Gran Telescopio Canarias is world's largest optical telescope

The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) is the largest optical telescope in the world, located on La Palma in Spain. It stands out with a primary mirror diameter of 10.4 meters, which is about the size of a small house. This telescope helps astronomers unlock the mysteries of the universe by capturing light from distant celestial objects. Astronomy has greatly benefited from the advancements in telescope technology. Modern telescopes, like the GTC, use adaptive optics that correct for atmospheric distortions. This results in clearer, sharper images of stars, galaxies, and planets. To date, research using data from the GTC has led to over 1,000 published papers. Other notable telescopes include the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. The Keck Observatory has two main telescopes, each with a 10-meter mirror, while the VLT consists of four telescopes, the largest of which has an 8.2-meter mirror. Both are important tools for astronomical research. Also prominent is the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in China, known as Tianyan or "Sky Eye." It is the largest single-dish radio telescope and is designed to capture faint radio waves from space. Visitors to FAST must avoid using any devices that emit radio signals to prevent interference. Looking to the future, even larger telescopes are being developed. The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in Chile will feature a mirror measuring 39.3 meters, allowing it to collect 15 times more light than the GTC. Such powerful telescopes will aid in exploring new exoplanets and understanding dark matter. Both ground-based and space-based telescopes play crucial roles in astronomy. Space-based telescopes avoid atmospheric distortion, providing clearer images and access to different wavelengths of light. However, ground-based telescopes have the advantage of easier maintenance and upgrades. While we may not discover everything within our lifetimes, the potential of future telescopes excites many. They will continue to reveal the wonders of the universe and the mysteries waiting to be discovered. Stargazing remains a popular activity, and even without a telescope, one can see the International Space Station in the night sky.