ESO 0.5-metre telescope (decommissioned)

ESO 0.5-metre telescope

The ESO 0.5-metre telescope was installed on La Silla in 1971. This telescope was a duplicate of the Danish 0.5-metre telescope, and both were manufactured in Copenhagen, Denmark. Initially, it was equipped with a one-channel photometer. It was acquired by ESO in the context of the developments for the control systems of the ESO 3.6-metre telescope, so that these could first be tried out in practice on a small instrument. After 27 years of service, the telescope was decommissioned and moved to the Universidad Católica de Santiago.

Science goals

Stellar photometry, tests control system for 3.6 m.

ESO 0.5-metre telescope

Name: ESO 0.5-metre telescope
Site: La Silla
Altitude: 2375 m
Enclosure: Classical dome
Type: Photometric telescope
Optical design: Cassegrain reflector
Diameter. Primary M1: 0.52 m
Material. Primary M1: N/A
Diameter. Secondary M2: 0.15 m
Material. Secondary M2: N/A
Mount: Equatorial fork mount
First Light date: 7 December 1971
Decommissioning date: 1998. Later moved to Universidad Católica de Santiago
Images taken with the ESO 0.5-metre telescope: Link
Images of the ESO 0.5-metre telescope: Link
Videos of the ESO 0.5-metre telescope: Link
Press releases with the ESO 0.5-metre telescope: Link
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