The Most Expensive Telescopes of All Time

Telescopes are most often thought of in terms of something you can place on your porch and check out the stars and even some of the universe’s wonder. Most people don’t bother to consider that the world is filled with costly telescopes that are designed to discover things the average human will never see. Read on to find out which of the world’s telescopes are the most expensive.

Discovery Channel Telescope – $53 million

Located in Arizona, this publicly funded telescope is one of the most expensive in the world. The Discovery Channel Telescope is one that sees farther and in more intimate detail than most, making it perfect for space exploration from the ground. It’s been able to see things most other telescopes never have a hope of seeing.

Thirty Meter Telescope – $780 million

Designed so that it has approximately 12 times the resolution of the hubble space telescope, this is being funded by Intel. The massive telescope is one of the most expensive projects Intel has taken on at the moment, and it looks to be a thriving success. It’s expected to aid in space exploration.

Atacama Large Millimeter Array – $1.3 billion

Its place is above the Andes Mountains in Chile, and it’s one of the world’s most expensive telescopes. In fact, it’s the world’s most expensive stationary telescope. It has capabilities that include so many bonuses and features that it would take weeks to explain exactly what this can do. We’ll leave it at the fact that this telescope can do what no other telescope can.

European Extremely Large Telescope – $1.17 billion

This is the first of its kind. This particular telescope is only possible because scientists have discovered a new way to construct mirrors that allow them to see further and capture more detailed images. Like the other telescope found in South America, this one will also head straight to Chile.

Hubble Space Telecsope – $2.1 billion

This is a famous telescope that was launched into space in 1990. People old enough to remember will remember than April 25, 1990 was a big day in the world of space exploration. In fact, many people gathered around the watch coverage of the event.

(Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Written by Tiffany Raiford

Tiffany Raiford is a lifelong Floridian, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother of four littles (two girls and boy/girl twins...no, they are not identical and yes, I'm sure). My kids love to whine, so I love to wine. My loves include nap time, bed time, date night, travel and evenings and weekends when my husband is home because he handles all diaper changes.