This is a view of the unfinished primary mirror of the Gran Telescopio Canarias in Spain’s Canary Islands. The telescope, the world’s largest, is set to make its first observations at a “first light” ceremony July 13, 2007. Under construction since 1990, the telescope and its 34.1 foot mirror is set to be completed next year. The University of Florida contributed $5 million to the $175 million project and owns a 5 percent share of the telescope, the only U.S. institution with such an ownership share.

(Photo courtesy of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias)
View larger image. To request a print-quality image, email newsdesk@ufl.edu.
Return to: World’s largest telescope to make first observations Friday