n MNASSA : Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of South Africa - First light for world's largest telescope : news notes

Abstract

Extracted from text ... mnassa vol 64 nos 9 & 10 138 news notes CAPE TOWN, SEPTEMBER 1 - The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) has passed a significant milestone when it achieved "first light" on September 1. SALT is the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere, and equal to the largest in the world. At one time, the largest telescope in South Africa was the 1-metre Elizabeth Telescope (built in the year Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was crowned). SALT has 91 mirrors, each the same size as the one in the Elizabeth Telescope. At a press conference held in the dome of ..