Very Large Telescope
Videos
The Very Large Telescope is an astronomical facility operated since 1998 by the European Southern Observatory, located on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. It consists of four ind
The four Unit Telescopes that form the VLT together with the four Auxiliary Telescopes (VST at right)
VLT's four Unit Telescopes
Laser used for adaptive optics. It excites sodium atoms in the atmosphere and creates a laser guide star.
Upgrading Yepun (UT4) with the "Adaptive Optics Facility" in 2012
Extremely Large Telescope
Videos
The Extremely Large Telescope is an astronomical observatory under construction. When completed, it will be the world's largest optical and mid-infrared extremely large telescope. Part of the European
Very Large Telescope
…atmospheric turbulence generated by wind turbines, vibrations, and construction dust would severely disrupt operations at both the VLT and the future Extremely Large Telescope. Following the opposition, AES Andes announced the cancellation of the INNA project in January 2026 and formally withdrew it from Chile's Environmental…
Artist's impression of the ELT
ESO Council meets at ESO headquarters in Garching bei München, Germany, 2012.
ELT construction status in April 2026
Cerro Armazones at night (2010)