Galaxies No Longer Far, Far Away?

What seems to be something straight out of a Science Fiction movie, is moving full throttle ahead. The European - Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) has been designed to look back to the first galaxies, discover smaller planets, further research larger ones (even determine atmospheric details to warrant evidence of life) and more. It's being built in Chile's Atacama Desert atop a 3,000 meter mountain and set to begin operation in 2024.