This list of the largest optical reflecting telescopes with objective diameters of 3.0 metres (120 in) or greater is sorted by aperture, which is a measure of the light-gathering power and resolution of a reflecting telescope. The mirrors themselves can be larger than the aperture, and some telescopes may use aperture synthesis through interferometry. Telescopes designed to be used as optical astronomical interferometers such as the Keck I and II used together as the Keck Interferometer (up to 85 m) can reach higher resolutions, although at a narrower range of observations. When the two mirrors are on one mount, the combined mirror spacing of the Large Binocular Telescope (22.8 m) allows fuller use of the aperture synthesis.
Largest does not always equate to being the best telescopes, and overall light gathering power of the optical system can be a poor measure of a telescope's performance. Space-based telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, take advantage of being above the Earth's atmosphere to reach higher resolution and greater light gathering through longer exposure times. Location in the northern or southern hemisphere of the Earth can also limit what part of the sky can be observed, and climate conditions at the observatory site affect how often the telescope can be used each year.
The combination of large mirrors, locations selected for stable atmosphere and favorable climate conditions, and active optics and adaptive optics to correct for much of atmospheric turbulence allow the largest Earth based telescopes to reach higher resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope.[1] Another advantage of Earth based telescopes is the comparatively low cost of upgrading and replacing instruments.
This list is ordered by optical aperture, which has historically been a useful gauge of limiting resolution, optical area, physical size, and cost. Multiple mirror telescopes that are on the same mount and can form a single combined image are ranked by their equivalent aperture. Fixed altitude telescopes (e.g. HET) are also ranked by their equivalent aperture. All telescopes with an effective aperture of at least 3.00 metres (118 in) at visible or near-infrared wavelengths are included.
There are only a few sites capable of polishing the mirrors for these telescopes. SAGEM in France polished the four VLT mirrors, the two Gemini mirrors, and the 36 segments for GTC.[17] The Steward Observatory Mirror Lab cast and polished the two LBT mirrors, the two Magellan mirrors, the MMT replacement mirror, and the LSST primary/tertiary mirror. It is currently making the mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope.[18] The Keck segments were made by Schott AG. The SALT and LAMOST segments were cast and polished by LZOS.[19] The mirror for Subaru was cast by Corning and polished at Contraves Brashear Systems in Pennsylvania, USA.[20]
This table does not include all the largest mirrors manufactured. The Steward Observatory Mirror Lab produced the 6.5 metre f/1.25 collimator used in the Large Optical Test and Integration Site of Lockheed Martin, used for vacuum optical testing of other telescopes.
Segmented mirrors are also referred to as mosaic mirrors. Single mirrors are also referred to monolithic mirrors, and can be sub-categorized in types, such as solid or honeycomb.
Comparison of nominal sizes of apertures of some notable optical telescopesFor the largest reflecting telescopes on the planet, the horizontal indicates the year built and the vertical direction indicates the size of the mirror measured in meters. Countries which contain several of these telescopes are color-coded for identification.
Chronological list of largest telescopes
These telescopes were the largest in the world at the time of their construction, by the same aperture criterion as above.
Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii, USA – 30 m (1,200 in). Construction began in 2014 but halted in 2015; as of 2022[update] it has not resumed.[23]
Giant Magellan Telescope, Chile – seven 8.4 m mirrors on a single mount. This provides an effective aperture equivalent to a 21.4 m mirror and the resolving power equivalent to a 24.5 m mirror. First light planned in 2029.[24]
Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer, New Mexico, USA – An optical interferometer array with ten 1.4 m (55 in) telescopes. The light gathering power is equivalent to a 4.4 m (170 in) single aperture. The first telescope was installed in 2016; construction was paused in 2019 due to insufficient funding[28] and has not resumed.
Timau National Observatory, Indonesia – 3.8 m (150 in). Construction expected to be completed in 2023.[29]
MUltiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST), a 6.5 m spectroscopic survey telescope.[30]
Chinese Giant Solar Telescope (CGST), an infrared and optical solar telescope, with light-gathering power equivalent to a 5 m diameter aperture.[31][32]
Advanced Liquid-mirror Probe of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Asteroids (ALPACA), a proposed Earth-based 8 metre telescope, by Arlin Crotts of Columbia University.[33][34]
^Dwayne DayMonday, May 11, 2009 (2009-05-11). "Mirrors in the dark". The Space Review. Retrieved 2012-01-03.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Sagar, Ram; Kumar, Brijesh; Omar, Amitesh; Pandey, A. K. (2012). Stepp, Larry M.; Gilmozzi, Roberto; Hall, Helen J. (eds.). "New optical telescope projects at Devasthal Observatory". Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV. 8444: 84441T. arXiv:1304.2474. Bibcode:2012SPIE.8444E..1TS. doi:10.1117/12.925634. S2CID119272065.
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