The Public Survey VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) is a wide area (562 square degree), near-infrared, multi-epoch imaging survey of the Bulge and part of the Disk of the Milky Way. The initial survey in Z, Y, J, H and Ks is followed by extensive multi-epoch Ks-band observations. VVV photometric catalogues have now been released and are publically available for query.

The FORS2 spectra in the GOODS south field are now available as Science Data Products via the Phase 3 query form. These data were migrated to be compliant to the standard for science data products and ingested in the Science Archive via the Phase 3 infrastructure.

Applications for research fellowships at ESO supported by the European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship scheme are invited. The duration of the fellowships is 12-24 months and they are available to experienced researchers (> 4 years research experience) wishing to advance their career in the stimulating research atmosphere at ESO, subject to eligibility criteria. Application must first be made to ESO and, when accepted, an application is subsequently made to the EU. Full details can be found here. The deadline for the application to ESO is 11 August 2014, and 11 September 2014 for the EU application.

The 94th Observing Programmes Committee met on 19–22 May 2014. A total of 1170.8 (8-hour equivalent) nights of visitor and service mode observations have been allocated on the VLT, VISTA, VST, the 3.6-metre, NTT and APEX telescopes.

Of the 86 proposals submitted for the Science Verification (SV) of MUSE, a total of 49 proposals were allocated. The MUSE SV observations ran from 20–29 June 2014 and were executed in service mode by a dedicated team, although not all programmes have been completed. Additional SV time is currently under consideration for scheduling in August.