Title of Talk: Building ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope – a unique adventure

Abstract: Scientists around the world are pushing for the next generation of optical/infrared ground-based telescopes with primary mirror diameters from 25 to 40 meters. Finding and characterizing exo-Earths orbiting solar type stars, some of which may host life, getting close to the physics of black holes, peering into galaxy formation at early stages and many other scientific goals in our understanding of the Universe require such enterprises. ESO has now completed ¾ of the construction of its Extremely Large Telescope, the largest of this new generation with a diameter of over 39 meters, with a first science light planned for the turn of the decade. The challenges brought by this unique adventure range from amazingly demanding technical requirements, the development of new technologies, international cooperation in science, and a huge programmatic effort involving not only ESO’s 63-year old Intergovernmental Organization with hundreds of people working on the project, but the scientific community, R&D institutions and many companies pushing their knowhow to the limit. I will address this multi-faceted challenge which addresses the construction of one of the largest Research Infrastructures on Earth.

Talk and Reception at the Rogel Ballroom, Michigan Union.