This structure is the heart of the ELT and will host the telescope’s mirrors, which will gather the light and send it to the instruments at the sides of the telescope. At the bottom part of the structure, the cell for the main mirror is visible. The tube above connects the main mirror structure with the top ring — the spider structure that holds the secondary mirror crown. Three additional mirrors will be hosted in a tower at the centre of the main mirror, not seen here. Once the light reaches one of the platforms at the side of the telescope, an extra mirror will redirect it to one of the several scientific instruments that will analyse it.
Credit:
ESO/J. C. Muñoz-Mateos
Canada has secured a leading role in the development of the world’s largest optical telescope through an $11.3 million federal grant. This investment ensures Canadian astronomers will have guaranteed access to the European Extremely Large Telescope
The funding, provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), supports Canada’s contribution to the ANDES instrument on the European Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Currently under construction in Chile, the ELT features a 39-metre diameter mirror, making it the first of a new class of “giant telescopes” capable of observing the universe with unprecedented sensitivity.
While Canada is not a member of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), this strategic investment in instrumentation provides a “transformative moment” for domestic astronomy. Project leaders at Université de Montréal and the University of British Columbia noted that with delays affecting other international projects, the Extremely Large Telescope represents the most viable near-term opportunity for Canada to participate in high-level observational astronomy and avoid exclusion from major decade-defining discoveries.
The ANDES instrument
The Canadian team will focus on developing key components for ANDES (ArmazoNes high Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph). This instrument is designed to operate across visible and infrared wavelengths, combining extreme sensitivity with high spectral resolution to tackle fundamental astrophysical questions.
One of the primary goals for ANDES is the direct search for signs of life on Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars. It will be the first instrument capable of detecting molecules such as oxygen, water, methane, and carbon dioxide in the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets. Beyond exoplanetary science, ANDES will provide a deep view into the “cosmic dawn,” allowing researchers to study how the first stars and black holes formed and how chemical elements originated in the early universe.
Leveraging expertise and economic benefits
The selection of the Canadian consortium builds on decades of leadership in astronomical instrumentation, including work on the James Webb Space Telescope and other world-class observatories. By contributing both physical components and the data analysis pipeline, Canadian scientists are positioned to turn raw telescope observations into robust scientific detections.
Beyond the immediate scientific output, nearly half of the $11.3 million grant will support partnerships with Canadian industry. This investment is expected to drive innovation in technical fields such as optics, photonics, detectors, and data science. Furthermore, the project includes educational initiatives to connect students in Canada and Chile with real-time research, using ELT observations to develop classroom content and train the next generation of STEM professionals.