The Large Binocular Telescope observes volcano on Jupiter's moon Io

April 30, 2015

With the first detailed observations through imaging interferometry of a lava lake on a moon of Jupiter, the Large Binocular Telescope places itself as the forerunner of the next generation of Extremely Large Telescopes.

With its two 8.4 m mirrors set on the same mount 6 m apart, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), by combining the light through interferometry, provide images at the same level of detail a 22.8 m telescope would reach. Thanks to the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI), an international team of researchers was able to look at Loki Patera, revealing details as never before seen from Earth; their study is published today in the Astronomical Journal

Detailed information and more images can be found on the following pages:

Press release of the MPI for Radio Astronomy (in German)

Press release of the MPI for Radio Astronomy (in English)

Original Press Release of LBTO (in English)

Scientific publication in the Astronomical Journal (in English)

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