Very Large Telescope, Astronomical observatory on Cerro Paranal, Antofagasta Region, Chile
The Very Large Telescope is an astronomical observatory on Cerro Paranal in northern Chile, consisting of four main telescopes with mirrors measuring 8.2 meters (27 feet) in diameter and four auxiliary telescopes with 1.8-meter (6-foot) mirrors. The facility sits in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth, where the exceptionally clear air favors sky observation.
The European Southern Observatory started the project in 1977 and selected Cerro Paranal as the site in 1990, after which construction began. The facility entered operation gradually between 1998 and 2001, making the observatory one of the most important instruments in modern astronomy.
The four main telescopes carry names in the Mapuche language: Antu stands for Sun, Kueyen for Moon, Melipal for Southern Cross, and Yepun for Venus. These names reflect the connection between European research and the indigenous culture of the region.
The observatory stands at 2635 meters on Cerro Paranal, reached by a road from the coast; the site records about 350 clear nights a year. Temperatures fall sharply after sunset even in summer, so bring warm layers. The four Unit Telescopes and the four movable Auxiliary Telescopes are arranged along the summit platform.
The telescopes can work independently or combine their capabilities through interferometry to reach the resolution of a 200-meter (656-foot) telescope. This technique allows observers to detect details that would be impossible to see with a single telescope.
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