Information from the European Southern Observatory

ESO Press Photos 15d-i/00

16 June 2000

For immediate release

Paranal Impressions: Night Falls at Paranal

Preparing for the Observations

Astronomical observations begin soon after sunset at Paranal.

Normally, they start with a series of test and calibration exposures that serve to determine the exact status of the various instruments, e.g., in terms of sensitivity at different wavelengths.

Some of these exposures are performed on a white target on the inside of the telescope enclosure, others are made on the sky, as it gets progressively darker.

If they are included in a programme, observations of comparatively bright objects may be carried out while the sky is still relatively bright. However, those of the faintest objects must wait until the period of "astronomical twilight" is over, i.e., when the Sun is at least 18° below the horizon.


ESO Press Photo 15d/00


ESO Press Photo 15d/00
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Caption: The telescope platform at sunset. From left to right are seen the enclosures of YEPUN (in the foreground), ANTU, KUEYEN and MELIPAL. (Photo obtained on March 20, 2000).

 

ESO Press Photo 15e/00


ESO Press Photo 15e/00
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Caption: ANTU during the evening start-up sequence. The last rays of the sun illuminate part of the mechanical structure. (Photo obtained on March 18, 2000).

 

ESO Press Photo 15f/00


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Caption: KUEYEN is tilted towards the horizontal position during a test exposure sequence. (Photo obtained on March 23, 2000).

 

ESO Press Photo 15g/00


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Caption: First calibration observations with ANTU after sunset. The last afterglow is visible on the FORS1 instrument, mounted within the M1 Mirror Cell at the bottom of the telescope structure. (Photo obtained on March 18, 2000).

 

ESO Press Photo 15h/00


ESO Press Photo 15h/00
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Caption: As the sky gets darker, KUEYEN is still seen in evening moonlight. (Photo obtained on March 23, 2000).

 

ESO Press Photo 15i/00


ESO Press Photo 15i/00
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Caption: The enclosures of ANTU, KUEYEN, MELIPAL and YEPUN (left to right), with the first stars in the sky, above the glow at the western horizon. (Photo obtained on March 23, 2000).


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