European Southern Observatory (ESO) | Mirror segments get shiny | ELT Updates @ESOobservatory | Uploaded 6 months ago | Updated 9 hours ago
The first of the ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)’s primary mirror segments have been given a shiny new coating.

Each 1.5 metre segment is coated with just 1.7 grams of highly reflective silver, as well as adhesive and protective layers. Precise sensors are installed to detect misalignments on a nanometer scale once the telescope is fully built. Out of the 798 total segments that will be used to form the telescope, two will be recoated every day to ensure every segment maintains the best reflectivity.

For more details, check the corresponding announcement: eso.org/public/announcements/ann24005

Credits: ESO
Directed by: Angelos Tsaousis
Editing: Angelos Tsaousis
Web and technical support: Gurvan Bazin and Raquel Yumi Shida
Written by: Bárbara Ferreira
Footage and photos: ESO, L. Calçada, M. Nadjar, F. Carrasco
Music: Jon Kennedy – What You Searchin' For

More information and download options: eso.org/public/videos/ann24005a

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