From: scerir (scerir@libero.it)
Date: Thu Aug 31 2000 - 13:34:39 MDT
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is funding a feasibility study for a ground-based, fully steerable, 100 m optical telescope christened OWL (Over-Whelmingly Large) for its keen night vision.
The project uses segmented primary and secondary mirrors and integrated active optics.
Recent breakthroughs in optics and mechanical support structures, together with the knowledge gained of active optical control have encouraged astronomers to dream of bigger things. A 100 m telescope would mean major advances.
Imagine measuring the Hubble constant with no local effects. OWL could measure "standard candles", such as Cepheid variables, as far away as the Virgo cluster; supernovae could be seen up to a redshift of 10 and beyond; and with a large light-collecting area, observations of rapidly varying sources become possible and faint objects, such as planets, can be imaged directly. Looking for planetary biospheres?
However, the OWL study is still in an early phase. ESO's activities are currently focused on the completion of the Very Large Telescope and the ALMA project - an array of submillimetre antennae to be installed on Chajnantor in the Chilean Altiplano.
Current estimates suggest that OWL would cost around a thousand million euros. With a construction time of
about 12 years!!!
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