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.
US ELT Program Recent News
10 January 2021
AAS #237 information
8 October 2020
Planetary Science Decadal Survey white papers and Snowmass LOIs
11 Aug 2020
Submission of "Planning and Design for a US Extremely Large Telescope Program" proposals to t he National Science Foundation
25 Mar 2020
The US ELT Program presents to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey
The US ELT Program is a joint endeavor of
▸ NSF's NOIRLab
▸ The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)
▸ The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
The goal of the US ELT Program is to complete both telescopes and to secure sufficient federal funding to make at least 25 percent of the observing time on GMT and TMT available for open access by the entire US community. This two-hemisphere ELT 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.
Updated: 25 February 2021
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.
| US ELT Program Recent News | |
|---|---|
| 10 January 2021 | AAS #237 information |
| 8 October 2020 | Planetary Science Decadal Survey white papers and Snowmass LOIs |
| 11 Aug 2020 | Submission of "Planning and Design for a US Extremely Large Telescope Program" proposals to t he National Science Foundation |
| 25 Mar 2020 | The US ELT Program presents to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey |
The US ELT Program is a joint endeavor of
▸ NSF's NOIRLab
▸ The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)
▸ The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
The goal of the US ELT Program is to complete both telescopes and to secure sufficient federal funding to make at least 25 percent of the observing time on GMT and TMT available for open access by the entire US community. This two-hemisphere ELT 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.
Updated: 25 February 2021