Gems logo

This is the logo for ESO’s Cosmic Gems programme.  This is an initiative to produce spectacular astronomical images using small amounts of time on the organisation’s telescopes for the purposes of education and public outreach. This will allow ESO to continue to supply the public with spectacular colour pictures, and maintain its world-leading position in astronomy education and outreach.The first image to come out of this initiative shows a peculiar pair of galaxies — and it is a stunning testament to the optical quality of the VLT and the skies over the Paranal Observatory.