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(Last updated 11/20/02)

Related materials:
"Telescope Mirror To Get Shiny Finish in Major Test Run," 11/26/02.

A background document on the LBT project and Ohio State's role in it can be found here.

Partial Timeline for the Large Binocular Telescope

1993

  • December: LBT construction site partially cleared

1996

  • June: Clearing of the LBT construction site resumes

1997

  • January: Casting of first 8.4m mirror
  • March: Construction of the telescope pier, the ring wall, the utility trench, excavation of the enclosure foundation, and drilling of the elevator shaft begins
  • September: Furnace opened to reveal first 8.4m mirror

1998

  • January: Contract for the fabrication of the bell jar along with the mirror cells awarded to Ansaldo Energia S.p.A.
  • February: First 8.4m mirror removed from furnace and cleaned
  • March: Installation of the rotating part of the LBT enclosure begins

1999

  • March: Installation of septic tanks and plumbing completed
  • April: Pier upper ring installed
  • June: Majority of structural steel for rotating building is completed
  • June: Finishing of the backside of the first 8.4m mirror completed
  • December: Majority of siding for enclosure is installed

2000

  • May: Casting of the second 8.4m mirror begins
  • Construction begins on MGIO utility building
  • August: NSF awards Ohio State $1 million to build Multi-Object Double Spectrograph for use on the telescope

2001

  • Construction continues on MGIO utility building
  • June: Sliding shutter doors partially opened

2002

  • Enclosure completed
  • August: First mirror continues to be polished, second mirror is cleaned out
  • November: Aluminization system testing begins at Rickenbacker Airport

2003

  • Alumnization system testing completion; system moves to Mouth Graham

2004

  • First light expected on first primary mirror

2005

  • First light expected on second primary mirror

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