On the 16^th April 2024, the ESO Directors Team approved a Phase A project to investigate the possibility of installing a second-generation deformable secondary mirror (2GDSM) at the VLT. In addition to providing a full cost and feasibility estimate, the Phase A study will evaluate the best location for the 2GDSM, by investigating the technical and scientific impact of possible combinations of instruments.

The ALMA Observatory is starting the release process of the data acquired in the Observatory Projects 2022.A.00032.S ("A 5-pc-Scale Study of Molecular Clouds in the Antennae") and 2022.A.00034.S ("B3 observation of a super-deep field in HDF-S"). The status of the data delivery can be checked through the corresponding link for each project. The same links can be used to download the data once they are delivered. These ALMA Science Archive links can also be accessed from the main page for the Observatory Projects.

A development study aimed at validating and improving the current atmospheric radiative transfer model implemented for ALMA (atmospheric transmission model, ATM) has been successfully completed. The model is important for both planning and helping in the calibration of ground-based observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths.

On 16 September 2022, Tom Marsh – the founding professor of astrophysics at the University of Warwick – was reported missing on La Silla. On 10 November 2022, the Chilean authorities announced that they had found Tom’s body approximately 2.5 km from the summit. Tom’s family, friends and colleagues, with the considerable help of ESO staff, have recently installed a memorial for him on La Silla.

ESO’s prestigious postdoctoral fellowship programme in both Garching (Germany) and Santiago (Chile) offers outstanding early-career scientists the opportunity to further develop their independent research programmes. From exoplanets to cosmology, observational, theoretical and fundamental astrophysics, these are all areas where ESO Fellows can benefit from a highly dynamic scientific environment, at some of the most advanced ground-based telescopes in the world. Do watch ESOCast 165 to hear what previous ESO fellows have to say about the fellowship programme or watch the virtual tour to ESO’s premises from 2020 or 2021 where young scientists could ask questions about the fellowship programme.

The workshop will focus on understanding the chemical composition and evolution of young star and planet-forming systems, leveraging recent advancements in observational techniques from facilities like ALMA, NOEMA, VLA and JWST. Key questions include how molecular content evolves and influences exoplanet chemistry. The workshop aims to explore current knowledge and limitations, foster collaboration, and provide insights into future observational advancements with upcoming ESO facilities and new instruments. The workshop will take place at ESO Garching (Germany), from 10 to 14 March 2025. Further information including the rationale, the program and the list of invited speakers, can be found at the workshop webpage. Registration and abstract submission will open on October 1.

As announced on June 4^th, 2024 ESO is issuing a call for letters of intent for public surveys with KMOS, with a deadline for submission of 15 October 2024 at 12:00 CEST.

As part of the Decade of discoveries with MUSE workshop being held in Garching from the 18th-22nd of November this year, the conference organisers have issued a data challenge, designed to make progress towards the common problems related to the reduction and analysis of IFS data. More information and participation details are available. The conference organisers welcome submissions from any interested party, all of which will be collated and presented for discussion during the conference.

Are you a PhD student eager to dive into the cutting-edge scientific world at one of the most prestigious observatories on the planet? The ESO research studentship programme offers you a chance to do just that. This exceptional programme is open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related fields. Yo will continue your doctoral research under the formal supervision of your home university, but with the added benefit of spending a minimum of six months (Chile) or one year (Germany), and up to two years at ESO, working closely with a dedicated ESO staff astronomer.

ESO is happy to announce the next La Silla Observing School, which will be held in February 2025 at the ESO premises in Santiago de Chile and at the La Silla Observatory.