Blue flash at Paranal

ESO staff Guillaume Blanchard was able to capture the rather rare blue flash while observing the sunset on Christmas eve from the Paranal Residencia. The image was taken with a digital camera attached to a telescope with a 480-mm focal length. The very intense blue seen on the image, as well as the purple edges, do not leave any doubt on the reality of the phenomenon. Please remember that looking at the Sun, especially through an optical device (camera, telescope, binoculars, etc.), is very dangerous, and could cause immediate blindness. Do not attempt to observe the Sun unless you know what you are doing.