Astronomers have begun one of the most far-reaching efforts to study the cosmos. They are forging giant new telescopes, while marshaling vast computational power. These technologies are part of a historic quest: to peer into space and time, to find out how the universe gave birth to galaxies and planets, to discern the amazing world of gravity and test theories by Einstein and other scientists.

Astronomers have begun one of the most far-reaching efforts to study the cosmos. They are forging giant new telescopes, while marshaling vast computational power. These technologies are part of a historic quest: to peer into space and time, to find out how the universe gave birth to galaxies and planets, to discern the amazing world of gravity and test theories by Einstein and other scientists.