ESO Astronomy

01/09/2026

Today, 1 September 2026, Andreas Kaufer begins his term as ESO's Director General.

He succeeds Xavier Barcons, who has served as ESO’s Director General from 2017 until the end of his term on 31 August 2026.

Andreas takes up the role as the construction of ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) approaches its final stages, ALMA undergoes a major upgrade, and ESO begins the search for its next programme.

Discover what his priorities will be directly from him here ➡️

In this video, featuring an interview filmed at ESO’s office in Vit...

31/08/2026

A rare snowy day for the ELT ❄️

Two weeks ago northern Chile was affected by severe weather. It caused damage to several cities and brought snow to ESO's observatories, leaving stunning imagery like this drone video of our Extremely Large Telescope.

These are extremely infrequent weather events, but even under normal conditions the Atacama Desert is still a harsh environment. Thankfully the domes of our telescopes, including the ELT, shield them from their surroundings.

Learn more: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2635a/

📹 E. Sech/Cimolai/ESO

24/08/2026

A bubbling Betelgeuse ⭐️ 🫧

Taken with ALMA Observatory, this is one of the most detailed views yet of the surface of the iconic star Betelgeuse.

The star's surface is uneven and lumpy, with peaks and troughs originating from giant bubbles of hot gas rising from deep within the star to its surface.

Yet something is puzzling astronomers — and Betelgeuse's close companion star, recently suggested by observations with ESO’s Very Large Telescope, could be behind it.

Discover more: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2634a/

📷 ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/W. Dent et al.

20/08/2026

Nature can be fierce and unexpected. Over the past days, unusually severe weather has affected northern Chile, where ESO's observatories are located.

This severe weather brought snow to Paranal and to the Extremely Large Telescope's construction site. It left stunning images like the ones below, while causing severe flooding and other damage to several cities within the Antofagasta Region.

This weather also affected ESO’s La Silla observing site, leading to the temporary suspension of scientific operations.

As weather conditions are now finally improving, operations are slowly returning to normal at all sites.

📷 Enrico Sech
📷 Enrico Sech
📷 Armando Canu
📷 Cristian Soto
📷 VLT we**am
📷 Armando Canu
📷 Armando Canu

20/08/2026

ICYMI Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer, astronomers have found a star that’s breaking records!

➡️ It’s the fastest star known in our galaxy
➡️ It comes closer to the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole than any other star found before.

This makes it the first star that could allow astronomers to measure the black hole’s spin.

Check out our video summary 🎥 👇

Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF3017r3dV4

Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2612/

19/08/2026

One for the record books 🏅

ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer has discovered the fastest known star in our galaxy. Named S301, it orbits Sagittarius A* — the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way — reaching speeds of 25 000 kilometres per second.

S301 also comes closer to Sagittarius A* than any other star observed so far, at around the distance of Saturn to the Sun.

This is close enough for its orbit to be influenced by the black hole's rotation, making S301 the first star that could be used to directly measure the spin of Sagittarius A*.

Read the full story: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2612/

Image by ESO/GRAVITY collaboration

17/08/2026

A lovely read!

For last week’s , ESO Fellow Mar Carretero Castrillo returned to her remote village in Spain, right in the path of totality — and brought the wonder of the eclipse closer to the local community.

The New York Times has told this story:

Mar Carretero-Castrillo, an astrophysicist, returned to her remote village in Spain to be in the path of totality. Hundreds of partygoers came too.

17/08/2026

A giant made of many 📡

These are just a few of the 66 antennas that make up the international ALMA Observatory, in which ESO is a partner.

They work together rather than as separate telescopes, allowing astronomers to study some of the coldest material in the Universe — including clouds of gas and dust where stars are born and discs where planets take shape — in great detail.

How is this done?
Find out: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2633a/

📷 A. Russell/ESO

12/08/2026

The day has finally arrived! 🌞🌑

Today, a total solar eclipse will sweep across a narrow path mainly through Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. In Spain, the partial phase will begin at around 19:30 local time, with totality starting at approximately 20:30. To get in the mood, enjoy this totally eclipsed Sun, captured on 9 March 2016 👇

Beyond the path of totality, many other regions will still be treated to a partial eclipse.

If you are in Munich, join us at the ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre for a day dedicated to the eclipse, featuring a rich programme and a live stream of the event: https://supernova.eso.org/programme/detail/es1269/

Not in Munich and can’t see the eclipse from where you are? 😢
Don’t worry, you can still join the experience! Follow the livestream by ESA - European Space Agency : https://www.youtube.com/live/DRDx2xDR8NA

⚠️ One last thing: never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection, even during a partial eclipse. Make sure you use certified eclipse glasses or other appropriate solar filters.

📷 ESO/ Petr Horálek Photography /Solar Wind Sherpas project

10/08/2026

The night shift begins.

At ESO’s Paranal Observatory, sunset does not mark the end of the day. Instead, it signals the beginning of a night under the stars. And this image captures one of those moments.

Taken after dinner, just before heading to the telescopes for a night of observing, it shows the last rays of sunlight slicing through one of the corridors at the Residencia — a home away from home for astronomers and other staff members working at Paranal.

Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/images/potw2632a/

📷 L. Sbordone/ESO