The Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille at the Heart of the Astronomical Revolution with the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)
The Extremely Large Telescope, currently under construction in Chile, will be the largest optical telescope ever built. Its ambition? To delve into the early Universe to observe the first galaxies, the first black holes, and the first stars, while also exploring exoplanets and objects in our solar system—pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the cosmos. With a 39-meter primary mirror and instruments of unparalleled precision, the ELT represents an unprecedented technological challenge.
LAM, a key player in the ELT project
LAM plays a central role in this monumental project. Our teams are actively involved in the development and design of two of the ELT’s flagship instruments, directly from our facilities in Marseille:
HARMONI, an integral field spectrograph under the scientific leadership of Benoît Neichel, an astronomer at LAM. This instrument will open new avenues for the study of exoplanets and the analysis of the first galaxies in the Universe.
MOSAIC, a multi-object spectrograph under the scientific leadership of Roser Pello, designed to study galaxy formation—from the faintest stars in the local Universe to the first galaxies in the young Universe, including the assembly of matter over cosmic time.
Cutting-edge technologies developed at LAM
The ELT is more than just a giant telescope; it incorporates innovative technologies, some of which are being developed and tested right here at LAM. These include:
- Adaptive optics, an essential system for correcting atmospheric disturbances and obtaining images of exceptional clarity. LAM is involved in developing innovative wavefront analysis techniques for adaptive optics.
- Instrument integration and testing, a critical phase to ensure their performance once installed on the ELT.
Where Does the ELT Construction Stand?
The construction of the ELT is progressing rapidly. The first technical observations are expected in 2029, marking the beginning of a new era for astronomy. At LAM, we are proud to contribute to this project, which will redefine our understanding of the Universe.
Watch this report, filmed within our laboratory—“ELT: Unprecedented Challenges for the World’s Largest Telescope”—produced by Le Blob, featuring Roser Pello, Vincent Chambouleyron, Mathieu Motte, and Benoît Neichel.
