Língua: | pt |
| Tipo: | Fotográfico |
| Data de divulgação: | 2 de Fevereiro de 2026 às 06:00 |
| Tamanho: | 4032 x 2816 px |
Sobre o objeto
| Nome: | Extremely Large Telescope |
| Tipo: | Unspecified : Technology : Observatory |
Formatos de imagens
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