When countries like the UK and USA unite for science, the opportunity for discovery doubles. A new $100 million telescope is now a joint project between the two countries with plans for a 2013 completion date. This new 25-meter, infrared telescope will be placed in the Atacama region of the Chilean desert for discovering plenty of new things in the sky with a two-part method. From the article:
The Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope, or CCAT, is designed to work alongside the proposed Atacama Large Millimeter Array, ALMA. This is also planned for construction in Chile. The idea is that CCAT will scan the skies for interesting things, and ALMA will be able to zoom in for a closer look.
The new telescope will enable scientists to learn more about other solar systems, new planets, star and galaxy formation, and so much more. 2013 is a long way to go, but when it does roll around, expect some amazing discoveries.
US and UK unite for $100m telescope [The Register]