A striking new image released by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) reveals the sun ascending behind the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently being built in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Captured by photographer Eduardo Garcés on April 12, 2025, the photograph showcases the enormous telescope dome’s silhouette set against a radiant morning sky.
This photo marks a significant achievement in the assembly of the largest optical and infrared telescope on Earth, poised to transform our cosmic knowledge when it activates in 2028.
The Magnitude and Engineering of the ELT
Situated atop Cerro Armazones in Chile, the ELT’s build has arrived at a pivotal stage.
The telescope’s dome is progressively materializing, including the fitting of sliding doors designed to protect the sensitive instruments from the region’s severe conditions.
The dome spans an incredible 305 feet (93 meters) in diameter and towers at 263 feet (80 meters) tall, dominating the arid landscape of the Atacama.
At the heart of the ELT lies its immense 130-foot-wide primary mirror, the largest ever crafted for an optical telescope. Once operational, it will enable high-resolution observations of potentially habitable exoplanets, unveil the birth of early galaxies, and shed light on enigmatic cosmic phenomena such as supermassive black holes and the elusive components of dark matter and dark energy.
Capturing a Momentous Photograph
According to ESO, Eduardo Garcés photographed the sunrise on April 12, highlighting the towering ELT dome amid ongoing construction efforts.
Filmed from Cerro Paranal, home to ESO’s Very Large Telescope, the image highlights the immense scale of the facility, with the dome’s silhouette framed by cranes and construction tools.
This photo chronicles an important stage in the ELT project, coinciding with the recent topping out ceremony (or “Tijerales” in Chile), celebrating the installation of one of the dome’s innovative sliding panels.
Innovative Features of the ELT
Progress continues steadily on assembling the ELT’s colossal 39-meter (128-foot) mirror, promising astronomers unparalleled sharpness and depth for examining remote cosmic targets.
The telescope’s sophisticated dome design incorporates two side sliding doors to shield the instrument from dust, rain, and unwanted light pollution during daylight. At night, these doors retract to allow the telescope to operate under the pristine desert skies.
ESO engineers have developed sealing systems to protect the interior against the harsh desert environment, safeguarding the telescope’s precision equipment.
Opening a New Portal to the Cosmos
When fully operational, the ELT will offer astronomers extraordinarily detailed views of the universe.
Boasting its enormous primary mirror and state-of-the-art technology, the telescope is set to capture images of faint and faraway celestial bodies with unmatched precision.
This capability will enable fresh investigations into the mysteries of the universe’s dark energy and dark matter, deepening our comprehension of cosmic origins and evolution.
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