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The Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona, US, has taken its first spectacular image, even though one of its eyes is still shut.

The $120-million telescope is the first of its kind, being comprised of two 8.4-metre primary mirrors on the same mount. It is still being built, but when completed, the telescope should have vision 10 to 12 times better than the Hubble Space Telescope.

At present only one mirror is ready for observations, but even with “monocular” vision, the telescope has captured an arresting image of the spiral galaxy NGC 891. It was chosen simply because it is a beautiful object, says Richard Green, director of the LBT.

NGC 891 is just 24 million light years away in the constellation Andromeda. Once the telescope is fully operational, scientists hope to be able to study more distant galaxies, such as those in the background of this image.

Eyes open

To be completed, the LBT must first be fitted with thin and flexible secondary mirrors to compensate for the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere – a technique called adaptive optics. And its second primary mirror must still be calibrated.

“With optimism, we imagine that by the end of 2006, the telescope will be suitable for taking pictures like that of NGC 891, but with both eyes open,” Green told Â鶹´«Ã½.

Working together, the two mirrors will equal the resolution of a 23-metre telescope, which would put it among the world’s largest. Scientists hope to be able to gather direct images of planets outside the solar system.

Other groups are watching the development of the telescope closely. Another planned telescope, the Giant Magellan Telescope is using a similar technique, but instead of two mirrors, they intend to mount seven.

The telescope was built and operated by the University of Arizona, Italy’s Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Germany’s LBT Beteiligungsgesellschaft, Ohio State University and the Research Corporation.