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Thousands of eyes on the sky: 4MOST sees first light

21 October 2025: Over the weekend, the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) successfully completed its first test observations. Installed on the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA), an ESO telescope in Chile, 4MOST is the largest facility of its kind to survey the southern skies. It is expected to capture and analyse the light of more than 25 million different objects during its first five years of operation, to unravel our galactic history, explore the mysteries of dark matter, and investigate the origins of stars, among many other science goals. This instrument is designed to capture the light of thousands of cosmic objects simultaneously, using more than 2400 thin optical fibres, each about the width of a human hair. This light is then directed to three separate spectrographs that split it into up to 18 000 colour components (in the visible light range from violet to red), giving us individual spectra. ...

annlang25002-de-en — Announcement

President of Germany visits ESO’s Headquarters in Garching

2 September 2025: The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, along with a delegation of representatives including the Bavarian State Minister for European and International Affairs, Eric Beißwenger, have concluded a visit to ESO’s Headquarters in Garching bei München, Germany. The President was provided an opportunity to learn about recent ESO developments, following his visit to ESO sites in Chile in March 2025, in addition to touring engineering and outreach facilities at ESO’s German site. The President, Bavarian State Minister and delegation were welcomed by ESO Director General, Xavier Barcons, and introduced to members of ESO’s top-level management in Garching and in Chile. This group consisted of Claudia Burger, Director of Administration; Andreas Kaufer, Director of Operations; Sara Krauss, Director of Engineering; and Adrian Russell, Director of Programmes. ESO Director General Barcons said: “It’s an honour to welcome Federal President Steinmeier at our headquarters in Garching, Germany, following his ...

ann25006 — Announcement

Final design for new VLT instrument CUBES completed

7 August 2025: The Cassegrain U-Band Efficient Spectrograph (CUBES), a future instrument for ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), has successfully passed its Final Design Review. With ESO giving the go-ahead to manufacture the instrument, the VLT is one step closer to acquiring a dedicated ultraviolet eye on the sky. CUBES will search for water in the asteroid belt and explore the ultraviolet cosmic background, among other science cases. ESO has now approved the construction of CUBES, a ground-based spectrograph capable of dedicated observations at ultraviolet or UV radiation at 300-400 nm, a region of the light spectrum never before explored with such high sensitivity with large telescopes. Observing in the ultraviolet from the ground is incredibly difficult due to the Earth’s atmosphere blocking most of the photons in this range of light, while space telescopes are typically too small to be able to see far-away and faint objects in this wavelength range. This ...

annlang25005-es-cl-en — Announcement

Joint Committee ESO-Government of Chile opens its national call for proposals for 2025

24 July 2025: The Joint Committee ESO-Government of Chile has opened its national financing fund for 2025, which will award more than 500 million Chilean pesos. The skies of northern Chile provide the best conditions for astronomical observation in the world. For this reason, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has been designing, building, and operating observatories in northern Chile for more than 60 years. La Silla, Paranal, ALMA, and the upcoming CTAO-S and Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) are part of ESO's infrastructure, making it the most important organization for ground-based astronomical observation. In order to promote scientific and technological development in Chile through astronomy, ESO and the Chilean government have been funding projects since 1995 that encourage astronomical research, training of highly skilled personnel, technology development, and science education and outreach. ESO finances and administers this annual fund as part of its scientific cooperation program with Chile, the host country for all of ...

ann25005 — Announcement

Contract signed for construction of CTAO-South roads and telescope foundations

3 July 2025: This week, a major contract, worth several million Euros, has been signed between ESO and a consortium of Chilean companies for the construction of telescope foundations for the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory’s (CTAO’s) southern hemisphere array (CTAO-South) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. The contract includes more than 50 foundations for CTAO-South telescopes, as well as approximately 17 km of roads connecting these foundations to the support facilities. ESO, a founding member of the CTAO European Research Infrastructure Consortium and host of its southern array, signed the contract on behalf of this international organisation. The construction of this important civil infrastructure is expected to take one year, paving the way for the first telescopes to be erected on site. Therefore, this milestone marks the beginning of the array’s construction in the southern hemisphere. The CTAO will be the largest and most powerful ground-based observatory for gamma-ray astronomy. It is composed ...

annlang25004-nl-be-en — Announcement

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians visit ESO’s Paranal Observatory

