ARCturus

ESO, the European Southern Observatory, introduces itself on the website as ‘The leading astronomical organization in Europe and the world’s most productive astronomical research centre’. ESO provides the researchers with the most advanced tools and equipment.

ESO was founded in 1962. Its main task, in addition to providing high quality tools, is to offer the best circumstances for high level scientific research. ESO aims to prepare more and more efficient telescopes as well as enhance the development of high technology products for the needs of astronomical research.

ESO has its headquarters in Garching, Germany.  In Chile, ESO has a research centre plus three observatories in the mountains: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. The latest special project is this: ESO prepares a 39 metres ELT-telescope (Extremely Large Telescope). According to the website, it will be ‘the largest eye in the world observing the sky’.

In the headquarters of ESO, in Garching, there is an educational office for serving schools and teachers in many ways. In addition to the research activities in the observatories built in the high mountains around the world, the educational office provides teaching materials and information for the schools and teachers. ESO arranges courses for both teachers and students, meeting the needs of and offering appropriate educational levels to everyone. Also, on agreement, also visits to the research centre are possible.

(www.eso.org)

 

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