Dozens of boxes holding mirrors are placed along a remote desert hill in northern Chile as workers make progress in the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope, planned as one of the most capable astronomical observatories ever assembled.

The Extremely Large Telescope, under construction in Chile, aims to explore exoplanets for potential life and examine the universe's first stars. Scheduled to be operational by 2028, this €1.45 billion project promises to enhance our astronomical understanding significantly.

STORY: Among the remote desert hills of northern Chile lies the aptly named “Extremely Large Telescope.”:: Cerro Armazones, ChileThe project, about 60% complete, is planned as one of the most capable astronomical observatories ever assembled.

A project expected to bring major changes to humanity's understanding of the universe, the Extremely Large Telescope with a main mirror nearly 40 meters across, is being assembled in Chile's Atacama Desert with first observations expected in 2028.