One of the most powerful telescopes the world has seen has been used for the first time from its Hawaiian base, controlled by Sussex technology.
The Gemini North telescope, which is ten times more powerful than anything currently in use, is operated with software created by Eastbourne-based Observatory Sciences.
The firm provided technology to guide the telescope from sea level in Hawaii.
The instrument itself stands at 14,000 feet at the summit of the Mauna Kea mountain.
Observatory Sciences director Philip Taylor explained: "It's very difficult to observe from the mountain. It's a very hostile environment up there.
"It is all remotely controlled and operated by computer systems. The Hawaiian project is still very new."
Theoretically, the Sussex software could be used to move the lens from anywhere in the world.
Sussex astronomer Patrick Moore said the Gemini North telescope was among the most important in the world.
He added: "It is one of the major telescopes. It will improve our knowledge of the world no end."
The telescope is part of the £100 million Gemini Project. It has a mirror over eight metres in diameter, giving mankind its best view yet of the universe.
Observatory Sciences is no stranger to high-value contracts.
It maintains, develops and processes information for a Ministry of Defence network of optical sensors tracking satellites in space. It will not give details of this work.
The firm's software will be used to control Gemini North's sister device, Gemini South, which will observe from the Cerro Pachon mountain in northern Chile. This is expected to go live next year.
Observatory Sciences received a contract worth $215,000 last week to continue working on the second telescope.
Astronomers hope the telescopes will let them study the formation of stars and learn more about how the universe was formed and how it might end.
Britain has invested £30 million in the Gemini Project, roughly a third of the total cost. It has been funded by a six-nation consortium which also includes the U.S., Canada, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
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