A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe, known as AtLAST, will map the dusty, hidden regions of space using a massive 50-metre dish powered entirely by sustainable renewable energy.
AtLAST aims to bring the hidden, cloudy regions of the universe into focus by detecting radiation between radio and infrared waves. This facility targets the gas and dust shaping early galaxies.
Operating without fossil fuels, the 50-meter observatory will utilise solar power and energy recovered from its own movement. It seeks to bridge gaps in our ability to map the deep, obscured cosmos.
Discovering a telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe
A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe uses submillimeter-wave radiation to map regions obscured by dust. By imaging areas 16 moons in size, it takes a massive census of the dusty cosmos.
As a wide-angle camera, this 50-metre single-dish facility provides a comprehensive survey of cold gas and dust previously invisible to researchers. It moves rapidly to create large maps, identifying up to 50 million galaxies hidden behind interstellar clouds across a 50-year operational life.
a telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe allows astronomers to observe obscured stellar nurseries. It detects light buried in dust, uncovering missing galaxies through submillimeter precision.
This European-led project involves global partners refining key technologies until 2028. It will eventually slot into a new generation of giant observatories designed to reshape astronomy by the 2040s.
Submillimeter Mapping and Dusty Voids
A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe detects the radiation emitted by the coldest materials in space. While visible light is blocked by center-of-galaxy dust, submillimeter waves penetrate these clouds to reveal how galaxies actually evolve and develop over cosmic time.
Technical Design of AtLAST
The 4,400-tonne structure features a 50-metre primary dish and a 12-metre secondary mirror for wide-field observations. It is located 5 km above sea level in Chile’s thin, dry atmosphere to ensure pristine imaging.
| Feature | Specification | Scientific Advantage |
| Dish Size | 50 Metres | Unmatched sensitivity |
| Field of View | 16 Moons | Rapid sky census |
| Power Source | Renewable | Near-zero carbon science |
Scientific importance and theories
A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe investigates dark energy’s role in cosmic expansion and the nature of dark matter. It also probes molecular clouds for the building blocks of life, answering how life emerges and develops within the universe.
Sustainable Astronomy at High Altitude
Operating at 5,000 metres requires a power-hungry facility to run without fossil fuels. AtLAST tests solar batteries and metal hydride storage, recovering kinetic energy from braking to achieve ambitious climate targets while exploring the cosmos.
Solar Atmosphere and Transient Discoveries
- Studies the sun’s atmosphere and solar flare variability at unprecedented scales.
- Detects transient, short-lived events appearing only at submillimeter wavelengths.
- Recovers missing hot and cold gas surrounding galaxies previously unseen in visible bands.
- Identifies obscured galaxies to resolve the “confusion limit” of light.
Implications and what comes next
A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe will set a pattern for future green observatories. International cooperation brings together expertise from Japan and Europe to build shared facilities.
Prototyping continues until 2028, focusing on optics and data handling systems. This infrastructure is designed to be upgradeable, benefiting future generations of astronomers over five decades.
Conclusion
A telescope that could reveal the missing half of the universe is essential for linking giant observatories across different wavelengths. It ensures we no longer observe just the tip of the cosmic iceberg. Explore more on our YouTube channel—join NSN Today.
