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). On the road, under the clear skies of Paranal and in view of the telecope enclosures at the top of the mountain. For security reasons the truck is escorted by two other cars and by members of the instrument team walking beside the truck. (Photo obtained on September 10, 1998).