Midnight Observatory

"DISTANT WORLDS ADRIFT ON FUJIN'S WINDS"

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This article takes place in the 26th century of Distant Worlds.

Overview

The Midnight Observatory is a massive, ground-based optical telescope located on the surface of Wolf Totem, Heart of Tengri system. Renowned for its clarity and scale, it is among the largest telescopes in the Edelweiss Galaxy and stands as a centerpiece of the SnowStorm Union’s scientific achievements.

With a primary mirror measuring an impressive 80 meters in diameter, the Observatory is capable of observing both nearby and distant galaxies with moderate to high detail, making it a critical asset for deep-space research and cosmological exploration.

History

The construction of the Midnight Observatory marked a turning point in intergalactic astronomy in Edelweiss. Initially conceptualized as a research dock aboard an orbital outpost station, the design was eventually reimagined as a surface-based observatory, taking advantage of Wolf Totem's stable highland plateaus and low atmospheric interference high in mountains.

The project was spearheaded by the SnowStorm Union, with major funding and material support from Diavolo, SnowStorm’s second colony world. To reduce costs and accelerate development, engineers repurposed navigational sensor arrays from decommissioned orbital ships, transforming them into advanced optical systems.

Originally, the telescope was intended to have a 45-meter mirror, but after further consultations with astrophysicists and cosmologists, the design was revised to a grander scale. The resulting 80-meter mirror vastly increased its observational capabilities—particularly in viewing the distant reaches of the early universe.

Today, there are ongoing discussions and proposals to expand the mirror to an enormous 150 meters, which would make it the largest optical telescope in known space.

A highly-redshifted Milky Way.

Though its original purpose was modest, the Midnight Observatory has since evolved into a multi-role scientific facility. Its primary mission is the observation of primordial light and distant structures, playing a vital role in the advancement of the Theory of the Fractal Universe and M Cosmology, particularly in understanding galaxy formation, universal geometry, and the fundamental nature of spacetime.

The grand achievement of the observatory was redshifted photograph of Milky Way galaxy from Edelweiss, demonstrating the distance that Bridge closest the gap.