Astronomers propose to put “Ultimately Large Telescope” on the moon

Some astronomers are supporting the construction of an “Ultimately Large Telescope” on the moon for further research on the Big Bang.

The idea is to create a telescope that will allow scientists to view and analyze the oldest stars in the universe, particularly those that formed after the Big Bang over 13.7 billion years ago, USA Today reported.

University of Texas astronomer Anna Schauer dubbed the proposed telescope the “Ultimately Large Telescope,” adding that it would have a liquid mirror over 300 feet in diameter.

“The telescope would be able to observe the first stars that formed after the Big Bang, with material made in the Big Bang,” Schauer told USA Today.

He added that no existing telescope could see this far back into the early formation of the universe, not even NASA’s upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is said to help astronomers “look much closer to the beginning of time.” , according to NASA.

The proposed lunar telescope would use a liquid mirror to lighten the load for transporting materials to the moon.

Schauer described the mirror as a rotating vat of liquid topped with an additional metallic reflective liquid.

“To see stars that far away and so early in the universe, we have to get out of Earth’s atmosphere, because it blocks light in the wavelengths we would need to see,” Schauer said.

Schauer said the telescope will be located inside a crater at the moon’s north and south poles, although he noted that science and humanity’s ability to create the structure “may be decades away.”

University of Texas astronomer Volker Bromm said in a statement that the lunar telescope could give some answers to the complexity of the universe and some glimmers of answers about the conditions that have brought about intelligent life on Earth.

“The emergence of the first stars marks a crucial transition in the history of the universe, as the primordial conditions established by the Big Bang gave way to ever-increasing cosmic complexity, ultimately bringing life to planets, life and intelligent beings like us. “Bromm said.

The idea was previously proposed to NASA in 2008 by a team of astronomers and researchers from the University of Arizona, but was ultimately rejected by the agency.