Teruel to host T150 planetary defense telescope

The Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Teruel, Spain, is preparing to host the T150 telescope, a world-class instrument dedicated to planetary defense and space surveillance. Managed by the Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón (CEFCA), the project is currently in the procurement phase and is expected to begin scientific operations in 2029.

The T150 will feature a 1.5-meter primary mirror and an exceptionally wide field of view, allowing it to scan the entire celestial vault every few days. Its primary mission is to detect and characterize potentially hazardous asteroids and monitor space debris. Researchers estimate the telescope could detect approximately 7,000 asteroids annually, many of which will be new additions to existing catalogs. By providing early detection and precise orbital tracking, the instrument aims to improve the ability to anticipate risks from near-Earth objects.