Petroglyphs around La Silla

A full Moon bathes the rocky desert landscape surrounding ESO's La Silla Observatory in a faint white light. Rocks littered around the Chilean site are covered with ancient drawings — petroglyphs — carved into the stone. Marks such as these cup-shaped examples are found all over the world and can help provide insights into the ancient civilisations that once called these places home.

In the distance, the top of the ESO 3.6-metre telescope can be seen beneath a sea of stars.