Building the Giant Magellan Telescope with Dr. Rebecca Bernstein and Dr. Jim Fanson

Building the Giant Magellan Telescope with Dr. Rebecca Bernstein and Dr. Jim Fanson

Author: John Michael Godier April 12, 2026 Duration: 37:21

The Giant Magellan Telescope will be a member of the next generation of extremely large ground-based telescopes that promises to revolutionize our view and understanding of the universe. It will be constructed in the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Commissioning of the telescope is scheduled to begin in 2029.The GMT has a unique design that offers several advantages. It is a segmented mirror telescope that employs seven of today’s largest stiff monolith mirrors as segments. Six off-axis 8.4 meter or 27-foot segments surround a central on-axis segment, forming a single optical surface 24.5 meters, or 80 feet, in diameter with a total collecting area of 368 square meters. The GMT will have a resolving power 10 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope. The GMT project is the work of a distinguished international consortium of leading universities and science institutions.Link:www.GMTO.orgTwitter: @GMTelescopeWant to support the channel?Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EventHorizonShowFollow us at other places!Website: https://www.eventhorizonshow.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmgeventhorizonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmgeventhorizon/Music featured on Event Horizonhttps://stellardrone.bandcamp.com/https://migueljohnson.bandcamp.com/https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/https://aeriumambient.bandcamp.com/FOOTAGE:Giant Magellan Telescope – GMTO CorporationNASAESA/HubbleESO - M.KornmesserESO - L.CalcadaESO - Jose Francisco Salgado (josefrancisco.org)NAOJUniversity of WarwickGoddard Visualization StudioLangley Research CenterPixabay


Curiosity about the cosmos often starts with a simple question, and that's where John Michael Godier's Event Horizon finds its rhythm. Hosted by author and futurist John Michael Godier, this podcast delves into the profound and the perplexing at the edges of our understanding. Each episode builds a narrative, weaving together discussions on astronomy, astrophysics, and the latest space science news with broader themes of technology, history, and futurism. The conversations are grounded by special guests who bring expertise and diverse perspectives, turning complex ideas into engaging explorations. You'll find the dialogue moves from the concrete details of scientific discovery to the speculative implications for our future, all with a thoughtful and accessible tone. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep dive into the context and consequences of what we're learning about the universe. For anyone who looks up at the night sky and wonders about black holes, the potential for life elsewhere, or where our technology might take us next, this podcast offers a compelling space to linger on those big ideas. The production emphasizes clarity and depth, making even the most daunting topics feel within reach. Tune in for a regular journey to the frontiers of science and human thought.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

John Michael Godier's Event Horizon
Podcast Episodes
Are Stars Disappearing? With Dr. Beatriz Villarroel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Why are stars vanishing? Dr. Beatriz Villarroel and her team used existing survey data to find examples of exceptional astrophysical transients. As well, looked for physically impossible effects caused by highly advanced…
Antarctica and Neutrinos with Dr. Peter Gorham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
What are neutrinos? How are neutrinos detected?Dr. Peter Gorham is a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Hawaii, he works with ANITA, the Antartic Impulsive Transient Antenna to detect and constrain t…
Apollo: Untold Stories of the Voyage to the Moon with Nancy Atkinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:25
This week is the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13.Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions by Nancy Atkinson https://amzn.to/2RHbvhmJohn Michael Godier is joined by writer, space, and science reporter fro…
Is Earth The Best Type of Planet For Life? With Fraser Cain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:18
What type of planet is the best for life in the universe?Are other exoplanets better for life than earth? What about ocean worlds? Also, what is the latest with the JWST and Oumuamua and Comet Borisov.And is Avi Loeb's p…
Are There Alien Artifacts in Our Solar System? with Dr. James Benford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
Von Neumann probes, self-replicating spacecraft, or Alien lurkers and alien artifacts all represent the idea that somewhere in our solar system there could be evidence of an alien civilization and that they may have been…
Why Humans Will Never Colonize Mars with Gizmodo’s George Dvorsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:50
George Dvorsky says in his article 'Humans Will Never Colonize Mars' on Gizmodo that,“The suggestion that humans will soon set up bustling, long-lasting colonies on Mars is something many of us take for granted. What thi…