Open House Day 2018

Children visiting the ESO Headquarters take part in one of the experiments set up for Open House Day (OHD) 2018, which took place on Saturday 13 October, while an ESO representative is on hand to answer any questions they have. This particular experiment demonstrates how matter, including our own bodies, emits radiation other than visible light (such as infrared), and how this can be detected and used to create images. This is particularly relevant in astronomical observations, which often exploit this phenomenon as a method of imaging objects that do not emit very much visible light. Along with other institutes based at the science research centre in Garching, ESO participates in OHD, where the public are invited to explore the centre and learn about the research being conducted here. On OHD 2018, visitors were also able to explore the new Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Centre, which opened just a few months earlier in April. In addition to experiments like the one pictured, activities included guided tours, talks from ESO scientists and a live connection to ESO's sites in Chile.