China sets sights on biggest telescope

[Forkboy]

SHANGHAI - Astronomers from China and the United States may cooperate on building the world’s largest telescope aimed at providing deeper insight into the very early stages of the universe, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.

The Thirty-Meter-Telescope, conceived and headed by the University of California and the California Institute of Technology, is expected to be completed in 2019, the official Chinese news agency said.

“It is a big undertaking and it will define the future of astronomy and astrophysics for about 60 or 70 years, so it will automatically involve a large international community,’’ said Caltech’s president, Jean-Lou Chameau, in an interview with Xinhua.

Xinhua said the universities are talking to Chinese astronomers and scientists about cooperation on funding and technology, although no final decision has been made.Canada and Japan have signed up for the project, which needs financing of $1 billion.

The telescope, with a mirror about 100 feet in diameter, will have the sharpest view possible of the universe and will pick up images 13 billion light years away. It will be located in Hawaii.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/08/29/china_sets_sights_on_biggest_telescope/

[DavidDvorkin]

1. I don't wanna wait till 2019!

I'm getting old. Hurry up, guys.