The Very Large Telescope is one of the most advanced astronomical instruments in history. It is operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The ESO is celebrating 15 years of the Very Large Telescope on Saturday, May 25.
© ESOThe Very Large Telescope is one of the most advanced astronomical instruments in history. It is operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The ESO is celebrating 15 years of the Very Large Telescope on Saturday, May 25.
The Very Large Telescope is one of the most advanced astronomical instruments in history. It is operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The ESO is celebrating 15 years of the Very Large Telescope on Saturday, May 25.
© ESOThe Very Large Telescope is located in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. The first of the VLT four unit telescopes “opened its eye” on May 25, 1998. Photo: NGC 2359, an emission nebula in the constellation Canis Major.
The Very Large Telescope is located in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. The first of the VLT four unit telescopes “opened its eye” on May 25, 1998. Photo: NGC 2359, an emission nebula in the constellation Canis Major.
© ESOThe VLT consists of four unit telescopes, each with a primary mirror measuring 8.2m across, and four movable 1.8m-diameter auxiliary telescopes.
The VLT consists of four unit telescopes, each with a primary mirror measuring 8.2m across, and four movable 1.8m-diameter auxiliary telescopes.
© ESOThe VLT operates at visible and infrared wavelengths. Photo: The Horsehead Nebula.
The VLT operates at visible and infrared wavelengths. Photo: The Horsehead Nebula.
© ESOThe observatory is the world's most complex array of ground-based telescopes. The VLT is the world’s most powerful optical instrument. Photo: The NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 galaxies, also known as the “Eyes.”
The observatory is the world's most complex array of ground-based telescopes. The VLT is the world’s most powerful optical instrument. Photo: The NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 galaxies, also known as the “Eyes.”
© ESOOnly the Hubble Space Telescope has the edge on the VLT among optical instruments in terms of the amount of research material collected.
Only the Hubble Space Telescope has the edge on the VLT among optical instruments in terms of the amount of research material collected.
© ESOAn image of a brown dwarf obtained using the VLT.
An image of a brown dwarf obtained using the VLT.
© ESOThe NGC 3603 young star cluster lies 22,000 light-years away from the Sun.
The NGC 3603 young star cluster lies 22,000 light-years away from the Sun.