Following great success in the creation of the Keck Observatory, scientists at the California Institute ofudTechnology and the University of California have begun to explore the scientific and technical prospectsudfor a much larger telescope. The Keck telescopes will remain the largest telescopes in the world for audnumber of years, with many decades of forefront research ahead after that. Though these telescopesudhave produced dramatic discoveries, it is already clear that even larger telescopes must be built if weudare to address some of the most profound questions about our universe. The time required to build audlarger telescope is approximately ten years, and the California community is presently well-positionedudto begin its design and construction. The same scientists who conceived, led the design, and guidedudthe construction of the Keck Observatory have been intensely engaged in a study of the prospects forudan extremely large telescope. Building on our experience with the Keck Observatory, we have concludedudthat the large telescope is feasible and is within the bounds set by present-day technology. Our referenceudtelescope has a diameter of 30 meters, the largest size we believe can be built with acceptable risk. Theudproject is currently designated the California Extremely Large Telescope (CELT).
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