The
Large Binocular Telescope is a join project of the Italian astronomical community (represented by the
Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica[?] (INAF)), the
University of Arizona,
Arizona State University,
Northern Arizona University[?], the LBT Beteiligungsgesellschaft in
Germany (Max-Planck-Institutfür Astronomie in Heidelberg, Landessternwarte in Heidelberg, Astrophysikalisches Institut in Potsdam,
Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik[?] in
Munich, and
Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie[?] in
Bonn), The
Ohio State University, Research Corporation in Tucson, and the
University of Notre Dame
The final configuration will be a telescope with two 8.4-meter mirrors mounted on a common base (hence the name "binocular"), taking full advantage of active and adaptive optics. Also, an interferometric mode will be available, with a baseline of 23 meters.
The telescope is currently (2003) in building phase at Mount Graham, Arizona[?]. First light is expected for the spring of 2004.
Website of the LBT (http://medusa.as.arizona.edu/lbtwww/lbt.html)