The first of our “Steve Adams” lectures was a great success, thanks to the incredible enthusiasm of our speaker, Professor Vik Dhillon, and the large turn-out of members and visitors.
Vik’s talk concentrated heavily on on the sheer complexity and engineering that is required to construct the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), as well many aspects of the funding, the science, and the choice of location. One of the most staggering facts was that, when complete and housed in its dome, it will be as tall as the Sheffield University Arts Tower. Another incredible fact was that the combined surface areas of all the world’s largest telescopes from the last hundred years would be smaller than the area of the E-ELT.
Thanks to Vik and to everyone who helped out. I am sure Steve would have been very pleased and proud.
You can find out about the E_ELT here: http://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/teles-instr/e-elt/
A profile of Vik Dhillon can be found here: http://www.vikdhillon.staff.shef.ac.uk
