Press Release

New Views of the Paranal Observatory

17 July 1997

The following seven photos are part of an extensive series that was obtained in mid-June 1997. The first three are aerial views which demonstrate the good progress of the extensive work at the top of the mountain where the four large enclosures for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes, the interferometric tunnel system and the control building are now steadily approaching completion.

It may also be interesting to compare these images with those obtained about 6 months earlier, . There is also an evening view.

The series furthermore includes two photos from inside the enclosures for Unit Telescopes 1 and 2, showing some of the heavy mechanical parts of the telescope structures in place. 'First light' with UT1 is now only months away.

Finally, there is a general view of the Paranal site, with the construction areas of the various auxiliary facilities, in particular the large maintenance building, and the basecamp in the foreground.

Connect with ESO on social media