MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024
WB Coatings, a brand from coating systems provider Mipa Group, has reportedly been selected to coat the steel structure of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
According to the company’s release, the giant telescope is expected to begin operations in about five years and will be the world’s largest telescope for visible and infrared light.
“The biggest challenge in selecting the right paint was to create the deepest possible black, dull matt surface to minimize scattered light and prevent disruption during operation,” writes Mipa.
“With a robust epoxy primer, a PU topcoat and the matching clearcoat from WB Coatings, it was possible to fulfil the extensive requirements.”
The construction was reportedly carried out by an international consortium, and the WB products were supplied to two participating companies in Spain and Italy. The individual steel components were coated there before being delivered to Chile for assembly.
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| Photos: European Southern Observatory |
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WB Coatings, a brand from coating systems provider Mipa Group, has reportedly been selected to coat the steel structure of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) at the European Southern Observatory in Chile. |
When planning the steel structure, one focus was reportedly keeping the telescope stable under all conditions, including strong winds or earthquakes, to keep the components and equipment precisely aligned. However, it also must be light enough so that the ELT does not collapse under its own weight.
The ELT consists of an optical design with five mirrors, including a huge 39 meter (about 128 feet) main mirror consisting of 798 hexagonal segments. Another mirror will adaptively adjust and correct distortions caused by air turbulence by changing its shape around a thousand times per second.
Located on the 3046-meter-high mountain Cerro Armazones in the Chilean Atacama Desert, engineers and craftsmen are currently working to assemble the structure of the telescope dome. The steel dome has already reportedly taken on its round shape.
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Located on the 3046-meter-high mountain Cerro Armazones in the Chilean Atacama Desert, engineers and craftsmen are currently working to assemble the structure of the telescope dome. |
The six-laser source for the ELT's optical system has now also been manufactured and delivered to ESO for testing, Mipa reports. According to ESO, all other systems and components required for the completion of the ELT are also currently making progress in their development or production.
Construction reportedly started nine years ago with a ground-breaking ceremony in Chile. The remaining 50% of the project is expected to be completed much faster than the construction of the first half, with the first light images expected in 2027.
Tagged categories: Business operations; Coating Materials - Commercial; Coatings; Coatings systems; Construction; Good Technical Practice; Metal coatings; Mipa Group; Ongoing projects; Program/Project Management; Projects - Commercial; Steel; WB Coatings