26 June 2025: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians have completed a visit to the Paranal Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, home to ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the future Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), among other world-class facilities. This is the King’s second visit to ESO sites in Chile, after his prior visit in 2011 as the heir apparent. The delegation was hosted by ESO Director General Xavier Barcons, alongside the ESO Director of the La Silla Paranal Observatory Thomas Klein and the ESO Representative in Chile Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo. Their Majesties the King and Queen started their visit with a tour of the ELT construction site, guided by the ESO ELT Programme Manager Roberto Tamai. Later, they had the opportunity to visit SPECULOOS (Search for Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars), a Belgium-led facility sited at Paranal, and to see some of the facilities that make up the VLT and ...

annlang25001-de-en — Announcement

German Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space and Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts visit ESO Headquarters

23 June 2025: Today, Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space of the Federal Republic of Germany visited the ESO Headquarters in Garching bei München, Germany. She was joined by the Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts Markus Blume. Both ministers were welcomed to the site by ESO’s Director General Xavier Barcons, before meeting an ESO delegation that included the Director of Engineering Sara Krauss and the Director of La Silla Paranal Observatory Thomas Klein. This visit provided an excellent opportunity for the Ministers to learn more about ESO’s contributions to technology and research, and to strengthen the links between ESO and Germany, a founding member and host state of the ESO headquarters. It’s the first time Dorothee Bär, who took over her current role just six weeks ago, visits ESO’s premises. Federal Minister Bär said: "After 30 years, the two topics space and astronomy are once again part ...

ann25004 — Announcement

ESO Annual Report 2024 now available

18 June 2025: The ESO Annual Report 2024 is now available online, offering an engaging and high-level overview of ESO’s activities from the past year. The report was approved by the ESO Council earlier this month. Among the highlights are: The launch of Expanding Horizons, the process to identify ESO’s next innovative ground-based programme. Progress made in the construction of ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), including the coating of the first segments of the primary mirror. A selection of the fascinating scientific results published during 2024 using observations from ESO facilities. How ESO contributes to and engages with society and our communities in our Member States, Chile as the Host State of our observatories, our Strategic Partner Australia, and beyond. ESO’s work to protect dark and quiet skies. News from the La Silla Paranal Observatory and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), as well as forthcoming instruments and upgrades. Technology development and R&D ...

ann25003 — Announcement

Record 1200 studies using ESO data published in 2024

16 June 2025: More than 1200 studies using data from ESO’s facilities were published last year, a record high. This is the eighth consecutive year where observations conducted at ESO’s observatories have led to more than 1000 scientific publications. The ESO Library, Documentation, and Information Services Department has updated their detailed statistics on publications using ESO data presenting each facility's contributions in 2024 [1]. The data were presented to ESO Council earlier this month. As in previous years, the most productive ESO facilities continue to be the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and its interferometer (VLTI), which last year yielded data included in over 700 studies, a record high. VLT highlights include the observation of the awakening of a massive black hole at a galaxy’s core and the discovery of a planet orbiting Barnard’s star, the closest single star to our Sun, while the VLTI was used to take the first close-up picture of ...

annlang25004-es-cl-en — Announcement

Dark Skies Council: International astronomical observatories join forces to protect Chile's skies

3 June 2025: Faced with the growing risk that light pollution represents for the development of astronomy in Chile, the main international observatories with a presence in the country have formed a joint organization dedicated to protecting the dark skies of northern Chile. The council will act through Fundación Cielos de Chile and the Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Northern Chilean Sky (OPCC), with the objective of coordinating strategies and articulating actions in the face of the advance of light pollution. Light pollution is increasing by 9.6% each year, according to a study published in Science magazine. Chile's skies are also being affected by this phenomenon and it is estimated that a 10% increase in sky brightness would mean a loss of 12.07% of the original capacity of the optical telescopes located in the country. In response to this problem, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), ...

ann25002 — Announcement

Celebrations held as dome of ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope reaches its peak

