THE BIGGEST EYES ON THE SKY

Alongside the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will investigate supermassive black holes

1 ARC DE TRIOMPHE, PARIS

One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe stands at 50 metres (164 feet) tall, shorter than the ELT.

2 ELT, CHILE

The largest telescope ever constructed, the

ELT exterior dome will reach 74 metres (243 feet). The dome has a diameter of about 86 metres (282 feet).

3 THE LONDON EYE, UK

At 135 metres (443 feet), the Eye towers over the Extremely Large Telescope by a massive 61 metres (200 feet).

4 VLT, CHILE

The Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory is dwarfed by the ELT, barely scraping 30 metres (98 feet).

5 STATUE OF LIBERTY, NEW YORK

Lady Liberty is 93 metres (305 feet) from the ground to her torch, roughly the same as a 22-storey building.

6 THE COLOSSEUM, ROME

The Colosseum remains fearsome, but at 48 metres (157 feet) it’s just over half the height of the ELT.

7 GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA

The ELT is dwarfed by the Great Pyramid of Giza, standing at an impressive 138 metres (452 feet).