First major astronomical instrument mounted on VLT

On 10 September 1998, the first scientific instrument of the VLT, FORS1, was successfully mounted on the Cassegrain focus of the first 8.2-m VLT telescope (UT1). This image is taken in front of the UT1 telescope enclosure; FORS1 and its transport carriage are lifted from the truck by means of the huge M1 cell lifting device. Here it is "hovering" over the truck. (Photo obtained on September 10, 1998).