ESO Video Material
ESO has produced a number of promotional movies on different subjects for the public. This page lists movies that are currently available. They can be obtained from the Public Affairs Department at cost. To order, please consult the Order Form.
Science on Stage - Science for Humanity (June 2006, 15:50 min)
During 21-25 November 2005 almost 500 science educators from twenty-seven countries across Europe and beyond met at CERN in Geneva to participate in the "Science on Stage" teaching festival.
The festival is an integral part of the European Science Teachers' Initiative (ESTI), conducted by Europe's leading intergovernmental research organisations - CERN, EFDA, EMBL, ESA, ESO, ESRF and ILL - that make up the EIROforum partnership. ESTI is also is part of the NUCLEUS science education programme with strong co-funding by the European Commission.
The ultimate goal of the Science on Stage programme is to stimulate innovative and attractive science teaching in Europe's schools. This is seen as a vital element in the effort to reverse the current decline in the number of young people that are prepared to pursue tertiary education and careers in science and technology.
To this end the Festival provided rich opportunities for discussion, exchange of ideas and best practice, networking and interaction with scientists, engaged in cutting edge science at Europe´s leading research facilities.
This film presents highlights of the 2005 "Science on Stage" teaching festival, providing a superb example of how the EIROforum partnership contributes to fostering better science education in Europe.
DVD Video, English version
Clip from ESO Video 022 |
Science on Stage - Science for Humanity |
EUROPE REACHES FOR THE STARS - FORTY YEARS ESO (2002, 51:37 min)
In 1954, a group of leading European astronomers signed a declaration aiming at establishing a joint research organisation capable of providing observing infrastructures that would enable European astronomy to regain the leading position it had enjoyed until the beginning of the 20th century. Eight years later, on October 5, 1962, this led to the signing of an international convention giving birth to ESO. Forty years hence, ESO has established itself as one of the world's most important research centres for astronomy. This video tells the story - all the way from the humble beginnings until today when ESO operates the most powerful optical/infrared telescope on Earth, the VLT, and ending with an overview of the exciting prospects for the near future (ALMA, OWL...). Prepared on the occasion of the 40th anniversary in October 2002. Available in English (No. 21E), French (No. 21F) and German (No. 21G). This video material is also available as Video tape and as DVD.
Clip A from ESO Video 021 A 15-min extract from this film may be seen here on three video clips, in MPEG (A [6:11 min; 8.4M], B [4:26 min; 6.0M], C [4:45 min; 6.4M]) and Real Media (A, B, C) formats. |
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LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (February 2002, 20:26 min)
The Life in the Universe Science Festival formed an important part of the European Science and Technology Week 2001, an initiative by the European Commission to raise the public awareness of science in Europe.
Life in the Universe was jointly organised by CERN, ESA and ESO, in co-operation with the European Association for Astronomy Education (EAAE). Other research organisations were associated with the programme, e.g., EMBL and ESRF.
The "Life in the Universe" programme comprised competitions in 23 European countries to identify the best projects from school students. The projects could be scientific or a piece of art, a theatrical performance, poetry or even a musical performance. The only restriction was that the final work must be based on scientific evidence.
Winning teams from each country were invited to CERN on 8-11 November, 2001, to present their projects to a panel of International Experts during a special three-day "Final Event" devoted to understanding the possibility of other life forms existing in our Universe. This event also included a spectacular 90-min webcast from CERN with the highlights of the programme.
This video (with spoken commentary) documents the Final Event. It was produced by the ESO Video Team for the Life in the Universe International Steering Committee. It may be ordered from ESO, cf. the order information. A 6:57 min video clip (ESO PR Video Clip 01/02 ) with extracts from the present video is available in MPEG and RM formats, also via the Life in the Universe webpage.
Clip from Life in the Universe Final Event Video |
Life in the Universe |
PHYSICS ON STAGE (December 2000 - 18:10 min)
The Physics On Stage Science Festival formed an important part of the European Science and Technology Week 2000, an initiative by the European Commission to raise the public awareness of science in Europe.
The Physics On Stage programme was jointly organised by CERN, ESA and ESO, in collaboration with the European Physical Society (EPS) and the European Association for Astronomy Education (EAAE) and national organisations in about 25 European countries. During the final phase, more than 500 physics teachers, government officials and media representatives gathered at CERN in Geneva during November 6-11, 2000, to discuss different aspects of physics education. The meeting was particular timely in view of the current decline of interest in physics and technology by Europe's citizens, especially schoolchildren. It included spectacular demonstrations of new educational materials and methods.
This video (with spoken commentary) documents the Science Festival at CERN. It conveys the great enthusiasm of the many participants who spent an extremely fruitful week, meeting and exchanging information with colleagues from all over the continent. It shows the various types of activities that took place, from the central "fair" with national and organisational booths to the exciting performances and other dramatic presentations. Based of the outcome of 13 workshops that focussed on different subject matters, a series of very useful recommendations was passed at the final session. The meeting was visited by several high-ranking officials, including the European Commissioner for Research, Phillipe Busquin.
The video was produced by the ESO Video Team for the Physics On Stage International Steering Committee. It may be ordered from ESO, cf. the order information. A 2:30 min video clip (ESO PR Video Clip 01/01 ) with extracts from the present video is available in MPEG and RM formats, also via the Physics On Stage webpage.
Clip from Physics On Stage Festival Video |
Physics On Stage Festival |
ASTRONOMY TO THE POWER OF FOUR (1999 ,19:33 min)
An overview of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the science and the technology behind this large project. Includes scenes from the moment of First Light of ANTU (UT1) in May 1998. Prepared on the occasion of the Paranal Inauguration in March 1999. Available in English (No. 20E), French (No. 20F) and Spanish (No. 20C).
Clip from ESO Video 020 |
Astronomy to the Power of Four |
IMAGING COSMIC DAWN (October 1999, 05:37 min)
This video was produced by EPR in connection with a conference in Washington D.C. (USA) on October 6-8, 1999: Science with a Large Millimeter Telescope Array. It is available on a CD-ROM in different versions, cf. the dedicated CD-ROM webpage.
It presents the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) , one of the largest ground-based astronomy projects of the next decade. ALMA will be comprised of some 64 12-meter, submillimeter-quality antennas at the high-altitude (5000 m) Llano de Chajnantor, possible the world's best site for millimeter astronomy, close to San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. The video includes two impressive new computer animations of the full ALMA facility, see also ESO PR Video Clip 08/99.
A GIANT MIRROR'S BEST SUPPORT (1997, 10:30 min)
This video informs about the active optics system incorporated into the cell that supports the 8.2-m main mirror. This is a crucial part of the innovative VLT concept. Available in English (No. 18E).
Clip from ESO Video 018 |
A Giant Mirror's Best Support |
MOMENTS OF CELEBRATION (1997, 15:04 min)
Documents the Paranal Foundation Event in December 1996. Available in English (No. 17E) and Spanish (No. 17C). Clip from ESO Video 017 |
Moments of Celebration |
POLISHED PERFECTION (1996, 18:08 min)
This video documents the first part of the manufacturing process of one of the 8.2-m mirror blanks for the ESO VLT. Available in English (No. 015-E) and German (No. 015-G). Clip from ESO Video 015 |
Polished Perfection |
