Can telescopes see other galaxies?

Until now, astronomical telescopes were unable to see other galaxies from earth

. This is all about to change thanks to one of the biggest telescopes on earth, measuring in at 50 metres in diameter.

This is one of the largest and sensitive telescopes operating at its range and will now be able to see galaxies that are up to 14,000 light years away from earth.

Situated almost 5,000 metres off the ground at the top of Mexican volcano, Sierra Negra, it is now hoped that its abilities to see so far in to space will be able to help piece together stories about the births and deaths of different galaxies.

Due to start operating at the end of 2010, it took twelve years to build at a cost of 115 million dollars. Compared to other existing astronomical telescopes, it also has the best capabilities of operating in millimetre waves which enable it to pick up information from space.

Most of this cost has been paid for by the Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica (INAOE) in Mexico. The remaining investment comes from the University of Massachusetts in the United States.

Another even bigger telescope is also being built in Chile by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It is hoped these massive machines will be able to complement each other when exploring other galaxies.

It is now hoped that the telescope based in Mexico will be able to help study other planets and seek out possibilities of other life forms. In addition researchers also hope it will bring advances in the telecommunications and medicine fields.

Speaking to AFP, Raul Mujica, a researcher from the project said: " We will explore theories of the origin of life, like those which lead to the birth of a comet and we will study their chemical composition before they catch fire near the ground."

Can telescopes see other galaxies?

By: William hoffman

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