La Silla Telescopes Overview

The 3.58-m New Technology Telescope (NTT) was the first in the world to have a computer-controled mirror. Also on La Silla is the ESO 3.6-m telescope, the 2.2-m MPG/ESO Telescope, that is on indefinite loan to ESO from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, and the ESO 1-m telescope.

In addition La Silla hosts several other national and project telescopes: the 1.54-m Danish Telescope, the 1.2-m Euler Telescope, the Rapid Eye Mount Telescope, the TAROT Telescope gamma-ray burst chaser, the TRAPPIST (TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope), and the ESO 1-m Schmidt Telescope, currenly in use for the QUEST project.These telescopes are not operated by ESO and hence do not fall under the responsibilty of La Silla Science Operations.

Telescopes in Operation

Decommisioned Telescopes

  • 1.4m CAT
  • 1.52m ESO
  • 15m SEST
  • 1m Schmidt
  • 50cm ESO
  • Grand Prism Objectif GPO
  • 90cm Dutch (National telescope)
  • 50cm Danish (National telescope)
  • Marseille 40 cm (National telescope)
  • Bochum 61cm (National telescope)
  • Marly 1m