16 April 2025: ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) recently hit an important symbolic milestone: with the structure of one of the dome’s sliding doors now fully installed — and much of the other also up — construction on the ELT dome has reached its highest point. The occasion was celebrated today in Garching, Germany, where ESO hosted an event at its headquarters for industrial and institutional partners, as well as at the construction site atop Cerro Armazones in Chile, in what is known as the Topping Out — or Roofing — Ceremony. This ceremony, also known as the Tijerales in Chile, featured ESO and Chilean flags being raised atop the telescope dome, and a traditional barbecue for the hardworking people at the construction site. The Tijerales was attended by Governor Ricardo Díaz, representing the Antofagasta Region, where the ELT is located. In Garching, the event featured presentations, networking and a lunch buffet, with ...

annlang25003-es-cl-en — Announcement

Members of the European Parliament visit ESO offices in Santiago

20 March 2025: On 19 March, ESO had the pleasure of hosting European Union politicians, administrators and advisors, including 4 Members of the European Parliament, in its Vitacura offices in Santiago, Chile. The group consisted of representatives from several European countries, including ESO Member States Austria, Italy, and Spain. The delegation was hosted by Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo, ESO’s Representative in Chile and Andreas Kaufer, ESO’s Director of Operations, and learnt about ESO’s observatories and the key role the pristine dark skies of Northern Chile play in making cutting-edge astronomical discoveries possible. De Gregorio-Monsalvo also emphasised the importance of protecting this heritage and the value of ESO facilities, especially at ESO’s Paranal Observatory, which is currently threatened by an industrial complex planned nearby. Our Vitacura offices host students, astronomers, and technicians who work with data gathered at the remote observatories of Paranal, La Silla and Chajnantor, acting as a local hub for scientific activity. ...

ann25001 — Announcement

Telescope first light for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope now planned for March 2029

14 March 2025: As a result of delays experienced during construction, ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is now set to make its first test observations at the beginning of 2029, with “telescope first light” expected in March 2029. Afterwards, the first instruments will be installed and commissioned, leading to “scientific first light” in December 2030. This updated ELT schedule has been put in place after several of the telescope contracts suffered delays. The reasons for these delays are not untypical for such large, cutting-edge projects, ranging from harsh weather conditions at the construction site, to technological developments taking longer than expected, and equipment failing during manufacturing. After the telescope sees first light, it will be optimised before receiving its first scientific instruments. ESO’s ELT is now expected to deliver the first scientific observations in December 2030. With this revised schedule, ESO wants to ensure the telescope and its instruments are ready to deliver ...

annlang25002-es-cl-en — Announcement

President of Germany visits ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile

6 March 2025: The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his delegation have completed a visit to ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Northern Chile, home to some of the most advanced ground-based telescopes in the world. The visit marks the first time a German President has visited ESO’s facilities in Chile. Yesterday, President Steinmeier and his delegation were welcomed by ESO’s Director General Xavier Barcons at the Paranal Residencia, before heading for a visit of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and its interferometer (VLTI) guided by ESO’s Representative in Chile, Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo and the Director of the La Silla–Paranal Observatory, Thomas Klein. “It’s an honour to welcome President Steinmeier to ESO’s Paranal Observatory. A founding member state of ESO and the host to our headquarters, Germany has made very significant contributions to ESO over the past decades,” said ESO’s Director General Xavier Barcons. “We are grateful for the country’s unfailing support and look ...

annlang25001-es-cl-en — Announcement

Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo is ESO’s new Representative in Chile

7 January 2025: This month, Spanish astrophysicist Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo became ESO’s new Representative in Chile. She takes over the position from Luis Chavarría, who held the role since 2021. The ESO Representation Office in Chile acts as a bridge between ESO and Chilean society, fostering collaborations with national and local authorities across the host country. De Gregorio-Monsalvo will be the first woman to lead this office. “I am honoured for the opportunity to strengthen the longstanding friendship with Chile, working together to explore the Universe while preserving the country’s pristine skies,” says De Gregorio-Monsalvo. “Inspiring future generations of scientists through the power of diversity as a driver of innovation and collaboration is one of my goals. I believe astronomy is a strong force for societal change and development, and I am committed to contribute to solidifying Chile’s position as the world’s astronomy capital." Itziar de Gregorio-Monsalvo has a PhD in astrophysics from ...

