Aerial sunset over Paranal

This remarkable image was taken using a quadcopter, hovering high above the Atacama. Ocean, cloud and desert come together to form the aerial scene, stretching out along the Chilean coast.

ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) is softly illuminated by the Sun as it sets in the evening sky, throwing hues of orange and apricot across the observatory. On an adjacent peak towards the right of the frame, the 4.1-metre Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) stands apart, cutting a more solitary figure.

The region in front of the VLT, filled with a lattice-like grid of rails, is used by the four small movable VLT Auxiliary Telescopes. Placing these telescopes at different distances apart adjusts the effective size of the VLT Interferometer, which acts as a single giant stargazer.

Credit:

G.Hüdepohl (atacamaphoto.com)/ESO

About the Image

Id:potw1535a
Type:Photographic
Release date:31 August 2015, 10:21
Size:5086 x 3511 px

About the Object

Name:Very Large Telescope
Type:Unspecified : Technology : Observatory
Category:Paranal

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