La Silla Observatory turns 50!
ESO's first observatory is turning 50 years old.
La Silla has been observing the Chilean night sky since 1969, and has made some impressive discoveries...
...including the accelerating expansion of the Universe...
...and observing the first light from a gravitational wave source.
Among its instruments is HARPS, an exoplanet hunter that has discovered scores of alien worlds.
La Silla has paved the way for new telescope technology...
...survived snowstorms and earthquakes...
...and shows no signs of slowing down.
Transcribed by ESO; translated by –