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 companies and institutions is particularly strong: a consortium of Italian companies is constructing the dome and telescope structure, in what was the most expensive ground-based astronomy contract ever awarded.

After a presentation about ESO and the ELT by Russell and Tamai, the visitors had a chance to meet a group of Italian staff working at ESO. 

Contacts

Bárbara Ferreira
ESO Media Manager
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6670
Email: press@eso.org