ground-based telescope

Latest about ground-based telescope

An image of a construction site with a large circular scaffolding in the middle of the scene.

The heart of a giant telescope | Space photo of the day for Feb. 9, 2026

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to building the world's largest telescope.

Astronomy
A series of small round buildings at the bottom left of the image with four yellow lasers pointing into the top right of the image over a dark blue night sky.

An industrial project in Chile threatens Earth's darkest sky. 28 leading astronomers signed an open letter urging to move it

By Tereza Pultarova Published

"We might lose the ability to observe about 30% of the faintest galaxies. We are at the point of starting to be able to see details of exoplanet atmospheres, but if the sky gets brighter, we may not be able to see those details anymore."

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Astronomy
A glowing arch of the Milky Way galaxy can be seen in a red and orange and green night sky over three large towering buildings.

The Milky Way arcs over the Very Large Telescope | Space photo of the day for Nov. 5, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

Under the untouched darkness of Chile's Atacama Desert, the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope stands beneath an arching Milky Way.

Astronomy
Gray clouds and a dark landscape sandwich a band of bright orange dusky sky during sunset

Halloween colors come to Kitt Peak Observatory | Space photo of the day for Oct. 31, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

For Halloween, our space photo of the day shows a brilliant orange sunset over Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona.

Astronomy
In this long exposure image, a series of rings and streaks in concentric circles fill the colorful blue, orange, and green night sky with a domed roof of an observatory below.

Stars and satellites streak over Gemini North telescope | Space photo of the day for Oct. 17, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

A striking new image from the Gemini North telescope captures the changing face of the night sky, where stars mingle ever more frequently with satellite trails.

Astronomy
A series of large white radio dishes dot the brown desert with some patches of snow while a large purple mountain looms in the background

Deep-space dishes dot the desert | Space photo of the day for Oct. 15, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

Beneath the shadow of Chile's Licancabur volcano, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) peers into the coldest and most distant reaches of the universe.

Astronomy
A long exposure image shows rings of glowing lights inside the dome of an observatory with streaks through the open dome showing the stars

Rubin Observatory spins beneath the stars | Space photo of the day for Oct. 13, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Simonyi Survey Telescope scans the heavens to start its decade-long exploration in the search for dark matter.

Astronomy
A man wearing a white jumpsuit and hair net and white gloves lays on a glass mirror and polishes it.

Polishing a telescope mirror to perfection | Space photo of the day for Oct. 6, 2025

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published

To keep the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at peak performance, ESO engineers carefully recoat its enormous mirrors.

Astronomy
Secondary mirror of ESO's Extremely Large Telescope mold

Hot Stuff! Huge Secondary Mirror Cast for Extremely Large Telescope

By Sarah Lewin Published

Technology
Artist’s Illustration of the European Extremely Large Telescope

Biggest-Ever Telescope Approved for Construction

By Mike Wall Published

Space Exploration
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