annlang24007-es-cl-en — Announcement

ESO–Chile Joint Committee 2024 announces its winners

18 December 2024: The ESO–Government of Chile Joint Committee has announced the results for the 2024 period, with a total of 625 million Chilean pesos to be distributed. The funds will be invested primarily in initiatives dedicated to the development of scientific and technological research, fostering cooperation in the field of astronomy, and supporting astronomy dissemination and education projects in Chile. This year, the Joint Committee received 80 eligible applications, of which 20 were selected as winners across six thematic areas. Of these proposals, 35% will support scientific research, while 20% will be allocated to projects for the dissemination and education of astronomical science in Chile. An example is the support for Chilean students to travel to the 2025 Latin American Astronomy and Astronautics Olympiad, an international inter-school competition that annually brings together students and teachers from 11 Latin American countries. Furthermore, the Joint Committee will continue funding projects aimed at preserving Chile’s ...

ann24020 — Announcement

Join us on new social media spaces — BlueSky, Instagram Broadcast, LinkedIn Newsletter, Mastodon, Threads and WhatsApp Broadcast

17 December 2024: ESO has joined several new spaces where we wish to continue engaging with audiences that are interested in astronomy. Follow our BlueSky account where we will share our most important content, as well as news interesting for our scientific community. Join our Instagram Broadcast channel to discover our most fascinating content, especially if you are a content creator yourself. Sign up to our LinkedIn Newsletter, especially addressed to professionals in the astronomy field. Follow us on Mastodon to engage with us on our most important discoveries, news about our telescopes and other items of interest for our community of scientists, engineers and other professionals. Our Threads channel is back on to connect with users who prefer this space. Join our WhatsApp Broadcast channel to stay up to date with our most important news. These changes represent adaptations to our audiences’ interests and to ways that the platforms offer us to ...

ann24019 — Announcement

PLATO Spec, the new instrument at ESO’s La Silla Observatory is now ready for exoplanet research

16 December 2024: Twenty years after its decommissioning, the ESO 1.52-m telescope hosted at our La Silla Observatory in Chile, has been given new life. Its brand-new PLATO Spec instrument, a high-resolution spectrograph developed by a consortium led by the Czech Academy of Sciences, has now seen first light. The 50-year-old telescope was refurbished in 2022 and, with this new instrument, it’s now ready to make new cutting-edge astronomical discoveries. PLATO Spec, which will conduct observations in visible light, has been designed to screen stars with potential exoplanets — planets orbiting stars other than the Sun. The instrument will help find the most promising stars hosting exoplanet candidates by detecting changes in the host star’s light, as it wobbles due to the planet’s gravitational pull. It is so precise that it will be able to detect changes on a star’s velocity down to just 3 m/s, which is equivalent to a person running ...

annlang24006-es-cl-en — Announcement

Ambassadors from ESO Member States gather to discuss the importance of northern Chile’s dark skies

28 November 2024: On Tuesday, November 26, at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) offices in Santiago, ambassadors from its Member States gathered to discuss the importance of protecting the dark skies of northern Chile. This region hosts the world’s leading international astronomical projects of recent decades. The ambassadors were welcomed by ESO's management team, which was led by Xavier Barcons, Director General; Andreas Kaufer, Director of Operations; Thomas Klein, Director of ESO’s La Silla - Paranal Observatory; and Luis Chavarría and Itziar de Gregorio, ESO’s Representative and Deputy Representative in Chile, respectively. The meeting took place in the context of implementing Chile’s new lighting regulation, which became effective last October. This new regulatory framework aims to control artificial light emissions and prevent light pollution nationwide. Additionally, it includes special rules for 29 municipalities declared as Areas of Scientific Value for Astronomical Observation by Chile’s Ministry of Science. The La Silla, Paranal, and ALMA ...

annlang24001-it-en — Announcement

Italian Deputy Prime Minister visits ESO Headquarters

15 November 2024: Today, Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy, visited the ESO Headquarters in Garching bei München, Germany, together with Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Germany. They were joined by Sergio Maffettone, Consul General of Italy in Munich, and a small delegation. The visitors had the opportunity to learn more about ESO, its cutting-edge science and technology, and the role Italy plays in its projects. Roberto Ragazzoni, President of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics and ESO Council Member, was also present. The visitors were welcomed by Adrian Russell, ESO Director of Programmes, Laura Comendador Frutos, Head of the Executive Office of the Director General at ESO, Roberto Tamai, ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) Programme Manager, and Michele Cirasuolo, ESO Instrumentation Manager. The ELT project is one of the ESO activities where the involvement from Italian ...

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