Part 3/9:
The ELT is not merely another iteration of existing telescopes; it signifies a monumental leap in observational technology. Its impressive primary mirror, with nearly 1,000 square meters (about 10,800 square feet) of exposed surface area, will enable the telescope to capture more light than any previous optical telescope. To put the scale into perspective, while most ground-based telescopes can see an open book from a kilometer away, the ELT will allow us to read the text on those pages.