The University of Cambridge is playing a key role in the development of the world’s largest telescope.  The revolutionary European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), which will cost around £900 million to construct, will have a diameter of 39 metres. It will be able to gather 13 times more light than the largest optical telescopes that are currently available and will produce images that are 16 times sharper than those of the Hubble telescope.

Cambridge is working in collaboration with the universities ofOxford and Durhamand the UK Astronomy Centre in Edinburgh, as well as many other prestigious international institutions, to help deliver the project. The initial plans were first approved in 2010, and the University of Cambridgehas been involved in a research capacity since the beginning.

Dr Gerry Gilmore, Professor of Experimental Philosophy at the Cambridge University Institute of Astronomy, chaired the first international study of the project. Commenting on the University’s involvement in the project, he said: “As one of the world’s leading universities [Cambridge] should be playing an important role in leading science…since astronomy is a subject in which Cambridge is excellent, we need to be involved in excellent research projects.”

He added that he is convinced that “this E-ELT project will be a dominant capability in developing our understanding of the nature of our universe, and of our place in it”, [arguing that these were ambitious and fundamental questions that we should be interested in answering.]

The images captured by the E-ELT will vastly improve our astrophysical knowledge by facilitating detailed studies of the beginnings of the universe and of other planets, while at the same time enabling closer analysis of black holes and dark matter.

Initial construction of the telescope, which will be based in Chile, has already begun. Although it may seem strange to build a European telescope in South America, building telescopes high up in the Andes means that they avoid the majority of atmospheric distortion which affects telescopes at lower altitudes, and which would significantly decrease the clarity of the received image.

The UK has pledged £88 million towards the international project, which will be spread out over the course of 10 years. In return, there will be benefits for many British companies, who will be given the opportunity to apply for manufacturing contracts for the component parts of the telescope. The project could provide a boost to the economy, with the potential for the UK to secure a manufacturing order worth £100 million in total.

The E-ELT is a ground-based astronomy project, unlike the space-based Hubble telescope. This means that its total construction and running costs will actually be much smaller.

The University of Cambridge is also looking to fund part of the cost of the telescope. Although no concrete agreement has yet been made, Dr Gilmore has noted that we should be prepared for the fact that financial backing should support intellectual involvement in this project: “Being involved of course involves more than just delivering substantial intellectual contributions. It also involves paying a share.”