If you think stargazing from your window is impressive, the world’s largest telescope is out here collecting light that’s traveled for eons.
What Is the Largest Telescope in the World?
The largest telescope in the world is called the Gran Telescopio Canarias. It’s the biggest optical telescope in the world (radio telescopes can be bigger) and is larger than most houses.
Although scientists and astronomers have made progress cracking the mysteries and secrets of the universe, there are still more questions than answers. Besides, who knows how much more is still waiting to be untangled? To pursue their research, astrophysicists rely quite a bit on large telescopes to help them in their studies of the cosmos—that’s why telescopes like the Gran Telescopio Canarias are so important.
When it comes to telescope design and technology, telescopes have improved dramatically since their invention. For example, modern telescopes use adaptive optics to correct atmospheric distortion, which provides sharper images of distant galaxies.
Gran Telescopio Canarias
The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is an invaluable piece of equipment that helps astronomers and other scientists alike further study and understand the universe’s origin, as well as the evolution of stars, galaxies, and planets. To date, more than 1000 papers have been published using data from the GTC.
Located in Spain, on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, the Gran Telescopio Canarias holds the current title of the world’s largest optical telescope. A marvel to behold—no pun intended. It consists of 36 hexagonal segments that make up its huge primary mirror, measuring 10.4 meters or 34.1 feet in diameter. Its design is perfect for collecting and focusing a massive amount of light from distant objects.
Telescope Size Matters
The larger the telescope’s aperture (lens’ diameter), the more light it can capture. This allows you to see more detail on brighter objects and can even see fainter ones, which can provide better image resolution and clarity. So bigger is better (in this situation) as it allows you to see more of the universe.
There Are Other Notable Large Telescopes
Aside from the Gran Telescopio Canarias, there are other large and notable telescopes that currently exist on earth.
The Twin W.M. Keck Observatory on Hawaii Island
Dubbed as the world’s most scientifically productive infrared and optical ground-based telescopes, the twin W.M. Keck Observatory has two large telescopes that operate with nanometer accuracy.
Its primary mirror is 10 meters in diameter, and consists of 36 hexagonal segments, which work together as a single reflective piece. Located on Hawai’i Island, no city lights pollute the night skies, which is perfect for celestial observation most of the year.
Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile
Another observatory that has a large, powerful telescope is the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile. It includes four individual telescopes, with the main mirror measuring 8.2 meters in diameter, and four movable auxiliary telescopes with a diameter of 1.8 meters. These allow astronomers to gather fine details of the universe compared to other large telescopes.
FAST Telescope in China
Nicknamed Tianyan or ‘Sky Eye,’ the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) is the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, located in Guizhou, China. It is constructed in a natural depression landscape with a 500-meter diameter dish. Since it’s a radio telescope, tourists are forbidden to use any radio-emitting devices such as mobile phones within ten kilometers of the telescope. This is because even tiny signals from phones or other devices can mess with the telescope’s ability to pick up the super-faint radio waves from space.
The Next Generation of Giant Telescopes
Technology advances at a rapid rate these days. So it’s no surprise that bigger and more powerful telescopes are underway to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is located in Chile and has a 39.3-meter mirror, the largest optical and infrared telescope ever built. It will gather 15 times more light than the current largest telescope. With this capability, we’ll be able to explore new exoplanetary systems and gain deeper insights into dark matter, by looking at the gravitational effects it has on visible matter.
Chile really is putting in a strong showing when it comes to large and powerful telescopes—it’ll also host the the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). It has a 24.5-meter mirror diameter, which may be 10 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope.
Photo of the Hubble Space Telescope
Space-Based vs. Ground-Based Telescopes: Which Is Better?
Building larger, powerful telescopes is crucial in the pursuit of astronomical discovery. Without it, humanity’s reach into the darkest and farthest portions of the universe is next to impossible. However, the next generation of these optical marvels can help us push for more amazing revelations of the universe. What a wonderful possibility to look forward to. But which is better, Space-Based or Ground-Based telescopes?
Atmospheric Clarity
Space-based telescopes take this round. These optical instruments avoid atmospheric distortion by operating above the Earth’s atmosphere for more detailed and clearer images.
Full-Spectrum Access
Space-based telescopes can detect various wavelengths, especially ultraviolet and infrared, which are usually blocked in the atmosphere. However, with these telescopes, observations of such phenomena are possible.
Larger Mirrors
Though ground-based telescopes are convenient and cheaper and can support very large mirrors, it’s hard to compare to space-based telescopes. Space-based telescopes can provide clearer imaging free from distortion, compared to the ones on Earth—though they are more complex and expensive.
What About Maintenance and Upgrades?
Facilities that maintain ground-based telescopes are much easier to upgrade with the latest technology if the need to repair the telescopes presents itself. This in turn extends the instruments’ operational service and capabilities.
We may not experience it in our lifetime, but it’s such an incredible feeling to know that future generations will enjoy the wonders these powerful telescopes present to them. The best we can do is fascinate in the thought of the images of distant and foreign discoveries. But for now, you can use telescopes for stargazing, and you don’t even need one to see the International Space Station (ISS).
