Grand Prisme Objectif telescope (decommissioned)

The Grand Prisme Objectif is a copy of a telescope installed at the Observatoire de Haute Provence in France. One half of the telescope is a 40-centimetre objective prism for obtaining the spectra of many objects at the same time. The other telescope is for guiding. The GPO was first operated in Zeekoegat, South Africa from 1961. The Grand Prisme Objectif was ESO's only refracting (lens) telescope.

More information about the GPO's French "twin" is at the Grand Prisme Objectif external page.

Science goals

Astrometry, stellar spectra for classification and radial velocities, minor planet discovery.