Chile's President Michelle Bachelet and Director General of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Tim de Zeeuw (L) are seen next to a scale model of the world's largest telescope during a ceremony to inaugurate its construction in the desert of Atacama, Chile, May 26, 2017. Sebastian Rodriguez/Courtesy of Chilean Presidency/Handout via Reuters
ATACAMA DESERT, Chile (Reuters) - Construction began in Chile on Friday on the European Extremely Large Telescope, which when completed will be the world's largest optical telescope, some five times larger than the top observing instruments in use today.
The size of the ELT has the potential to transform our understanding of the universe, say its backers, with its main mirror that will measure some 39 meters (43 yards) across.
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