Part 6/9:
Complementing its massive mirror, the ELT will be equipped with cutting-edge instruments that significantly enhance its observational prowess. Spectrographs will dissect light into detailed wavelengths, allowing researchers to analyze the chemical makeup of distant objects more accurately than ever. Additionally, the ELT will employ specialized coronagraphs to filter out starlight, making it easier to detect faint planets orbiting distant stars.
One of the most exciting anticipations surrounding the ELT is its ability to ascertain the atmospheric conditions of exoplanets like Proxima b. By analyzing light filtered through a planet's atmosphere during stellar transits, astronomers can detect biomarkers—the chemical signs of potential biological processes.