US Extremely Large Telescope Program

Overview

A new research frontier in astronomy will open with the advent of ground-based extremely large optical-infrared telescopes (ELTs) with primary mirror diameters greater than 20m. These observatories will enable transformational discoveries in nearly all areas of astrophysics from our Solar System to the most distant stars and galaxies, from fundamental physics and cosmology to the search for evidence of life on planets around other stars.

The US ELT Program is a joint endeavor of

▸NOIRLab
▸The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)
▸The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)

These organizations seek a federal contribution to complete the telescopes and make them available for open access by the whole US community. The two-hemisphere system would provide greater and more diverse research opportunities than could be achieved with a single telescope. Any US scientist with a great idea could propose to use TMT and GMT observing time managed by NOIRLab. All data from GMT and TMT would be available from NOIRLab's archive. NOIRLab would provide an extensive suite of user services, documentation, and training to support the entire research lifecycle from submission of proposals to observations to data analysis.

The US ELT Program is committed to enabling diversity within scientific collaborations. We seek to empower the best minds, no matter their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or institutional affiliation.