European Southern Observatory

Research ServicesBavaria, Germany501-1000 Employees

ESO is a European intergovernmental astronomy organization that provides access to state-of-the-art facilities for researchers. Its headquarters are in Garching, Bavaria, and it runs observing sites in Chile at La Silla, Paranal, and Chajnantor. The organization is supported by sixteen member states along with the host state of Chile and Australia as a Strategic Partner. Its mission, as established in the 1962 Convention, is to enable front-line science by building and operating large ground-based telescopes and related facilities. ESO also notes technology spin-off, high-technology contracts, and opportunities to showcase European industry through its research infrastructure.

A notable recent development is the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, featuring a 39-meter primary mirror.

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