ELT in close-up view

Close-up view of the novel 5-mirror approach of the ELT. The structure supporting the secondary mirror is a three pier system located at 120 degree intervals around the primary mirror. At the top of the three towers, the spider of the telescope supports the secondary unit while at the same time minimising the obstruction of the beam. The total rotating mass is about 5,500 tons.

The design for the ELT shown here was published in 2009 and is preliminary.