ESO - 1997

Information from the European Southern Observatory

ESO Press Photos 35a-l/97

19 December 1997

For immediate release

High-resolution Images from the M1 Transport

The present collection of twelve high-resolution photographic images illustrates the transport of the first VLT 8.2-m Zerodur mirror (M1) to Paranal. They are suitable for high-quality reproduction and complement the digital, less detailed ESO Press Photos 33a-f/97 which were published one week ago with information about this important event.

The present photos form part of a series obtained with a 6x6 cm Hasselblad camera by one of the professional photographers of the ESO EPR team that accompanied the convoy. The films were shipped to ESO-Garching for development and preparation for this presentation on the web. They have been selected with the specific purpose of providing editors with a choice of different views.

Video recordings were also made and will become available soon.

The cover of the Transport Box with the 8.2-m mirror was removed yesterday evening (Thursday, December 18, 1997). During a careful inspection of the complete mirror surface, no damage was detected.

More information is available at the ESO website about the VLT project.

ESO Press Photo 35a/97
[Preview - JPEG: 835k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2942 - JPEG: 9.0Mb].

View from M/S Tarpon Santiago towards the city of Antofagasta illuminated by the setting sun, just after arrival. The deck covers have been removed and the box with the M1 mirror is ready for unloading from the hold. (Photo obtained on December 6, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35b/97
[Preview - JPEG: 401k]
[High-Res 2494 x 3000 - JPEG: 4.8Mb].

The Transport Box with the M1 mirror is unloaded from the ship. (Photo obtained on December 6, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35c/97
[Preview - JPEG: 576k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2375 - JPEG: 5.6Mb].

The convoy moves slowly along the streets in Antofagasta on a Sunday morning. (Photo obtained on December 7, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35d/97
[Preview - JPEG: 481k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2477 - JPEG: 6.3Mb]

Following a night stop at the point at the `Old Panamericana' turn-off and leaving the early morning fog behind, the convoy moves on towards Paranal. It is escorted by caterpillars that make sure that the gravel road presents no dangerous obstacles for the fragile load. (Photo obtained on December 8, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35e/97
[Preview - JPEG: 409k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2077 - JPEG: 2.7Mb]

General view of the M1 convoy in the stark landscape of the Atacama desert. (Photo obtained on December 8, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35f/97
[Preview - JPEG: 482k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2334 - JPEG: 5.5Mb]

On the road under the blue desert sky, now closer to the Paranal observatory. (Photo obtained on December 8, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35g/97
[Preview - JPEG: 490k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2284 - JPEG: 6.3Mb]

Passing a small elevation on the road. (Photo obtained on December 8, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35h/97
[Preview - JPEG: 495k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2393 - JPEG: 5.5Mb]

Same as 35g/97, but in close-up. Note that the Transport Box with the mirror is kept level. (Photo obtained on December 8, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35i/97
[Preview - JPEG: 366k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2053 - JPEG: 2.3Mb]

At the turn-off towards the Paranal Observatory. Here begins the ascent towards the mountain. (Photo obtained on December 9, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35j/97
[Preview - JPEG: 579k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2175 - JPEG: 5.5Mb]

On the last stretch of road - just before the gate at the base camp. The VLT enclosures at the top of Paranal are well visible in the background. (Photo obtained on December 9, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35k/97
[Preview - JPEG: 540k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2202 - JPEG: 5.5Mb]

Past the gate, near the water-tanks. (Photo obtained on December 9, 1997).

ESO Press Photo 35l/97
[Preview - JPEG: 452k]
[High-Res 3000 x 2202 - JPEG: 3.8Mb]

The trailer with its precious cargo is parked next to the Mirror Maintenance Building at the base camp. (Photo obtained on December 9, 1997).

This is the caption to ESO PR Photo 35a/97 [JPG, 9.0Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35b/97 [JPG, 4.8 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35c/97 [JPG, 5.6 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35d/97 [JPG, 6.3 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35e/97 [JPG, 2.7 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35f/97 [JPG, 5.5 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35g/97 [JPG, 6.3 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35h/97 [JPG, 5.5 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35i/97 [JPG, 2.3 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35j/97 [JPG, 5.5 Mb] , ESO PR Photo 35k/97 [JPG, 5.5 Mb] and ESO PR Photo 35l/97 [JPG, 3.8 Mb] , all of which are high-resolution images.

They are also available in medium-resolution versions: ESO PR Photo 35a/97 [JPG, 835k] , ESO PR Photo 35b/97 [JPG, 401k] , ESO PR Photo 35c/97 [JPG, 576k] , ESO PR Photo 35d/97 [JPG, 481k] , ESO PR Photo 35e/97 [JPG, 409k] , ESO PR Photo 35f/97 [JPG, 482k] , ESO PR Photo 35g/97 [JPG, 490k] , ESO PR Photo 35h/97 [JPG, 495k] , ESO PR Photo 35i/97 [JPG, 366k] , ESO PR Photo 35j/97 [JPG, 579k] , ESO PR Photo 35k/97 [JPG, 540k] and ESO PR Photo 35l/97 [JPG, 452k].

They may be reproduced, if credit is given to the European Southern Observatory.

How to obtain ESO Press Information

ESO Press Information is made available on the World-Wide Web (URL: http://www.eso.org../).

Press Releases 1997

ESO Press Photos 35a-l/97

19 December 1997

High-resolution Images from the M1 Transport

How to obtain ESO Press Information