WASHINGTON: A team of Saanich-based astronomers and engineers is designing the heart of a telescope that could see the very edge of the observable universe.
The $1.8-billion Thirty Metre Telescope will be one of the most powerful telescopes in the world when complete, say researchers from NRC Herzberg and the University of Victoria. It’s a multi-national effort, but key to the project is an “adaptive optics” system in its final stages of design on Vancouver Island.
“The technology that goes into that system is absolutely mind-blowing. We’re talking about a system that can take the twinkle out of the stars,” said Luke Simard, the TMT science instruments group leader.
Simard leads developers in 15 facilities across four countries designing and putting together parts for the telescope, which is expected to be operational in 2024.
Although the project has been in the works for a decade, news in April that the federal government had committed $243.5 million over the next 10 years was a relief to those like Simard. It falls short of the $300 million requested, but it means both the adaptive optics system based in Saanich and the construction of the dome in Port Coquitlam should be covered.
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