India-Japan Mini Space Telescope to Capture High-Quality Photos at Low Cost

India and Japan are collaborating to build the world's largest and most powerful optical telescope, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). With a 30-meter-wide mirror, it can peer into the deepest corners of the universe. This telescope will study black holes, distant galaxies, and potentially answer one of humanity's biggest questions – is there life beyond Earth?

The telescope will consist of 492 small hexagonal mirrors, forming a 30-meter primary mirror. Indian scientists are responsible for maintaining these mirrors at nanometer precision. Indian engineers are designing the opto-mechanical systems, actuators, and control systems. Key Indian institutions involved include the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bangalore, the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital.

Location of the Super Telescope

The main site chosen is Mauna Kea in Hawaii, known for having the clearest skies in the world. However, due to opposition from local residents, an alternative site in Hanle, Ladakh, is also being considered.

The telescope will study the atmospheres of exoplanets. Detection of oxygen, methane, water molecules, or organic compounds could indicate signs of life. Dr. Tsuneta jokingly remarked, “If life is found, the young scientists should get the Nobel Prize – I am too old!”