Levelling a mountain to build the world's largest optical and infrared telescope
On June 19, 2014, engineers blasted away part of a 3,000-metre peak in Chile. This video documents the critical site preparation for the European Extremely Large Telescope, a project designed to become the world's most powerful optical and infrared observatory.
The construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope reached a significant milestone when workers levelled the summit of Cerro Armazones. By removing a portion of the 3,000-metre peak, the team created the necessary foundation for the massive telescope structure.
This project represents a major step in advancing ground-based astronomy. Once completed, the facility will hold the title of the largest optical and infrared telescope on the planet, significantly expanding our capacity to observe the universe.
