Night Visits to Paranal Observatory
Créditos: ESO/N.Schafer
The skies over northern Chile are considered a natural laboratory unique in the world due to their clarity, low cloud cover, and very low light pollution. This is a key reason why the European Southern Observatory (ESO) chose the regions of Antofagasta and Coquimbo to install its telescopes.
With the aim of sharing this natural and scientific heritage with the community, ESO started offering a Night Visit Programme to its Paranal and La Silla observatories in 2026. These night tours, unique in Chile, are offered on special dates throughout the year, generally in conjunction with national and/or regional events. This is why these activities do not have a fixed schedule. Each new date will be announced via ESO’s instagram page in Chile @eso.chile well in advance to ensure participants can register.
Next night tour: September 26 at the Paranal Observatory, departing from Taltal.
Registration for night tours:
- At this time, there is no advance reservation system for night tours. The only way to register is by following the instructions posted on ESO’s social media accounts in Chile and participating in the process outlined in each announcement.
- This initiative is open to the general public.
The itinerary:
ESO Paranal Observatory:
- Visitors meet at a designated pickup point in the city of Antofagasta or Taltal to head to the observatory (the trip to the observatory takes about an hour and a half to two hours).
Créditos: ESO/S. Troncoso
- The tour lasts approximately three to four hours, during which visitors will receive an introduction at the Visitor Center before heading to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) platform, located at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level.
Créditos: ESO/S. Troncoso
- Depending on weather and operating conditions, visitors will be able to enter one of the Unit Telescopes that make up the VLT and watch as it opens.
Créditos: ESO/S. Troncoso
- The tour also includes watching the sunset from a lookout point overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a visit to the Control Room where astronomers and engineers conduct observations of the Universe.
Créditos: ESO/S. Troncoso
- At the end of the tour, there will be a guided naked-eye observation of the night sky, during which visitors will be able to appreciate the beauty of some of the world’s clearest skies and become familiar with celestial objects visible at that time of year.
Créditos: ESO/S. Troncoso
Useful information:
- The tours are completely free of charge.
- Night tours include round-trip bus transportation from a pickup point in the cities of Antofagasta or Taltal, which will be communicated to confirmed visitors.
- Can I get there on my own?
- No. ESO provides round-trip transportation from the pickup point in the cities of Antofagasta or Taltal only to confirmed visitors. It is not permitted to arrive at the observatory on your own for these tours.
- When is the next night tour?
- Unlike regular day-time Saturday tours, these night tours are held only on specific dates throughout the year, usually in conjunction with special regional or national events. Each new date will be announced on this website and on ESO Chile’s Instagram: @eso.chile.
- All visitors to any ESO facility must read and sign a consent form.
- There is no accommodation available at ESO facilities for visitors.
- For safety reasons, visitors with pacemakers are not permitted inside the telescopes. This is because the electromagnetic fields generated by the instrumentation may interfere with the device.
- For safety reasons, children under 4 years of age are not permitted to visit the observatory.
- Pets are not allowed at the observatory.
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who may be responsible for a maximum of 10 minors.
- Please note that the tour may be canceled in case of adverse weather conditions. If this occurs, you will be notified by phone or email as soon as possible.
During the tour:
- Wear sunglasses, a hat, protective clothing, and sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher.
- Stay hydrated.
- Avoid sudden movements.
- Do not leave trash behind.
- Smoking is not permitted.
- The use of illegal drugs and alcohol is prohibited.
- Flying drones is not permitted.
- If you feel unwell, inform the guide immediately.
- In case of an emergency, follow the instructions of the guide and the emergency coordinator.
- Follow the guide’s instructions at all times during the tour.
- Feel free to ask as many questions as you like!
- You may take photographs without prior authorisation, provided you do not include other people without their consent. We invite you to share your photos and tag us on our social media: Instagram (@esoastronomy and @ESO.Chile), Facebook (@ESOAstronomy and @ESO.Chile).