Leonhard Euler Telescope, Reflecting telescope at La Silla Observatory, Chile
The Leonhard Euler Telescope is a reflecting telescope with a 1.2-meter primary mirror operating at 2,375 meters elevation in Chile's Norte Chico region. It is equipped with the CORALIE spectrograph, which measures stellar radial velocities for astronomical research.
The telescope was inaugurated in 1998 and made its first major discovery shortly after by detecting a planet orbiting Gliese 86. These early successes established its role in exoplanet detection research.
The observatory bears the name of Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler and represents scientific cooperation between Switzerland and Chile. This connection links European research heritage with modern observations of the southern sky.
The observatory sits at high altitude in Chile's arid Andes, where clear air conditions are excellent for precise astronomical observations. The remote location requires planning to reach, but offers minimal light pollution and favorable sky conditions.
The instrument has a fixed spectral resolution of 50,000, allowing it to capture subtle gravitational effects of planets on their stars. This specialized capability made it a preferred tool for exoplanet discovery during the early years of this research field.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
