The first of seven 8.4 metre wide mirrors to be installed as part of the world’s largest optical telescope has been completed, marking an important step in the progress of the  construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).

 

The GMT is currently under construction at the Las Campanas Observatory in the Chilean Andes, and is a joint initiative of a number of universities and research organisations from Australia, the United States and Korea.

 

"The GMT is a next-generation international project that will open new avenues of scientific discovery including the origin and evolution of our planetary systems and exploring the bigger mysteries of the cosmos,” Federal Minister for Science and Innovation Senator Chris Evans said.

 

 

"The completion of this type of mirror is a world first and the GMT team is to be congratulated for their efforts which required a remarkable level of precision to shape and polish 20 tonnes of melted glass."