the gran telescopio canarias is a telescope on the top of la palma, in the canary islands. it features a 10.4 m diameter primary mirror, making it the world’s largest single-aperture optical telescope. the parabolic mirror surface consists of 36 individually controlled hexagonal segments, with a maximum gap of 3 mm between segments – an impressive technical feat, considering that just the primary mirror weighs 17 tonnes.
here’s a 360 degree view from inside the telescope dome:
some more impressions below:
the gran telescopio canarias, at roque de los muchachos, la palma, canary islands
inside the gran telescopio canarias – primary and secondary mirrors
inside the gran telescopio canarias
primary mirror construction at the gran telescopio canarias
primary mirror construction at the gran telescopio canarias
the secondary mirror – a hyperbolid beryllium mirro with aluminium coating – at gran telescopio canarias
the gran telescopio canarias from behind, showing the back of the primary mirror construction and looking through to the secondary mirror (lower centre)