Out There

IMAGES COURTESY MOTHRA

How many lenses does it take to see the faint hydrogen gas that connects galaxies across the universe?

The answer is 1,140 Canon 400mm f/2.8 telephoto lenses.

View Gallery

Dragonfly, a Focused Research Organization, is building this massive array of Canon lenses, dubbed Mothra, to act as a telescope capable of revealing the hidden gases of the cosmic web that traditional instruments can’t see. Mothra is being built at the Obstech El Sauce Observatory in Northern Chile, known for its clear, dark skies and dry stable air, ideal conditions for galaxy gazing. By combining images from 1,140 lenses, Mothra acts like a giant 4.7-meter diameter lens. It’s expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

Amanda Arnold is a senior editor. 

Tags: lenses 

Related Articles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Videos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Podcasts