Telescopes played a vital role in the history and astronomy way back thousand years before. Its invention opened a lot of great opportunities for the human kind to discover and unravel the things outside our planet. The things that we already know today are the results of different discoveries and studies in the past. And telescope contributed a lot in such research and discoveries. If we take a look at the past, we can fairly say that telescope, its invention and advancement are the main contributing factors and key in the success of astronomy. Today, in our modern generation where telescopes are more advanced and modern, it is easier now for human to see wildlife and different objects outside our planet. This leads to better education and opportunities for people to learn and have a glimpse of knowledge about the universe. Furthermore, scientific studies have been progressive through the use and help of telescopes. It is no doubt that we are now living in a modern world where things and creations beyond our world can now be seen closer, brighter and with more clarity. To further your knowledge about telescopes, let us take a look at the biggest telescopes in the world.
History of telescopes
Before we go through further details of the biggest telescopes in our planet, it is necessary to know first when and how telescopes started. Thus, studying some basic information of the history of telescope will allow us to appreciate and recognize its importance to the human kind and for our search for greater knowledge. The telescope has gone a long way to its continuous advancement and development. From practically non-existent device to one of the most famous educational and astronomical tool used in our modern society today, telescope has undergone an enormous transformation since it was first invented and developed in the 17th century. Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton are just some of the great minds who contributed in the development, discovery and enhancement of telescopes to the human kind. The first telescope was patented in 1608, and the credit goes to a Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey. The first telescope is composed of a concave eyepiece aligned to another convex object lens. Over time, a lot of scientists, developers, astronomers and other great minds put their time, effort and skills in furthering and developing telescopes.
The biggest telescopes
Now that you are armed with the history of telescope and its development over the years, it is essential for you to be familiar with the results of such development of telescope – the biggest telescopes in the world. Today, modern telescopes can be found in different parts of the world. From best portable telescope to the biggest lens telescope, our modern society is keeping these great inventions to educate the human kind. Their main function is to bring stars, galaxies and other objects beyond earth closer to us. These are the biggest telescopes in the world:
Keck 1 and Keck 2
Located in Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, US, Keck 1 and Keck 2 telescope is one of the biggest telescopes in the entire universe. These telescopes are 394 inches wide which is equivalent to 32.8 feet. It was first inaugurated in 1993 and 1996 designed by the University of California and Lawrence Berkely Labs in 1977. Howard Keck donated 70 million US dollars for the construction and development of these telescopes. Keck 1 started its construction the year 1985. With the spread of its popularity, different organizations and wealthy individuals started to donate more money for its development which also led to the construction of Keck 2.
The Gran Telescopio Canarias
This telescope is considered as the largest telescope ever created in the world. It measures 34 feet or 409 inches and can be found in Spain Canary Islands. The construction of the Gran Telescopio Canarais took over one thousand people from more than one hundred companies. It also took more than one decade before it has been completed. The main contributors of this giant telescope were the University of Florida, Instituto de Astrofisica, and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mixico. The Gran telescopio Canarias was inaugurated on July 2009.
SALT or South African Large Telescope
Next to The Gran Telescopio Canarias and Keck 1 and Keck 2, SALT is the next largest telescope. It is located in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Even though it is not the largest telescope in the world, it is still the largest in the southern hemisphere of our planet that has a measure of 30.16 feet which is equivalent to 362 inches across. Because of its current location, the SALT can capture objects, images that other telescopes in the Northern hemisphere could not capture. The main contributors of this telescope were different international countries such as Germany, Poland, UK, New Zealand, India, Us and South Africa.
Large Binocular Telescope
Fourth of the largest telescope on our planet is the Large Binocular Telescope or LBT. It measures 330 inches or 27.5 feet. This instrument is used to help astronomers and researchers to view the sky from the Mount Graham Observatory in Arizona United States. Large Binocular Telescope was constructed through the combined effort of Italian Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, University of Notre Dame, University of Arizona, and University of Missouri. University of Virginia and many more.
Subaru
The fifith lagest telescope on the palnet is the Subaru which is 323 inches or almost 27 feet in measure. This telescope is located in Hawaii. Subaru was constructed through the inaguarated work group from the University of Tokyo.
With all of these largest telescopes in the world, it is fair to say that such essential instrument has come a long way to continuous growth and development. Today, these telescopes have been used in different aspects of our society especially in the field of astronomy, education and other scientific uses. Hence, these biggest telescopes across the globe only show that we are now living in a modern world.
