European Association for Astronomy Education

Source: ESO Announcement ann 16007

Artist’s impression of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT).
Image credits: ESO/L. Calçada.

At an extraordinary meeting in Garching bei München, Germany on 3 February 2016, ESO’s Finance Committee authorised ESO to enter into final discussions with the winning bidder of the tender process for the design, manufacture, transport, construction, on-site assembly and verification of the Dome and Main Structure of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT).

The discussion between ESO and the ACe Consortium, consisting of Astaldi, Cimolai and the nominated sub-contractorEIE Group will start soon, with the aim of contract signature in May 2016.

This major milestone for the project is the culmination of the extensive and intense work of many people. This contract will be the largest ever approved by ESO and the largest ever placed for a ground-based telescope.

When the contract is signed, ESO will issue a press release with more details, along with extensive information about the design of the dome and telescope structure. No further information about the contract will be available before then. (read more)

Source: ESO Organisation Release eso1225

Artist's impression of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) .
Image credits: ESO/L. Calçada.

ESO is about to build the largest optical/infrared telescope in the world. At its meeting in Garching today, the ESO Council approved the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) Programme, pending confirmation of four so-called ad referendum votes. The E-ELT will start operations early in the next decade.(learn more)

Source:ESO Organisation Release eso1150

The governing body of the European Southern Observatory, the ESO Council, has approved ESO’s budget for 2012. This includes preparatory work on the road to the E-ELT site at Cerro Armazones and the start of development of some very challenging optical components for the telescope. With several ESO Member States now having committed their part of the required additional funding, the final approval for the whole E-ELT programme is expected in mid-2012.(read more)