Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Two Eyed Telescope

The world's most powerful telescope is now looking into space with both of its eyes wide open. The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) partners have recently announced that it has successfully achieved first binocular light.

The first binocular light images have been released, and show three false-color renditions of the galaxy NGC 2770. The galaxy is 102 million light years from our Milky Way, and has a flat disk of stars and glowing gas.

The telescope is located on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, and cost $120 million to put together. This large optical telescope uses 2 massive 8.4 meter diameter primary mirrors mounted side-by-side. The mirrors, which have a unique honeycomb structure, are working in tandem and will be capable of operating as a single instrument.

Check out the news release video below for a more in depth look:

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