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Telescopes are crucial for observing and comprehending the universe and other planets; hence astronomers worldwide invest heavily in telescopes. Due to new developments in Artificial Intelligence technology, the construction and installation of telescopes may necessitate a significant financial investment. Telescope funding typically comes from various sources, including government agencies, research institutions, universities, and private organizations. Rich and powerful people have also spent substantially on telescopes, such as Jeff Bezos, who has installed his telescope on the moon and uses it to explore it.
Major astronomical projects like space-based telescopes or large ground-based observatories require substantial funding. The costs include research and development, construction, maintenance, and operational expenses. However, the knowledge and discoveries gained from these investments often have a far-reaching impact on various. Here are the top eight most expensive telescopes projects in the world.
Gran Telescopio Canarias –$140 Million
Also known as the Great Canary Telescope, the GTC is one of the world's largest single-aperture optical telescopes. It is located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. The GTC is equipped with various instruments and cameras that allow astronomers to observe celestial objects across different wavelengths of light, from ultraviolet to near-infrared. The Gran Telescopio Canarias project began in 2000 and was completed in 2009 at $140 million.
Subaru Telescope –$285 Million
Located in Hawaii, the Subaru Telescope is a large optical-infrared telescope operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The construction of the Subaru Telescope began in 1991 and became operational in 1999. The telescope's name is derived from the Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster, which has cultural importance in Japan. It cost about $285 million to construct.
Large Synoptic Survey Telescope –$626 Million
The LSST was launched in 2022, located in Chile, and aims to conduct a comprehensive survey of the night sky. The LSST has a large mirror and a susceptible camera, allowing it to capture a wide field of view in a single image. The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, uncovering discoveries and providing a wealth of data for researchers. Its cost is estimated to be around $626 Million.
Very Large Telescope –$1.4 Billion
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is an advanced optical telescope located at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It comprises four individual telescopes, each with a primary mirror diameter of 8.2 meters, making it one of the world's most powerful ground-based astronomical observatories. The total cost of the VLT project is estimated to be around $1.4 billion.
Atacama Large Millimeter Array –$1.4 Billion
The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is an astronomical interferometer located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. It is a joint venture between various international partners, including North America, Europe, East Asia, and Chile. ALMA is designed to observe the universe at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths, which allows it to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena. It was an expensive project that took two years to complete and was estimated to cost $1.4 billion.
Hubble Space Telescope –$2 Billion
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space-based observatory that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. The Hubble Space Telescope was sent into orbit in 1990 as a joint mission of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The HST is one of the most famous and expensive telescopes ever built. Its total cost, including development, maintenance, and operation, is around $10 billion.
Thirty Meter Telescope –$2.65 Billion
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a next-generation astronomical observatory currently under development. It is designed to be one of the largest ground-based telescopes, with a primary mirror diameter of 30 meters. The TMT project involves various international partners, including the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and India. The TMT will advance observational astronomy's limits and help us better comprehend the universe by making pivotal discoveries. Its estimated cost is around $1.4 billion. The project, however, has seen significant setbacks and disputes.
James Webb Space Telescope –$10 Billion
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space-based observatory launched on December 25, 2021. It is the most powerful and advanced telescope project ever launched into space. It is a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The JWST is designed to explore the cosmos in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing unprecedented capabilities for astronomical observations. The project took 30 years to complete and is estimated to have cost roughly $10 billion.
Source: Rarest, Moneyinc, Cbsnews
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