The VLT consists of four 8 meter telescopes that can be used separately or linked together as a giant interferometerA few days after we visited La Silla we went to the telescopes that defined astronomy in the 2000’s: the VLT (Very Large Telescope) at Paranal.
These telescopes are a couple of hours from Antofagasta, a desolate plain utterly devoid of life. The dryness of the area makes Tucson look like an oasis by comparison. Thus the shock of the astronomer’s hotel… It is built into the side of the mountain; from the road, all you can see is a small dome:
Entering the astronomer’s hotel. The trees are the only vegetation outside for miles and miles…But once you go through the airlock double-doors, you find yourself in a moist rainforest environment!
To the right of this photo is a lush garden surrounding a swimming pool!In fact, the setting is so dramatic, it was used in the James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace”…
But the best part was being in the dome of one of the 8.2 meter telescopes as it was being prepared for observing that night…
The VLT telescopes are too big for mirror covers, so they are tilted to the side when the dome is opened. This panorama gives a sense of the scale