Are we alone in this Universe? This is the most fundamental question of space science. Not only scientists, common people also show significant excitement towards the existence of intelligent species in another planet, just like us. Scientists deploy various space instruments and telescopes to find a trace of the extra terrestrial life. Their arsenal is upgraded with another delicate telescope, one of the most powerful ones in this planet, with its 34 feet wide mirror will start spying over the Universe from the mountaintop on one of Spain’s Canary Islands.
Perched on a 7,800 foot peak on the Atlantic island of La Palma, the Great Canary Telescope (GCT) will receive its so called first lights when it will be pointed towards the North Star on Friday night. The Canary Island astrophysics institute said in a press release
The GTC will be able to reach the weakest and most distant celestial objects of the universe. One of its aims is to find planets similar to ours in other solar systems
GCT will have thirty six hexagonal mirrors, of which 12 are already in place, and other 24 will be adjusted during its operation. GCT will be fully operational within one year. A source from the institute found saying
With this (telescope) it will possible to capture the birth of new stars, to study more profoundly the characteristics of the black holes or to decipher the chemical components generated by the Big Bang
A mammoth project was initiated before the telescope was completed. Seven years and $143 million with the continuous labour of one thousand people in 100 companies played a vital role in establishing a telescope of this caliber. GCT is undoubtedly one of the world’s largest telescopes. It contains a 36 foot mirror, which is an example by itself. It is of without any doubt that using this tool in astrophysics will definitely help the physicist to get more focused towards their objective. The entire telescope will be completely operational within one year.
