Brazil unveils state-of-the-art telescope to monitor space debris

The largest of its kind in Brazil, the Pico dos Dias Observatory sits at an altitude of 1,864 meters above sea level, on a hill to the south of Minas Gerais state. Operated by Brazil’s national astrophysics laboratory — linked to the Science and Technology Ministry — it is home to four telescopes, the largest of which came into use only last month.

Made in Russia, the brand-new telescope has been in assembly since last year. Its 75-centimeter aperture allows it to have a broader field of view than any other telescope in use in Brazil.

The result of a partnership signed last April between Russian space agency Roscosmos and the Science Ministry — to the tune of BRL 10 million (USD 1.95 million) — the device will be used to monitor space debris and flag up any potential collisions with Earth, satellites, or other defunct objects in space.

The agreement...