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VLT telescopes
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VLT telescopes
Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) site at Cerro Paranal in Chile. The VLT comprises four 8.2-metre mirror telescopes (Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun), housed in the buildings seen. They provide images which are combined by interferometry. This gives an image equivalent to that obtained by a 16-metre diameter mirror, making the VLT one of the most powerful telescopes in the world. The mirrors are flexible, and are constantly adjusted by computers to compensate for errors. Cerro Paranal has an altitude of 2600 metres and is situated in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. This gives the site excellent viewing conditions
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Media ID 6447511
© DAVID NUNUK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Astrophysics Atacama Desert Chile Chilean European Southern Observatory Optical Optical Telescope Quartet South America South American Very Large Telescope
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the impressive VLT telescopes, standing tall at the European Southern Observatory's site in Cerro Paranal, Chile. Comprising four massive 8.2-meter mirror telescopes named Antu, Kueyen, Melipal, and Yepun, these structures are a testament to human ingenuity in exploring the vastness of space. What sets the VLT apart is its unique interferometry technique. By combining images captured by each telescope through this method, it effectively simulates a single mirror with a staggering diameter of 16 meters. This remarkable feat makes the VLT one of the most powerful telescopes on our planet. The flexibility of these mirrors allows them to be constantly adjusted by computer systems to compensate for any errors that may arise during observations. Situated at an altitude of 2600 meters in Chile's Atacama Desert – renowned as one of Earth's driest places – Cerro Paranal provides exceptional viewing conditions for astronomers and astrophysicists alike. As we gaze upon this awe-inspiring quartet against a backdrop of clear skies and arid landscapes, we can't help but marvel at humanity's relentless pursuit to unravel the mysteries beyond our world. This print from Science Photo Library serves as a reminder that science knows no bounds when it comes to exploring the wonders of our universe through optical technology like never before seen with ESO's Very Large Telescope.
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