Paranal Observatory

Perched high on the Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the Paranal Observatory is a beacon of astronomical research and a testament to human curiosity. At an altitude of 2,635 meters above sea level, this advanced facility is home to the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the flagship telescope of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

The Paranal Observatory is a planetarium of colossal scale, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with primary mirrors that are 8.2 meters in diameter, and four movable Auxiliary Telescopes, each 1.8 meters in diameter. The telescopes can work together, in groups of two or three, to form a giant 'interferometer', the VLT Interferometer, which allows astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes.

Since its inauguration in 1998, the Paranal Observatory has contributed to significant discoveries in the field of astronomy, including the observation of the furthest known gamma-ray burst and direct imaging of exoplanets. The facility's cutting-edge instruments and technologies, such as adaptive optics, enable it to capture stunningly sharp images of the universe, despite the Earth's atmospheric distortions.

The observatory's remote and arid location was chosen for its exceptionally clear skies, with over 300 sunny days per year, making it one of the best places on Earth for optical and infrared astronomy. The combination of high altitude, dry air, and minimal light pollution creates an ideal environment for peering deep into the cosmos.

Open to the public, the Paranal Observatory offers guided tours that provide a glimpse into the world of professional astronomy. Visitors can marvel at the sophisticated telescopes, learn about the observatory's contributions to science, and, if lucky, enjoy the breathtaking sight of the Milky Way stretching across the unpolluted night sky.