Indian scientists to lend hands in developing the world’s largest telescope
Are you someone who is passionate about space science? Well, then, you must know about the world’s most popular telescopes such as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the world’s largest telescope Hubble Space Telescope (also one of NASA’s). But guess what? This isn’t going to remain the largest of its kind for long. Why? Because scientists and engineers worldwide have joined hands to develop the “largest eye on the universe” (world’s largest telescope) soon.
It will be an optical, infrared, 30 metre telescope (TMT) and will be developed at Maunakea in Hawaii, USA. The cost of building this telescope is estimated at 2.6 billion dollars currently and will see Indian researchers collaborate with their peers from USA, Japan, Canada, and China.
The Indian institutes involved in this mega project are: The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) of Pune, Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IUA) and the Nainital-based Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences that specialises in telescope-making. In addition, 50 plus Indian industries are also associated in the project and as many as 200 scientists, engineers and industry experts have been roped in.
Prasanna Deshmukh aged 35 and hailing from Maharashtra’s Sangli is one of the key contributors to the project and is in charge of the TMT’s primary mirror control system, crucial actuators and edge sensors.
Sources cite that the TMT will enable astronomers to conduct research into the universe’s origin dating back to the Big Bang. In fact, this unnamed telescope will able to capture data ranging between one to 13.7 billion light years away. The power and reach of this TMT will be such that it can even lend us images of the Milky Way’s nearest galaxy, Andromeda (located approximately 25.3 light years away).
Currently, the two most distinguished telescopes are no match for the upcoming TMT. In fact, Hubble and James Webb are only 2.5 metres and 6.5 metres in diameter respectively, while TMT is more than five times their sizes. Besides, Hubble that was built in 1990 can only capture 535 kilometres above the Earth, while its recent cousin James Webb (2021 born) is located at 15 lakh kilometres from the Earth, orbiting the sun. Still, in comparison to the TMT, they will be nowhere close. Moreover, both these telescopes are space-based, while the TMT will be ground-based, that too with such a wide size and range. How fascinating is that!
Scientists speculate that by using TMT they will be able to gain a better view of planets, exoplanets, stars, galaxies, nebula, supernovas, pulsars and other unknown objects in the far away universe. TMT will also be able to conduct spectroscopy, the method that involves studying the atmosphere of all these celestial objects in minute details, analyse whether life exists or ever did, and try and figure out whether earthlings can ever settle anywhere.
But, how is TMT going to look like? It will comprise of 492 hexagon mirrors to form its primary mirror, 1476 actuators, 2772 high-precision edge sensors, 10332 smaller actuators to align all the mirrors, detect micro-minutest deviations and correct them if needed to capture the best possible views of the universe. In fact, all the mirrors will be made from zero thermal expansion glass, meaning there will be as such no blurred images even when exposed to temperature fluctuations. TMT will also be equipped with “Extreme Adaptive Optics” system to not fall victim to Earth’s atmospheric disturbances while tracking space objects.
Wondering when will TMT will launch and start doing its magic. Hopefully by 2032!